Mickey Markey Park

One of the better-kept secrets in the Bywater, this little park punches above its weight for families with toddlers and preschoolers. The enclosed play area keeps little ones contained while you actually sit down for a minute — there’s real shade here, not just a token tree, so summer visits are actually doable. Kids tend to gravitate toward the sandbox and the musical equipment, which always gets a reaction from the under-five crowd. Benches and shaded seating mean parents aren’t standing around suffering. Locals rely on it hard, and it shows.