Our kids have it so good! The parks and playgrounds in Salt Lake City are not what they used to be…

Looking for some fun things to do with your kids this spring and summer? Or maybe you’re on the prowl for a new playground or splash pad to keep your kids occupied while you continue that Netflix binge on your iPhone while they’re wearing themselves out and working up an appetite. (It’s ok, no judgement here!) Playgrounds can also be a great place to meet new friends, for you and your kids! There are sooooo many great parks, playgrounds, and splash pads in and around Salt Lake City these days. However, some parks are still pretty lame. How do you know they’re lame? Ohh, you’ll know. Your kids will surely tell you how much that new park sucks! We’ll help you avoid those crappy, boring parks by directing you to the BEST ones in Salt Lake City.

Best Parks & Playgrounds in Salt Lake

In anticipation of this article, my little 2 year old boy and I have been doing lots of “research” so that we can bring to you the 10 Best kid-friendly parks and playgrounds in the Salt Lake valley. Some of these places are so amazing and over-the-top that you’d be forgiven for mistaking them for a “childhood Shangri-la.” Where were all these splash pads when we were kids!!??

 

Remember how lame and basic the playgrounds were when we were kids? I’m only 33, but I remember how slides were all made out of metal and would burn the crap out of your legs during summer months. Back in the day, most playgrounds usually had nothing more than some stupid old monkey bars, a swing set, and maybe a tire swing, if you were lucky. Kids today have it made! Our spoiled little humans have no idea how good they have it when it comes to playgrounds. Here are the 10 best playgrounds and parks in Salt Lake City…

Wild West Park at Veterans Memorial Park in West Jordan

“Wild West Jordan Park” at Veterans Memorial Park
West Jordan
1985 West 7800 South

Restrooms: YES

This popular park is HUGE, and has something for kids of all ages. This wild west themed playground has swings, slides, bridges, places to climb, mazes, and more. This great playground in the heart of West Jordan’s massive Veterans Memorial Park has it all: Baseball diamonds, tennis courts, restrooms, never ending grass fields, and pavilions (both big and small) available to rent for events. The playground itself is made of Trex, so you don’t need to worry about your kids getting splinters. You’ll quickly notice that many iconic Utah locations and history are featured in the playground, like the Great Saltair, Promontory Point, and the covered wagons of the pioneers. The playground is located right next to the super nice, new, and clean West Jordan Library as well, so you can park the car once and spend hours with your kids; learning, reading, and playing. This place is a MUST! Learn more…

 

Sierra Newbold Playground at Ron Wood Park in West Jordan Utah

Sierra Newbold Playground & Splash Pad at Ron Wood Park
West Jordan 
5900 W New Bingham Hwy

Restrooms: YES

This fun, popular park & playground sadly got it’s name due to a very heartbreaking tragedy. It was named to honor a 6-year-old girl who was abducted from her West Jordan home in 2012 and killed. The entire playground is a dedication to her, and her family. Features a 13,237-square-foot playground, which has ramps up to decks that have accessible play options and a transfer module so children can get onto the equipment. Other features include slides, swings, spinners, a spider web climber, a glider and musical play panels. A rubberized surface makes the entire playground accessible to wheelchairs and walkers. The playground is part of the park’s Phase II, which also has two Jazz basketball courts, a splash pad, two tennis courts, pavilions and restrooms. The first phase of the park includes 5 baseball fields; in the next five years, fields for soccer, lacrosse, football and rugby are slated to be added. When all phases are completed, the park will cover about 64 acres. Learn More…

 

canyon rim park millcreek utah

Canyon Rim Park
Canyon Rim (Millcreek)
3100 S Grace St, Millcreek, UT

Restrooms: YES

This 15.7 acre park & playground in the middle of the Canyon Rim neighborhood of Millcreek is a great escape from the heat on super hot summer days. It has lots of trees, and this large, beautiful neighborhood park has pavilions and amenities on both the east and west side of the park, including restrooms. The playground also has quite a few different slides to keep the kids entertained for hours. During the summer months, there are almost always activities and sports going on in this sprawling park. If you want to schedule an event here, make sure you plan ahead. 

 

Liberty Park in Salt Lake City

Liberty Park
Salt Lake City
1400 South 700 East

Restrooms: Yes
Free Wi-Fi: Yes!

On those first few warm, sunny days of the spring, you should throw the kids in the car and head to Liberty Park. There is something for everyone, and the views are incredible. Liberty Park is the 2nd biggest park in Salt Lake City, second only to Sugarhouse Park in Sugarhouse. At 80 acres in size, It has a few HUGE playgrounds for the kiddos, tennis & basketball courts, horseshoe lanes, concessions stands, a greenhouse, a ferris wheel other carnival rides in the summer, a 1.5 mile jogging path, a swimming pool, bocce ball courts, a lake where the rugrats can feed the ducks and geese, and of course plenty of space to run around. My little guy loves running from pine cone to pine cone whenever we’re there. Kids love playing around in the water in Seven Canyons Fountain, which is impressive and fun for adults too.  Liberty Park is also home to Tracy Aviary, America’s oldest and largest bird park. It is home to 400 different birds representing 135 species on 7.5 acres. Bald Eagles, Condors, etc. Your kids will have a blast and learn something new at the same time. If you get hungry, check out the delicious, yet inexpensive Park Cafe across the street from the South central end of the park. Liberty Park is just a few blocks south of Trolley Square as well, which has some great restaurants and the nicest, largest Whole Foods in Salt Lake. This is one of my personal Top 3 favorite parks and playgrounds in Salt Lake City.

 

eastlake park in daybreak utahEast Lake Park & Beach
Daybreak (South Jordan)
4569 West Dorena Lane

Restrooms: Yes

A discussion about parks and playgrounds in Salt Lake City would not be complete without including Daybreak! The community of Daybreak in South Jordan has exploded in popularity, and for good reason. I had to choose just one of the parks and playgrounds for my list, but there are so many great ones scattered all around the Daybreak. The neighborhood has everything you’d ever need; shops, restaurants, a hospital, and even their very own Oquirrh Lake. I lived in Daybreak for a number of years and I have always wished that Daybreak existed when I was a kid I can’t imagine a better place to grow up, and the endless parks and playgrounds are a big reason why.  There are a few beaches around Oquirrh Lake where your kids can build sand castles and get their feet wet. This particular spot has a playground with swings, bridges, and a jungle gym type thing. There is plenty of green space to run around and restrooms open from Spring to Fall. Fishing is even allowed in designated areas with a fishing license. Residents of Daybreak are blessed to have their own lake for some boating and fishing. Kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, row boats, and sail boats are all available for rent (free, and limited to residents). Unfortunately, no swimming is allowed in the lake, but between the two of us… it’s always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission (wink wink). Be warned though; the water can be pretty stinky in some areas.

Mountview Park in Cottonwood Heights UtahMountview Park & Splash Pad
Cottonwood Heights
1651 Fort Union Blvd

Restrooms: Yes

Mountview Park opened in 2012 on the site of the old Mountview Elementary School. This relatively new park and splash pad is conveniently located smack dab in the middle of the Fort Union area of Cottonwood Heights. One of my son’s favorite parks and playgrounds in Salt Lake City, hands down. There is a pavilion (with electricity) for 100 people, 2 AWESOME playgrounds, a splash pad, 2 tennis courts, a basketball court, 2 soccer fields, restrooms, and a walking path. The entrance to the park is off of Fort Union Blvd (7200 South), and you go down the hill from the road to the parking lot. Because of it’s location down the hill from the road, it has a sense of safety and security. Parks and playgrounds that are too close to a road suck because they put your kids in danger. This park is often crowded, so if peace and quiet is what you’re after, perhaps look to one of these other parks. However there will be lots of new friends for your child to meet and run around with.

 

Bywater Park
Cottonwood Heights
3149 East Banbury Road

Restrooms: Yes

This is one of those parks that not many people know about unless you actually live in Cottonwood Heights. You’d never find it if you didn’t know where to look. It’s hidden in the middle of a neighborhood just north of Bengal Blvd, and east of Butler Middle School. This is a park that you can actually come to for peace and quiet. There is a pavilion (with electricity) for about 100 people with 2 large charcoal grills, 3 “pod” picnic tables with charcoal grills, restrooms, water spout, volleyball court, horseshoe lanes, 2 tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and a kids playground. There are playing fields used primarily for league play. There are also picnic tables available throughout the park. Bywater Park is one of the least known parks and playgrounds in Salt Lake City.

 

skye park in south jordan utahSkye Park
South Jordan
4800 W Skye Drive

Restrooms: Yes

This 5 acre park has an incredibly large, fun playground, as well as football/soccer fields, a basketball court, water fountain, and a small pavilion. It’s a neighborhood park in the Glenmoor neighborhood of South Jordan, and just like Bywater Park in Cottonwood Heights, you probably have never heard of it unless you live in the neighborhood, or drive by it often when golfing out at Glenmoor Golf Course in South Jordan. Because it is tucked away on a neighborhood, it doesn’t get too crowded and can be a great place to relax with a good book, and a panoramic view of the Wasatch Mountains to the east. Learn More…

 

 

Western Springs Park & Splash Pad
Riverton
4570 W Goshute Drive

Restrooms: Yes

This park has easy access on the southeast corner of 12600 South and Mountain View Corridor. One of the best parks and playgrounds in Salt Lake City, let alone Riverton, Western Springs Park is a 45 acre park with a splash pad, playgrounds, jogging trails, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, baseball fields, and a sledding hill in the winter. Of course sledding hills double as ice-blocking hills in the summer too. Do “the kids” still go ice-blocking? Ehh, maybe I’m just the old guy. But if they don’t, they really should. The splash pad is usually not as crowded as most other splash pads in the south end of the valley. Western Springs Park is one of my favorite parks and playgrounds in Salt Lake City for sure. Who doesn’t love a good splash pad!?

flat iron mesa park in Sandy utahFlat Iron Mesa Park
Sandy
1700 E 8600 S

Restrooms: Yes

This great Salt Lake area park is the largest park in Sandy at almost 32 acres. Flat Iron Mesa park is also “the most varied for terrain, taking its name from a hilly outcropping”. It a full service park, which has 6 soccer fields, 2 baseball fields, 1 volleyball court, 2 great playgrounds, 4 tennis courts, and 2 pavilions which have lighting for when it gets dark. The upper pavilion at Flat Iron Mesa has an amazing view of the entire Salt Lake valley. One of the best parks and playgrounds in Salt Lake City for sure. For those who enjoy walking and/or jogging, there are three different trails, each ranging from 1/3 mile to 1 mile in length. This park was a favorite destination for ice-blocking, which of course led Sandy City to come in and say “hey, you’re having too much fun over here” and prohibited ice-blocking within the city parks. Super lame, but it is what it is. Fantastic park for sledding in the winter though!! How’s that for a glass half-full way to look at it? More info…

flat iron mesa park in Sandy utah

Which parks and playgrounds in Salt Lake City are YOUR favorite? Did we leave your favorite park off the list? Tell us!

*Please consider sharing this article on social media if you feel others will enjoy it 🙂 Thanks!

 

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EAP Homes Realtor

EAP Homes, Realtor

About the Author: The above article on the 10 Best Kid-Friendly Parks and Playgrounds in Salt Lake City was written and provided by EAP Homes, a leader in the field of Real Estate sales, marketing, smart home technology, and social media. Chris can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 801-455-8753. Chris has helped many people buy and sell Salt Lake City area homes for years.

Thinking of selling your home? I have a real passion for buying and selling Real Estate, as well as marketing, social media & smart home technology. I’d love to share my expertise!

I help people buy and sell real estate in the following Salt Lake area cities & neighborhoods: HolladayCottonwood Heights, Millcreek, Olympus Cove, Canyon Rim, SugarhouseMidvaleMurray, East Millcreek, Sandy, White City, Draper, Riverton, Daybreak, South Jordan, West Jordan, Herriman, Bluffdale, South Salt Lake, The Avenues, Federal Heights, and of course, Salt Lake City.

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