Konarcik Park, Waterloo IL

 

Location: 5303 Konarcik Rd., Waterloo, IL 62298

Website: http://www.waterlooparkdistrict.org/parks/konarcik-park/

Playground Ground Cover: Wood chips

This is a large park with 3 different playgrounds. The park also has a short walking trail, 18 hole disc golf course, a ball field, two sand volleyball courts, and soccer fields. Fishing is allowed in the lake and a valid fishing license is required.

The first playground you come to has a castle theme. It has slides, a speaker, a pretend window, a bubble window, and 2 sling swings. 

The second playground is partly shaded and has ramps, several slides, a bubble window, a gear board, a small tunnel, some floating stepping stones, and 4 sling swings. 

The 3rd playground has a small bridge, some slides, and lots of bars and poles. It's also partly shaded. 

Glidden Park, Collinsville

Location: 398 Branch St., Collinsville, IL 62234

Website: https://www.collinsvilleil.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/8/263

Playground Ground Cover: Poured Rubber

Glidden Park offers recreation for all ages with a walking trail, playground, tennis courts, and dirt racing track for the R.C. Outlaws. The play structure is medium-sized with 3 slides and lots of bars and poles for climbing. There are no restrooms nearby and it's in full sun. 

There are 2 baby swings and 2 sling swings

This park is also home to the RC Outlaws. 

Cool overhead shot of the raceway from their Facebook page.

Norman H. Lehr Community Center, Swansea IL

Location: 1500 Caseyville Ave., Swansea, IL 62226

Website: https://www.swanseail.org/facilities/facility/details/Norman-Lehr-Community-Center-3

Playground Ground Cover: Wood chips

The playground here is older but it's in fair condition. There is a large play structure as well as 2 sling swings. There is a section that's broken and is roped off.  It's in full sun, and I don't know if they will let you use the restrooms inside the community center. 

Freestanding climber 

The structure has slides, a speaker, and various bars and poles. 

Lemay Park, Lemay

Location:  236 Fannie Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63125

Amenities: playground, picnic shelter, trails, restroom, basketball court, sprayground

Website: https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/parks/places/lemay-park/

Playground ground cover: Rubber Mats

When you drive through Lemay it looks sad and run down. It's a suburb just south of the city. But this playground is relatively new and very nice! The play structure is in the design of a big ship which my son loves, and it has some unique features like a big chain and some netting to climb on. This park also has a spray water feature which is nice when it's hot. It has 4 baby swings. There is a basketball court, bathroom building, and a huge pavilion right there as well. The only negative is that there is no shade at all, so bring sunblock on a hot day and be prepared to sweat.

photo credit: St. Louis County Parks

Fitness Trail