Teddy & Friends Playground at Queeny Park, Ballwin

Location: 550 Weidman Rd., St. Louis, MO 63131

Amenities: Fishing, trails, tennis courts, playground, seasonal indoor ice rink (October to February)

Website: http://www.stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ParkPages/Queeny

Playground ground cover: Poured rubber

Queeny Park was amazing, but it failed to pass inspection in 2023, so it was replaced with an Unlimited Play Playground that opened in August 2025. 

I had to leave photos of the old 1974 playground up because it was so iconic. The new playground is called Teddy & Friends after Teddy Gooch. He was diagnosed with dwarfism. This playground is board game-themed, centered on games like Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, Connect Four, and Teddy's favorite- Chess. There is also a "Game of Life" car doubling as a glider, and a "Don't Break the Ice" parallel play rope piece. The entrance features a big hippo, and the sun shades have the Twister pattern on them, too. So fun! With a board game theme and specialized ADA‑accessible design, families, especially those with children of differing abilities, will have more reasons than ever to play together at this wonderful playground! 

Shaw Park, Eureka

Location: Bounded by Meramec Blvd, Sierra Village Dr, and Shaw Dr, Eureka, MO 63025

Website: None

Playground Ground Cover: Pea gravel

This is not an official Eureka Park, so there's no real info online, but it's a nice park nonetheless. It comprises a decent-sized playground right off Meramec, and down the hill is a beautiful lake. The play structure has several slides, monkey bars, poles, and a rock wall. Please note that there are no bathrooms here.

   

There is a picnic table and a small BBQ pit here as well as a covered pavilion.

 There is a nice walking path around the lake. 

The little house is getting overgrown with weeds inside.

Yale Park, Maplewood

Location: 2104 Yale Ave, Maplewood, MO 63143

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

Playground ground cover: Pea Gravel & Wood Chips

This playground is small but has nice equipment. There aren't any bathrooms which is a shame.  It was a very hot day when we went and there was little to no shade. It is gated however, which was very nice and there were plenty of benches. There are 2 sling swings and 2 baby swings. Very nice quiet neighborhood park.

There is pea gravel under the swings but mulch under the equipment. 

There are 2 diggers that kids can manipulate the mulch with.

Pleasant Hill Park, Belleville IL

Location: 601 N. Sixth St., Belleville, IL 62220

Website: https://www.belleville.net/facilities/facility/details/Pleasant-Hill-Park-14

Playground Ground Cover: Pea Gravel and Rubber Mats

This playground has 2 different play structures, one for big kids and one for littles. The one for big kids has a boulder climber, tunnel, several slides, monkey bars, a tic tac toe board, and various bars and poles.

There are several covered pavilions between the playgrounds.

Ball field

The play structure for little kids has a couple slides and some various bars and poles.