Larkspur Park

One of the better all-around parks in Bend, Larkspur has enough going on that kids of different ages can actually spread out and do their own thing — little ones on the climbing structure, older kids shooting hoops, everyone happy. The water feature is a solid bonus on hot Central Oregon afternoons, and the shade trees plus covered seating mean parents aren’t roasting while they wait. Slides, swings, climbing — the basics are all covered and well-maintained, which isn’t something you can say about every park in town. Restrooms are clean, parking is easy, and the open grass field gives you room to actually breathe. It’s the kind of place locals come back to because it just works.