Teddy & Friends Playground at Queeny Park, Ballwin

Location: 550 Weidman Rd., St. Louis, MO 63131

Amenities: Fishing, trails, tennis courts, playground, seasonal indoor ice rink (October to February)

Website: http://www.stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ParkPages/Queeny

Playground ground cover: Poured rubber

Queeny Park was amazing, but it failed to pass inspection in 2023, so it was replaced with an Unlimited Play Playground that opened in August 2025. 

I had to leave photos of the old 1974 playground up because it was so iconic. The new playground is called Teddy & Friends after Teddy Gooch. He was diagnosed with dwarfism. This playground is board game-themed, centered on games like Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, Connect Four, and Teddy's favorite- Chess. There is also a "Game of Life" car doubling as a glider, and a "Don't Break the Ice" parallel play rope piece. The entrance features a big hippo, and the sun shades have the Twister pattern on them, too. So fun! With a board game theme and specialized ADA‑accessible design, families, especially those with children of differing abilities, will have more reasons than ever to play together at this wonderful playground! 

Vlasis Park, Ballwin

Location: 300 Park Dr, Ballwin, MO 63011

Amenities: Vlasis Park covers 31 acres and features a baseball diamond, a playground, four tennis courts, restrooms, two ponds (one of which is stocked with fish), two pavilions, a walking path, and a sand volleyball court.

Website: https://www.ballwin.mo.us/About-Our-Parks/

Playground ground cover: Poured rubber and astroturf

This park features a huge playground, with areas for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. The playground and splashpad were redone in late 2024 and the new playground is just incredible. 

Old playground

I love that they added this new restroom building right next to the playground because the old playground didn't have a restroom nearby. It was all the way up the hill and not convenient. That one is still there but it's nice that they have this new one too. 

Sensory area with musical instruments, instrument boards, and more. 

Tilt this to make the balls move through the maze

There is an astroturf area with swings, a boulder, and a small webbed climber. 

There are 4 sling swings, an ADA swing, and a modified expression swing. 

Modified merry-go-round

The new 3 story play structure has lots of slides, ramps, a rock wall, a steering wheel,  hammocks, and tons of ways to climb. 

2 baby swings

The splash pad

I love that they created these new areas at the top of the hill. They have one on each side, one with slides and the other with a webbed climber. 

Fun little manipulatives on each side of the ramp. 

Small covered pavilion near the playground and splashpad.

Free little library

Beautiful lake

Restroom building up the hill