Mockingbird Park, Ellisville

Location: 1044 Bridgeport Dr., Ellisville, MO 63011

Amenities: Playground, picnic table, grill, water fountain, trail, creek

Website: http://www.ellisville.mo.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={7360F4CA-52DB-4B5D-9154-6FE89647F56E}

Playground ground cover:  Astroturf

This is a nice, quiet neighborhood playground. It was replaced with a brand new one in early 2025. Because it's in a residential neighborhood, there are not many parking spaces or a public restroom, so just keep that in mind. 

They added a drinking fountain and a covered pavilion with 2 picnic tables. 

There are 2 play structures, and the larger one has slides, a chain climber, a log roller, a steering wheel, and various bars and poles for climbing. 

There are 2 baby swings, 2 sling slings, and a cool mirrored tunnel.

The smaller play structure has a climbing wall, slides, and various bars and poles.

The creek is right next to the playground and is super easy to get to.

The trail goes over the bridge and is about a mile in length.

Margaret Stoecker Park, Manchester

Location: 224 Henry Ave, Manchester, MO 63021

Amenities: playground, picnic shelter, walking path, restroom

Website: http://manchestermo.gov/923/City-Parks

Playground ground cover: Wood chips

Literally a hidden gem of park playgrounds, you can't see the playground from the parking lot. Take the paved nature trail down a short hill to find the nature-themed playground. There's equipment for toddlers through school-aged children, with various slides and climbing walls, ropes, etc. There's a spinning ball that kids can climb inside of - a unique take on a merry-go-round. Separate from the main equipment is a swing set with a sling swing and a baby swing, a traditional merry-go-round, and a climbing structure shaped like a bug. The restroom is adjacent to this playground section and was quite clean the day we visited. There's also a small picnic shelter and an area under the trees past the playground. 

 

 

 

Minnie Wood Memorial Square, St. Louis City

Location: 4150 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63118

Amenities: playground, ball fields

Website: http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks/view-park.cfm?parkID=64&parkName=Minniewood%20Park

Playground ground cover: Poured rubber

The playground at Minnie Wood Memorial Square in south St. Louis is newer and was replaced sometime after 2019 and before 2021. I can't find the exact date online. I was surprised to see this new playground because the previous playground was installed in 2007 and wasn't that old. There is also a splash pad here with a pole that shoots out water. I had to get a photo online because I was there in the fall after it was turned off for the year. 

photo credit: http://www.historyhappenshere.org/archives/3628

This is the playground that was installed in 2007 

The grass really needed to be cut.

The smaller play structure has a maze board, bongo drums, some slides, and a climbing wall.

The larger structure has some slides, chain climbers, a bridge, maze boards, stepping stones, and lots of bars and poles. 

There are 2 baby swings and 4 sling swings