Central Park, Maplewood

Location: Bounded by Walter and Elm Aves, Maplewood, MO 63143

Website: https://www.cityofmaplewood.com/government/departments/maplewood_local_parks___amenities.php

Playground Ground Cover: Astroturf

This is a long, skinny neighborhood park, and the playground takes up most of it. It was replaced in late 2024 and is completely fenced-in and gated. There is a toddler area with several activity boards, benches, covered picnic tables, and an area for bigger kids. 

The playground has a large webbed climbing structure, slides, tree stumps, a pretend window, and several hammocks. The playground has a treehouse theme and is a nice improvement over the old one. 

Des Peres Park, Des Peres

Location: 12325 Manchester Rd., Des Peres, MO 63131

Amenities: 

• 3 Baseball / Softball Fields (April - July)
• Bike / Jogging Trail (one mile, half mile, and quarter mile tracks)
• Reservable Gazebo
• Lake / Fishing (2 acres, lake stocked with blue gill, bass, and catfish)
• 6 Lighted Tennis Courts
• 3 Lighted Pickleball Courts
• 1 Multi-Purpose Court
• Nature Area
• Parcourse Fitness Trail
• Reservable Picnic Pavilion with Grill (Reservable April - November)
• Picnic Sites
• Play Fountain (Memorial Day-Labor Day, controls by bathroom entrance)
• 2 Playgrounds (tot playground and 5-12 year-old playground)
• Rest Rooms (year-round)
• Shuffleboard Courts
• 2 Soccer Fields (Second week in August - Second week in November)

Website: http://www.desperesmo.org/87/Des-Peres-Park

Playground ground cover: Rubber mats, poured rubber, and astroturf

Des Peres Park has 2 very nice playgrounds fairly close to each other. One is designed for younger children, and the other is for kids 5 and up.  The larger playground has several slides, a climbing wall, a zip line, a pretend window, maze boards, ramps, and a splash pad (seasonal).  The button to turn on the splash pad is by the restrooms - there is no sign to direct you to the button. There's also a great little trail that goes around a lake, with a wooden boardwalk. There are usually ducks and geese to watch in the lake.

The tot playground was replaced in 2024. It has many wonderful features including a we-go-round (modified merry-go-round for kids of all abilities), a roller slide, astroturf hills, and more!

These astroturf bumps are fun!

This webbed structure is cool with lots of options for climbing.

There are 2 sling swings, an ADA swing, and 2 baby swings.

The play structure has a gear board, a bubble window, slides, a small rock wall, a steering wheel, a tic-tac-toe board, and lots of bars and poles. 

The larger playground for kids over 5 has a large play structure with slides, tunnels, maze boards, ramps, drums, and lots of bars and poles for climbing. 

Overhead photos from their website