Who doesn’t love a great playground? Fenced-in playgrounds are my favorite, because once we are inside my little runners can be free and happy. Here are 15 of greater Boston’s best. Comment below to add your favorite!
1. School Street Park :: 43 School St., Westwood
This park has some really cool climbing equipment. There is good shade in the afternoon and lots of benches for caregivers to relax on while the kiddos burn off energy!
2. Francis William Bird Park :: Polley Lane, Walpole
In addition to a tot lot, this park has tons of green spaces for running, spinning, and somersaulting. There are many walking paths and spots to picnic along the way.
3. Kids Place/Rockwood Road Community Park :: 49 Rockwood Rd., Norfolk
This relatively new park has a few play buildings that sport Norfolk town slogans. The ground is squishy foam turf, which is nice for the littles. There is a shaded area in the middle with a few benches, but most of the playground is in the sun (and gets hot!), so plan accordingly.
4. Joyce Park :: Union St., Brighton (entrances at Blenford Rd. and Lyne Rd.)
Not only does this play park have a fenced-in tot lot, there is also a little splash pad! The fun play structures here are suitable for older climbers and toddlers alike. This park has trash bins and picnic tables in the shade.
5. Hingham Community Playground at Bradley Woods :: 339 Main St., Hingham
This playground is a hidden gem. Turn down an unmarked road that travels behind the fire house to find a seriously fun fenced-in playground. There are also tennis courts, a soccer field, and walking paths. The playground is the perfect mixture of sun and shade and has multiple playscapes for a range of ages.
6. Braintree Highlands Community Playground :: South St./Rt. 37, Braintree
This playground is great! There is a toddler section and an older kid section. There are at least four bucket swings for the babies, and there are some fun jumpy cars for the little ones. The older kid section has a killer Spiderman-like apparatus. This playground also has a really fun pirate ship that “rocks” in the waves!
7. Kids at Play Playground :: 15 Library Plaza, Marshfield
This huge playground is perfect for families with a wide range of kid ages. There are lots of bridges and hideaways to explore. There is a bathroom available on the other side of the parking lot in the public library during business hours. The playground is almost entirely in the sun though, so plan for that.
8. Hodgkins-Curtin Park :: Holland St., Somerville
This fenced-in playground has the expected fun features of slides, climbing structures, and swings. But a unique offering is the water table set up by the sand pit. Kids will love to pump water into the troughs. The playground’s rubber surface is an added bonus!
9. Larz Anderson Park :: Goddard St., Brookline
This playground is just a small part of a huge, beautiful park. The playground is fenced and nicely shaded. There is a rest room at the park. Definitely bring a picnic and be prepared to spend most of the day exploring in addition to playing at the playground.
10. Billy Ward Playground :: Brook St. and Aspinwall Ave., Brookline
This playground has two levels for play. The upper level is geared toward toddlers. And there is a train! What more could a kid ask for? How about a sand pit? Sprinklers? This playground has it all! The lower level has play equipment for bigger kids.
11. The Playground at Spaulding Rehabilitation Center :: Charlestown
What sets this playground apart is that it is uniquely designed to accommodate kids with physical limitations and restrictions. The park includes more than 60 pieces of inclusive play equipment and American with Disabilities Act-accessible paths and gathering spaces. There is also a climbing area, a seesaw, multiple slides, and a swing set.
12. Sherborn Playground :: Cemetery Lane, Sherborn
This is a brand spankin’ new playground designed for inclusion and fun for all ages. There are a bunch of interesting winding tunnels and paths throughout the playscape. There are a TON of swings and lots to explore!
13. Newton Centre Playground :: 81 Tyler Terrace, Newton
This is one of the oldest playgrounds in Massachusetts (1890) but has been renovated in more recent years. The tot area is fenced and has its own swings. There is a bathroom in the rec center adjacent.
14. Goodwill Park :: 416 Green St., Holliston
This is a small, yet charming playground with plenty of play equipment. There are many swings and a few different climbers. There is also a small garden with paths for little nature lovers to explore!
15. Ryan Playground :: 350 River St., Boston
This is more of a splash park, but there is a playground, too. This splash park has parking (small lot, but free!), lifeguards, and a bathhouse for showering/changing/bathrooms. There are a bunch of spray features, a wading pool, and dump buckets. Bring a change of clothes for the ride home, because there will surely be a car nap!
Thank you so much for this article. I have 2 year old twins and I’m always looking for fenced in play areas.
These Boston area parks are definitely worth a visit, especially if you happen to be in the neighborhood. The park on Ryan Street in Boston is especially good on a hot day because it has options for the kids to get wet in a fun way.