Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202
This entirely redeveloped entertainment space for families is located in the middle of the Summerfest grounds at Henry Maier Festival Park, and it offers inclusive and accessible play for children ages 2-12 years of age.
For open hours, check their website.
Families will find all new enhanced age-appropriate playground equipment on a soft surface, interactive musical play pieces, and ramps allowing for wheelchair access.
Parents will love the shaded seating within the playground area, perfect for supervising from afar and snack breaks.
Read more about Northwestern Mutual Community Park >>
Franklin Woods Nature Park, 3723 W. Puetz Rd., Franklin, WI 53132
Kayla’s Playground looks like a whimsical dream from the moment you catch sight of it, and it doesn’t disappoint.
You’ll pass through a colorful entrance sign to get into the playground. The one entrance and exit makes it easier to keep track of your kids.
From wide, fully-accessible ramps, two huge stainless steel slides, a rope climb, and a robust area for young children, this playground has something for everyone.
Read more about Kayla’s Playground >>
Upper Lake Park, 554 N. Lake St., Port Washington, WI 53074
Website
Possibility Playground is located in Upper Lake Park in Port Washington, about a 40-minute drive from the city of Milwaukee. It offers a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and plenty of picnic space.
This whimsical, universally-accessible, enclosed play area was the first of its kind in metro Milwaukee when it was built in 2008. It was built entirely with donated funds, materials and labor.
Since then, it was named one of the 10 best playgrounds in the country by USA Today, and has been used by thousands of children and parents.
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W244 N6260 Weaver Dr., Susssex, WI 53089
Readers are raving about The Grove at Village Park in Sussex, about a 30-minute drive from the city of Milwaukee.
The 14,000-square-foot inclusive playground includes a zip line, tall towers, climbing structures, slides, and more.
There’s also a 5,200-square-foot inclusive splash pad that features three different areas of play: active, family and toddler.
Read more about Sussex Village Park >>
Just a short 30-minute drive from Milwaukee is a beautiful nature center with a renovated nature play space just for kids.
The new Discovery Trail includes a variety of “Exploration Stations” for outdoor education, sensory-based play experiences, and STEM activities for families and school groups.
Other additions include a gateway feature, a stone seat wall gathering space, nature exploration stations – including insect, wood, animal tracks, and a giant eagle’s nest – as well as a habitat free-play area, boulder scramble, and native plant observation areas.
Read more about Discovery Trail >>
6. Fox River Park
W264 S4500 River Rd., Waukesha, WI 53189
This award-winning natural playground is located in Waukesha’s Fox River Park between picnic areas 1 and 2. The standout feature is the 33-foot side-by-side slides built into the side of a hill.
The play area was designed and built in 2008 by landscape architects at the Waukesha Parks and Recreation Department. They were inspired by Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods,” a reflection on children’s weakening connection to nature in a modern world and the need for playgrounds that incorporate natural elements.
Kids will love the giant boulder to climb on and the spiral-designed sandbox. There’s also a play area for smaller kids (with a smaller slide, build into a smaller hill!).
Animal discovery is emphasized at the park with a natural rain garden and butterfly garden. Kids will find butterflies, insects, frogs, and more.
The play area is near picnic areas and bathrooms, as well as walking trails and open fields, so it’s a good location to spend an entire morning or afternoon.
The playground won the 2019 Excellence Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Fox River Park is a 257-acre park located on the Fox River and is full of mature woodlands, wetlands, marsh, and many species of wild flowers, birds, and wildlife. There are 2.25 miles of paved trails and 4.3 miles of wooded trails for hiking, biking, and rollerblading.
Admission is $4.00 per car, or you can use your Waukesha County Parks pass.