Shannon Israelsen

Ok, my kids love this park and regularly request to go here even with all of the parks that we have to choose from. We’d probably give it a 5….some people may question a 5-star rating for this park, but if you have little kids it’s really great. For older kids, it would probably be much less exciting, so I’m giving it an overall 4-star rating. If you have little kids I think you’ll find this small enclosed park to be pretty great! It is heavily shaded for a majority of the day thanks to the many large trees surrounding the playground. There are two little kid swings, a small play set with a double slide for the littles, and a larger play set for the bigger kids, as well as a small sand pit. A couple of benches, a large picnic table, and a small picnic table perfect for kids to sit at. The playground is fully enclosed by a fence (big plus!) and outside the fence are two more picnic tables. The park is NOT quiet since you can literally see I66 from here, but I personally don’t find it too bothersome. This park has never been busy when we’ve come; it’s usually just us or one other family/group.

Really great playground all year round! There are two playgrounds, each separately fenced in and just one entrance/exit so that it’s easier to keep track of little ones. The equipment provides lots of entertainment, plus there is ample room to run around. Lots of swings, including adaptive swings and “mommy and me” swings where an adult can swing with babies/toddlers.
In the summer, the splash pad between the two playgrounds is a huge hit and lots of fun! This area is NOT fenced in. There are some tables to eat at and benches, some of which are in the shade. Speaking of shade, there is very little and NONE of the play equipment or splash pad is shaded. As a result, the slides and swings get way too hot to play on and therefore the playgrounds are totally empty and the splash pad is packed. Honestly, though, the water is so fun that not many kids want to do anything else anyway. Bring sunscreen and plan on lots of fun! Note: shoes are required at the splash pad.
One last thing: it’s like planes, trains and automobiles at this park - you see planes taking off and landing, trains going by, and cars and trucks on the street (and right now with all the construction there are plenty of trucks). My little boy loves the park for this, so if your kid is like mine be sure to check it out!

This is a great park! The play equipment a mix of newer and older and not necessarily the best Arlington has to offer, but my kids loved it as well as the large sand pit to play in. There were tons of donated toys that have been left at this park - several Little Tikes cars, at least a dozen trucks, slides, a play kitchen and other play equipment. It was like playing in someone else’s really great backyard (because other peoples toys are always more exciting). *My experience with this stuff means that it will fluctuate and change often, but this park seems to be a big benefactor of local donations, so it seems likely new things will show up* This won’t be everyone’s “cup of tea” but my kids loved it and could have stayed all day. Not much shade, so prepare accordingly.

The playground itself is small with just a couple of slides. No swings or additional play equipment. The playground is in sand as opposed to mulch, so the little ones find that to be a plus. While the playground isn’t very big, it’s in a beautiful setting right next to the rose garden and in the spring you can see all of the beautiful azalea bushes close by. Some large trees provide good shade for a large portion of the day. We came to see the flowers and were happy to find a playground at all! Tons of parking in the parking lot next to the gardens. If you walk a couple minutes north you’ll find the playground at Westover or another one tucked in the woods next to the large picnic pavilion.