Brignole Park, Valley Park

Location: 255 2nd St., Valley Park, MO 63088

Amenities: Playground, picnic shelter, ball field

Website: https://www.valleyparkmo.org/parks-recreation/pages/city-parks-trails

Playground ground cover: Poured rubber

Brignole Park is located in downtown Valley Park. It was installed in the summer of 2022 and is a big improvement over the old one that had pea gravel flooring. There's not a whole lot to do in Valley Park as it's kind of an industrial area, but the Frisco Train store is only a few blocks away if you wanted to make a day of it! 

The new playground is completely fenced in, so you have to walk around to the back of the new library to get there. 

The play structure has so many great things including a short tunnel, a rock wall, pretend window, slides, a bench, and a steering wheel. 

Nice incorporation of the Valley Park Logo

Right now there is only one table under the pavilion but there is room for a whole lot more. I love that it's covered and in the center so you can see both play structures on either side. 

Ball field next to the playground. 

There is no restroom outdoors but I assume the library will let you use theirs during business hours. 

The Valley Park Library

There is a very small parking lot but lots of street parking all around. 

Riverfront Park, Alton

Location: Landmarks Blvd. between Piasa St. & Henry St. Alton, IL 62002

Website: https://www.riversandroutes.com/directory/riverfront-park/

Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber

Amenities:

• Pavilion
• Restrooms
• Dining
• Free Parking
• Handicap Access
• Lights
• PA System
• Pet Friendly
• Restaurant/Lounge
• Slots
• Sports Book
• Table Games
• WiFi Access
• Playground
• AV Equipment
• Grandstand Seating

From the website "Come spend some much-needed time outdoors at Alton's gorgeous Riverfront Park. Home to a 4,000-seat amphitheater that hosts live concerts and performances, festivals, fairs, outdoor movie events, and more- plus several miles of manicured walking trails- the park is a great place to get some exercise and admire the mighty Mississippi. The amphitheater operates spring through fall and the park is open all year.

Riverfront Park is within walking distance from downtown Alton restaurants and shopping by crossing a footbridge over Landmarks Boulevard. The park has walking/biking trails, a summer splash pad for kids, is a docking location for passing riverboat cruises, is close to a casino and marina, and is a great location to watch fireworks over the river, take photos of wildlife, and see the Clark Bridge. The walking trails through Riverfront Park connect two Madison County Transit trails including one that traverses the Great River Road and another that leads all the way to Granite City and the old Chain of Rocks Bridge."

The playground has one play structure with slides, a pretend window, a bridge, tic tac toe board, bubble window, tunnel, and bars and pole. 

Covered pavilion

The splash pad was installed in 2021 and it incorporates Alton staples like a riverboat and eagles. It's open every day from 10 am - 5 pm.

The frog and steamboat are slides. So cool!

The splash pad is enclosed with a fence and has restrooms next door. The amphitheater is next door as well.