Howarth Park Playground

If you haven’t made it out to Howarth Park yet, you’re missing one of Everett’s better-kept secrets — the bay views alone are worth the trip. The playground got a solid renovation recently, so you’re working with fresh rubber matting underfoot and slides that actually hold up, including a wide one big enough for a parent and kid to go down together. Bucket swings make it workable for the little ones, and there’s enough shade from the trees that you won’t be melting on the benches while you watch the kids run. The open grass field and paved walking path give you options when everyone needs a break from the structure, and the forest trails nearby mean you can easily stretch the outing into a longer adventure. Restrooms, picnic tables, parking — it’s all here, and it doesn’t feel overcrowded the way some Everett parks do on weekends.