Location: 2232-2292 Old State Hwy A, Festus, MO 63028
Website: https://www.cityoffestus.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/West-City-Park-23
Playground Ground Cover: Wood Chips & Poured Rubber
Larry G. Crites Memorial Park (formerly West City Park) is located near the City's western boundary. Bordered on the east by Joachim Creek, the park includes more than 100 acres of open space, pavilions, ball fields, water features, and more. Larry G. Crites Memorial Park boasts one of the newest and most modern ball field complexes in the region. It also features a three-acre lake, a fairground area for large events, and a 1.5-mile bicycle trail. The park name was changed in 2020 after longtime park superintendent Larry Crites lost his battle with cancer.
There are several playgrounds in this park; the first one is by the ball fields.
I like that this playground is protected from the hot sun, and also that there is a traditional merry-go-round (you don't see many of those around anymore). The play structure features several slides, stepping stones, a webbed climber, and various bars and poles.
Picnic tables, concessions, and restrooms.
In 2025, they added a huge new all-inclusive playground and a splash pad, also by the ball fields. The splash pad is called Turtle Cove.
These aqua logs are cool. As water flows down into each log, kids can use the lever in each one to close off the flow and watch the water fill up and spill over the side. And when they open the flow up again, they’ll watch how the water changes. This glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) structure is ADA accessible.
This aqua rock shoots water out of the top.
The frogs shoot water jets
This 17-foot structure slowly builds anticipation along with a whole lot of water. Once the large, funnel-shaped bucket is full, a generous flood wooshes out the bottom, splashes off the platform roofs in three different directions onto users below. Random and unexpected fun, the best kind.
Users of all ages and abilities can climb the non-slip stairs to the top and race down the slide bed. Not only is it a thrilling ride, but nozzles spray onto the slide making it a splashing good time. Even more, there is an ADA transfer point for users of all abilities to join in the fun.
This interactive water table has a central bubbler that pushes water up to form a pool that overflows onto each component. Water can be controlled from each corner, giving kids complete power over the water flow—where it goes, even how fast or slow it flows. This unique hexagon-shaped play area makes room for kids of all abilities to socialize and discover the many possibilities of cause and effect in cooperative water play.
There are two baby swings, two sling swings, a modified expression swing, and two ADA swings.
This fun hill has a bridge, a slide, and encourages climbing and rolling.
The play structure features numerous fun and engaging elements, including slides, ramps, a rocking boat, stepping stones, cable climbers, maze boards, floating steps, and a rolley slide.
Keeping with the turtle theme
The next playground is across the street. There is a covered pavilion adjacent to it.
The play structure features two slides and various bars and poles.
There is an old-school teeter-totter, a spring animal, 2 baby swings, and a spinning seat.
The next playground is by the amphitheater and lake.
This playground is also covered. It has some spring animals, slides, pretend windows, a bridge, 2 baby swings, and a ton of bars and poles for climbing.
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