Dawson Playfield

 Sticking with our Southend park tour, our next stop is just a little further south from the Portland Avenue Park, the Dawson Playfield in Midland, WA. This is a real hidden gem for those seeking play equipment; the playground boast a ton of options from slides to climbing structures and swings. Adjacent to the playground is a large covered picnic area perfect for watching kids during our rainy NW days. Dawson Playfield also has tennis courts (although they needed to be resurfaced), basketball hoops, baseball field (once again the surface was pretty dicey), and a small gravel walking path. This park is not huge but because of the play equipment is a recommended stop for families in the Midland, Tacoma or Puyallup areas. 

 

 

Ratings for this park:                                         
Age: 1-10
Playground: Yes
Bike Area: Yes but limited unless done on gravel walking path or courts 
Sports Equipment: Yes                Highlights: Size and variety of what the playground offers. Crowd Levels: Only been once and no one was there.   
Hours: Dusk till dawn

Click here for directions on Google Maps.

Portland Avenue Park

The Portland Avenue Park is our first Tacoma, WA park featured on the PSPPG. This park is just south of I-5 off the Portland Avenue exit. The park has a playground with limited play equipment that caters to younger children. However the parks footprint is very large that boasts a large open play area with walking path along with a basketball court, and tennis courts. There is also a wading pool (click here for details) and community center on site so I'm sure at times this park can get hopping. But if you are looking for a place to fly a kite, kick a soccer ball, play catch, or just relax under the covered gazebo in our unpredictable NW weather this could be a great spot for those in the local Tacoma area. 

Ratings for this park:                                         
Age: 1-18
Playground: Yes but for younger kids                         
Bike Area: Yes but limited unless done on gravel walking path          Sports Equipment: Yes                Highlights: Big open field perfect for flying kites or playing sports.   Crowd Levels: Only been once and no one was there.   
Hours: Dusk till dawn

Click here for directions from Google Maps.

Jones Park

I stumbled upon Jones Park in Renton, WA one day when I was out on a business call. The park is just north of the old downtown area and is bordered on one side by the Cedar River. The park is smaller but the play equipment had many unique features that are worth checking out if you have kids under the age of 6. This park also offers a ton of shade, see the tree made gazebo, for pinics and a walking path next to the river. If you are looking for a unique way to get your kids out for a day come play at this park and then walk the short distance to the Renton City Library for some reading time. Overall this park is a great find for those who live close and need to run little legs.

Ratings for this park:                                         
Age: 1-6 (maybe a little older depending on the kids)
Playground: Yes                                                   
Bike Area: No                                                    Sports Equipment: No                                
Highlights: Next to the Cedar River which is always fun for the kids.                               Crowd Levels: Only been by a few times but every time the park has been empty.     
Hours: Dusk till dawn

Click here for direction via Google Maps

E.C. Hughes

E.C. Hughs is a great little neighborhood park tucked away in West Seattle's Highland Park neighborhood. The park is often used on weekends in the Spring, Summer, and Fall for soccer and baseball games so there are times this park can be packed during these events. However most of the time the park offers a great big area to play sports with your kids, a playground that is great for 7 and under, a city wading pool (check the city calendar for times this is open), and large paved basketball court area that sometimes doubles are a place for bike riding. Additionally parking around the park is plentiful. Overall this park won't wow you with all the new bells and whistles but the simplicity and open space make it a great place to run some of that pent up energy out of your kids.

Ratings for this park:                                                
Age: 2-10 (although the playground is really more for 7 and under)
Playground: Yes                                                    Bike Area: Yes but this area also is a basketball court so if games are going on then not very suitable although there is a small paved path that could also work.                                                  
Sports Equipment: Yes                                  
Highlights: Simple park that is a throw back to yesteryear.
Crowd Levels: During games weekend this park can get packed but otherwise it is normally uncrowded.     
Hours: Dusk till dawn

Click here for direction via Google Maps

Sanislo Elementary School Playground

 

This school park is a real hidden gem in the West Seattle area. It offers a newly installed playground that will keep kids 2-10 entertained. However the true gem of this park is the expansive, relatively level, paved area that is the perfect spot for kids to learn to ride bikes, trikes, or skateboards. This paved area also offers basketball goals, four-square, a large map of the Unite States, and hopscotch. There is also a big circle path that goes around a nice grass area with a backstop (not primo but would suffice for learning) and a nature trail area. 

But the real gem of this play area is a 9-hole Frisbee disc golf course. Once again while not being in primo condition its still fun and gives the disc golfer loving parent something to do while keeping an eye on the kids.                                          

Ratings for this park:                                                  
Age: 2-10 (maybe a little older depending on the kids)
Playground: Yes                                                          
Bike Area: Yes                                                      
Sports Equipment: Yes                                  
Highlights: Nature area, Frisbee disk golf (9-hole), and big paved area                                                                
Crowd Levels: We've been to this park 4 times and the most kids beyond our 2 has been 4. Never see many kids here so great place to enjoy some uncrowded play time.    
Hours: Dusk till dawn but it is a school

 

Click on image to get directions from Google Maps