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.

Charles J. Evola Park, Charlack

Location: 8537 Forest Ave., Charlack, MO 63114

Website: https://www.cityofcharlack.gov/parks

Playground Ground Cover: Astroturf and rubber chips

This used to be the city park but they renamed it in honor of a long-time public works director who died from cancer. The playground was completely replaced in late 2024. The pavilion has 12 tables and is next to the playground and restroom building.

The plays tructure has slides, a maze board, stepping stones, and lots of bars and poles for climbing. 

Love this new bridge that goes across the creek to the upper part of the park. 

This playground has a boulder you can climb on and some notched logs. 

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.