Lions Park Playground

If you live anywhere near New Brighton, this spot is probably already on your rotation — and for good reason. The zipline alone is worth the trip, but there’s also a solid climbing structure, merry go round, and slides that keep kids busy long enough for parents to actually sit down. It backs right up to the beach, so you can make a whole afternoon of it with the BBQ area and picnic tables on hand. The rubberized ground surface and that lion-shaped drinking fountain are nice touches — everything feels well-maintained, not like it’s been forgotten by the parks department. Toddlers through teens all find something here, which is rarer than you’d think.