Hudlin Park, St. Louis City

Location: 700 S. Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110

Website: https://forestparkmap.org/richard-hudlin-playground-tennis-courts

Playground Ground Cover: Wood chips and poured rubber

This playground near Barnes Jewish Hospital features 6 tennis courts, 4 racquetball courts and a playground. The courts are named for local tennis coach Richard Hudlin (1898-1976), who coached Arthur Ashe when the future star came to St. Louis.

I thought I had all the city playgrounds, but I missed this one because it was taken over from the city by Barnes Jewish. It is now under their control so it's not listed as an official city park.

There's no signage but the playground is clearly visible from Kingshighway. If you turn right like you're going into the parking garage keep going and you'll run right into it.

The playstructure is huge and it has stepping stones, slides, rock walls, bridges, ramps, gear boards, and tons of bars and poles.

Spinning log and chain climber. 

Lots of benches and even some picnic tables but I didn't see a restroom. Also the parking lot close to this playground is metered parking and not very large.

View of the other playground across the way. This playground is a bit of a mystery to me. I have details on it below.

 There are 2 sling swings and 2 bucket swings.

Overhead view of Hudlin park. A the bottom of the photo you can see playground #2. I don't know who this playground belongs to, I suspect it is for the Central Institute for the Deaf but can't get confirmation on that. It's an open playground right next to a parking lot with free parking. There's no signage and nothing online about it.

Since the closest parking for Hudlin playground is metered, you could park at the free lot next door and walk up. These two playgrounds are right next door to each other, it's kind of strange!

Playground #2

I am not sure why this old merry go round is just sitting here. It looks like concrete and it doesn't move.

There are a couple of spinning things that are usually big hits with the kids.

The small playstructure has a climbing wall and a slide. 

There is an adaptive swing, a baby swing, and 2 sling swings. 

View of Hudlin playground from here. 

The larger playstructure has a rock wall, slides, stepping stones, spinning things, and lots of bars and poles.

Looking across the parking lot you can see the Central Institute for the Deaf. I think this might be their playground, I'm waiting for a call back from them to confirm. 

Ultimate Ninjas, Chesterfield

Location: 140 Long Rd., Suite 130, Chesterfield, MO 63005

Website: https://ultimateninjas.com/st_louis/

Ultimate Ninjas is a chain that opened a location in Chesterfield in late 2018 in the old Hi-NRG building. They offer open play, classes, parties, and events for adults. They have an agility course, swinging ropes, monkey bars, quintuple steps, climbing, and warped walls among other exciting obstacles for kids to try, practice, and master. You will also find a large gym area for basketball, soccer, floor hockey, and space to run – your child is sure to have fun while boosting self–confidence.

They offer 1-hour open play for $15. Check their website for dates and times. They also offer Ninja Nights and Kids Night Out. I've seen them on Groupon so check there if you're interested in booking an open play or class for your kids.

Play Street Museum, St. Charles

Location: 1650 Beale St., #138, St. Charles, MO 63303   314-471-0065

Website: https://www.playstreetmuseum.com/st-louis

Play Street Museum is a franchise and this is their first location in Missouri. They opened in early 2019 in the Streets of St. Charles shops. They are an interactive, small-format children’s museum targeting children ages 8 and younger. It is designed to foster a child’s sense of independence and creativity.

The "street" includes a grocery store, veterinarian, firehouse, doctor's office, home, and pizza parlor. They also have a huge light bright hanging on the wall and several areas for imaginative play with wooden toys and blocks. They also have a dinosaur area complete with a volcano.

At 2400 sq. feet it isn't a huge space, which will appeal to a lot of parents who don't want a huge museum where kids can run off and get lost. They are open Monday through Thursday 9-5, Friday 9-8, and Saturday and Sunday are reserved for private parties and special events. They offer a lot of themed storytimes, sensory-friendly events, yoga, slime parties, and more.

It's best suited for kids 1-8.  (Children younger than 1 or older than 8 are free if accompanied by a paying sibling). You have to sign a waiver and they do not allow food in the play area.  They also don't allow more than 25 kids in at a time so you can be sure it won't become extremely crowded and overwhelming.

On to the photos!

Wooden vehicle and block area

Magnetile table

House with laundry room and kitchen

Grocery store

Doctor's office

Pizza Parlor

Veterinarian 

Firehouse with slide, dress up, and firetruck.

This place is really charming, and such a great addition to the St. Louis area! My daughter LOVED pretending to be a vet and my son loved running the grocery store.