Oakland Avenue Playground

If you’re heading to the St. Louis Zoo, this little playground is worth a stop before or after — it’s right there on Oakland Avenue and honestly a solid spot on its own. The shade trees actually do their job, which you’ll appreciate on a hot Missouri afternoon with kids in tow. Equipment is well-kept, nothing broken or sketchy, which isn’t something you can say about every city playground. Good for the 2-12 crowd, and it stays clean enough that you’re not side-eyeing everything before letting the little ones loose.