Location: 31 Homewood Dr., Carbondale, IL 62902
Website: https://boocastlepark.com/
This is an amazing park if you're up for a drive (It's a little over 2 hours from St. Louis). It was created in 2005 and has a Dungeons and Dragons theme. The centerpiece is a very large wood and stone castle that has an elaborate jungle gym of tunnels, stairs, and bridges. Hidden doors and passageways invite the small and flexible; most adults are content to walk the battlements. Gargoyles and knights guard the ramparts. An ogre with a spiked club stands atop the portcullis, and an extensive sword collection is bolted to the lofty inner ceiling of one of the towers. Small treasures are scattered throughout the maze of towers for the eye to discover.
The play area is enclosed with a fence, and there are port-a-pottys, a drinking fountain, some benches, and some sand to play in.