Terry and Frances Park

Sitting right on the lake’s edge in Springfield Lakes, this one has a nautical vibe that the slightly older kids seem to genuinely get into. It’s not the most gear-heavy park around — you’ve got a climbing structure and some swings, and that’s pretty much your lot — but honestly, the waterfront setting does a lot of the heavy lifting. Chuck some snags on the BBQ, claim a bench, and let the kids burn energy on the open grass while you actually relax for once. Parking’s easy too, which is more than you can say for half the parks in the area.