North Market Square Park

This little park punches well above its weight for a quiet Iowa City neighborhood spot. Kids get a solid mix of gear — slides, swings, a tire swing, a seesaw, a climbing structure, sandbox, and even a maze to burn off some energy. Meanwhile, parents actually have somewhere decent to sit, with real shade trees and shaded seating that make summer afternoons bearable. The basketball court draws the older crowd, and the walking path gives you something to do while the little ones wear themselves out. It’s the kind of place where you recognize half the people there, which says a lot.