Scott Park

Honestly, this is one of the better spots in Iowa City if you’ve got a toddler in tow — the equipment is newer, the swings are solid, and little kids actually have room to roam on the open grass without getting underfoot of older kids. It sits right up against the tree line, so you get that shady, woodsy feel without having to hike anywhere. Pack a lunch because the picnic tables get good afternoon shade, and the paved trail that winds through the natural area is genuinely pleasant — not just a parking lot loop. Restrooms and parking make it easy for the whole morning crowd, and if you’ve got a dog, there’s access nearby that makes it a two-birds-one-stone kind of outing.