Lafayette Park, St. Louis City

Location:  Bordered by Lafayette, Misissippi, Missouri, and Park Avenues, St. Louis, MO 63104

Amenities: playground, picnic shelter, trail

Website: http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/parks/view-park.cfm?parkID=52&parkName=Lafayette%20Park

Playground ground cover: Poured rubber, wood chips

This park is actually the oldest park in St. Louis and one of the oldest west of the Mississippi. It's in the heart of the historic Lafayette Square neighborhood and close to lots of cute coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques on Park Ave. The playground is large and has a huge variety of equipment including concrete turtles and frogs to climb on. It was replaced in late 2023. Also nearby is a truly stunning pond and an old bridge, and the plantings are gorgeous. It's a popular location for photographs. There are lots of old statues and even some cannons near the playground that were used in the Revolutionary War. This is a very active park that hosts concerts and movies during the summer. The bathrooms were old and kind of gross but were updated recently and are much nicer! 

The old playground

There are 2 sling swings, 2 baby swings, and 2 expression swings

3 story climber

Large playstructure with a rock wall, drum, slides, a bridge, and slides.

Restroom building

Gorgeous lake and plantings

Rabe Park, University City

Location: Midland at Canton, University City, MO 63130

Website: http://www.ucitymo.org/105/Parks

Playground Ground Cover: Wood Chips

This is a small playground that would be perfect for toddlers!  There's just one play structure, 2 baby swings, and 2 sling swings. The structure has 2 slides, a bridge, and various bars and poles. It's partly shaded but there are no bathrooms.

Sanders Park, Crestwood

Location: Bounded by Sanders Dr and Clover Ln, Crestwood MO 63126

Website: https://www.cityofcrestwood.org/Facilities

Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber & wood chips

This little neighborhood park is a gem.  It's not a large playground but it is somewhat shady and has some fun features. There are 4 baby swings, 2 slides, a rock wall, a small tunnel, a store window, and a steering wheel. There is a creek running right next to the playground though, and we will definitely be back when it's warmer to play in it. There is a drinking fountain and some benches but no restrooms.

There is another playground at the other end of the park. This park is long and skinny and each end has a playground. 

 The walking path leads the way into the creek

 Gravois Creek runs right through the park

The second playground is at the north end of the park. 

It's just one play structure with drums, slides, a pretend window, and 2 ride-on insects.