Gordon F. Moore Community Park, Alton

 

Location: 4550 College Ave., Alton, IL 62002

Website: https://www.cityofaltonil.com/park-and-recreation/gordon-moore-park/

Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber and mulch

This park is HUGE. From the website "This 704-acre park consists of 8 tennis courts, 10 ball diamonds, 27 hole golf course, 6 picnic areas, 6 play areas (1 new inclusive playground), 19 soccer/football fields, restrooms, concessions, bleachers, and a kid’s interactive fountain. The park also features a nature trail and memorial areas (Worker’s statue, Freedom Shrine, Hosta Garden, Rose Garden with fountain & Veteran’s fountain). The park also boasts a 13-acre fishing lake stocked by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which is adjacent to the Oriental Garden and waterfall/pond. The Northside of Hwy 140 contains 10 soccer/football fields & 25 acres of Heartland Prairie Restoration."

There are lots of play areas here but the inclusive playground is the newest and coolest. It's completely enclosed and accessible to everyone. Also, it's the first one inside the park.

There are ramps, tons of different maze boards, stepping stones, slides, ramps, a rocking boat, and tons of bars and poles. There's something here for everyone!

There are 2 sling swings, 1 expression swing, 2 baby swings, a saucer swing, and 2 ADA swings. 

Modified merry-go-round

New restroom next to the playground

The next playground you come to in the park is older but very big. It has a lot of slides, a large rock wall, a tic tac toe board, a bridge, a tunnel, 

2 sling swings

Some spring rides

An older spray tower, not sure if it is functional or not. 

Beautiful rose garden

The next playground is behind this indoor pavilion. It's on the smaller side with some slides, and a small tunnel. 

The next playground has a tic tac toe board, several ramps, and a couple slides.

The next playground is large and has a structure for big and little kids. The play structure for kids over 5 has a bunch of slides, a rock wall, a tic tac toe board, and lots of bars and poles. 

The play structure for kids under 5 has a half of a tire, some monkey bars, slides, a tic tac toe board, 

a bridge, and some bars and poles. 

The Alton River Dragons play here, you should check out a game!

Haskell Park, Alton

Location: 1200 Henry, Alton, IL 62002

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

Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber and Wood chips 

This playground is next to the historic Haskell Playhouse. It has an interesting history that you can learn about on the website. 

The playground has 2 parts, an older part, and a newer part. 

Expression swing!

This old dino structure has tube slides for legs

Covered pavilion next to the playground

4 person spring ride and a spring horse 

The newer play structure has a rock wall, a standing spinner, and a bunch of bars and poles

There are 2 sling swings and 2 baby swings

2 more baby swings and 2 more sling swings

Shakespeare in the Park, St. Louis City

Location: Shakespeare Glen, by the Art Museum, at 6604 Fine Arts Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110

Website:https://stlshakes.org/shakespeare-in-the-park/

Appearing in Shakespeare Glen every year since 2001, during June, is a wonderful production of a classic play by the famous bard. It is always free, but there are limited paid seating options if you want to be closer to the stage. Performances run every day except Monday, and on the weekends, there is sometimes strolling entertainment before the show. 

Make sure and bring bug spray, water, misters, or fans if it's a hot night! They sell food and drinks, or you can bring your own. 

The overhead view from their website shows the Art Museum at the top left. There is free street parking and lot parking, but you must get there early to snag a good spot. 

The red dot is where the show is. 

Here's a trick I'll share with you that works well for my family. During the summer on Friday nights, the zoo has Jungle Boogie concerts from 4 until they close at 7 pm. If you get to the zoo after 3:30 it's usually not busy and it's easy to find free street parking next to Shakespeare Glen. So we hit the zoo and then when it closes walk over and get a spot for the show!