Francis Park, St. Louis City

Location: Eichelberger and Donovan Sts., St. Louis, MO 63109

Amenities: Roller Hockey Rink, Handball Courts, Lily Pond Fountain, Playground, Racquetball Courts, Soccer Field, Softball Fields, Tennis/Pickleball Courts, restrooms

Website: http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks/view-park.cfm?parkID=3&parkName=Francis%20Park

Playground ground cover: Poured rubber

The park is in the St. Louis Hills area, in south St. Louis City.  Ted Drewes (on Chippewa) is only a few blocks away. The playground is in the center of the park, so there's a bit of a walk to get there from any of the 4 sides. 

                                         

The playground is near the tennis and pickleball courts. There is plenty of street parking on all sides of the park. 

                               

They finally updated the bathrooms in 2019 and added some picnic benches as well. 

They replaced the playground in August 2025. Here is a photo of the old one.

There are four areas of the playground. The play structure for big kids over 5 is in one corner, the play structure for little kids under 5 is in one corner, the swings are in one corner, and webbed climbers and other free-standing things in the last corner. 

The play structure for kids over 5 has many amenities, including some different rock walls, several slides, a bridge, a tunnel, a spinner, drums, a webbed climber, and floating stepping stones. 

Disc net climber

Picnic tables

4 sling swings

2 sling swings, 2 baby swings, an ADA swing, and an expression swing. There is also a saucer swing. 

The play structure for little guys has a rock wall, a slide, a boat you can climb on, drums, ramps, and floating steps. 

The free-standing webbed climber is super fun with a slide, and so many things to climb on. 

There is a Little Free Library across the park at Hope Church.

Snake sculpture in the park

Next to the playground is the Rockwell beer garden. It came on the scene in 2021 and it's a nice place to sit and have a drink. 

Taylor Park, Clayton

Location: 222 N. Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105

Website: http://www.claytonmo.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/30/314
 
Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber

From the website:

This one-acre park is located in the Old Town Neighborhood, at the northern city limits of Clayton.
On the Central Avenue side, gardens with seasonal color welcome visitors to the park. A circular sidewalk flanked by benches leads to a charming gazebo dedicated to Mrs. Kitty Hoblitzelle and a large playground for preschoolers. To the east, there is a level, open area to play in, lovely shade gardens, and picnic tables under a canopy of large oaks where visitors can enjoy their lunch.
Taylor Park offers a wide expanse of open lawn that runs nearly a block in length on the Kingsbury side, where picnics and games are a common occurrence.  Play structures for ages 2 to 5 on the North Central side include a climbing set, swings, a slide, and more.  The park hosts visitors of all ages who find something to enjoy, whether it be history, horticulture, or just having fun."

This playground was remodeled in 2016 and is so much nicer! It's very toddler-friendly with a fence running almost all the way around it, and lots of things for little guys between 2 and 5 to do.

There are 2 slings and 2 baby swings. The baby swings are covered on the other end of the playground.

 There are ramps everywhere, making this a great playground for kids of all abilities.

The play structure has a bunch of maze boards, a tunnel, slides, a rock wall, lots of bars and poles, ramps, and a bridge.

Large green space for running around

Here is my list of other playgrounds that are enclosed or fenced in.