Gene Autry Park Playground

Honestly, this is one of those parks that Mesa gets right. The shade trees actually do their job, so even on a hot afternoon you can find a decent spot on the benches without melting. Kids have plenty to work with — slides, a climbing structure, swings including those inclusive dual swings for parents with little ones, and a merry-go-round that never seems to get old. The open grass field gives older kids room to spread out and run while toddlers stay busy closer to the equipment. It’s a quiet neighborhood spot, not a scene, which is exactly why the regulars keep coming back.