Hesse Park, O'Fallon IL

Location: 810 Madison Dr., O'Fallon, IL 62269

Website: https://ofallonparksandrec.com/parks/hesse-park/

Playground Ground Cover: Wood chips

Amenities:

• Baseball fields
• Basketball courts
• Bike Trail
• Soccer fields
• Pickleball courts
• Pavilions with BBQ grills

                                                                                        

This playground is large and partly shaded. It has a rock wall, a steering wheel, ramps, interactive boards, a tic-tac-toe board, a tunnel, slides, and monkey bars. 

There is an ADA swing, a baby swing, and 6 sling swings.

Restrooms

The Heights Playground and Outdoor Classroom, Richmond Heights

Location: 8001 Dale Ave, Richmond Heights, MO 63117

Website: https://www.richmondheights.org/departments/parks___recreation_cooperative/facilities___parks/parks/index.php

Playground Ground Cover: Astroturf

This playground is amazing! It includes an outdoor nature classroom. Here is a wonderful article about all the features and benefits of Nature Classrooms. There are now several in the St. Louis area! In addition to this one, here's a list of the other Nature Classrooms:

• The Green Center in St. Louis, MO
• Kids International Early Childhood Center in Ellisville, MO
• Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, MO
• Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO
• Towne Park in Foristell, MO
• Anne O. Albrecht Nature Playscape in Forest Park 

You can also swim here. Here's that post. 

The playground is at the back of the Heights

 The outdoor classroom has several areas: building, movement, gathering, nature art, messy play, and climbing. 

                                          

                              

 Messy play area complete with sandpit

 Nature Art Area

Building area

                              

                                           

                              

                                            

                                

                                

This playground is completely enclosed with a fence and a locking gate. It was replaced in 2025 and has everything, including large gear boards, a modified merry-go-round, boulders to climb on, tunnels, slides, bubble windows, bridges, ramps, and shaded picnic benches.

Tall enclosed bridge

Another cool interactive board