Playgrounds are great because they keep our kids active and entertained, give us all some fresh air, and are free to use! Toledo and it’s surrounding areas are home to some amazing playgrounds. My 2-year-old son and I have tried out many of the playgrounds on this list and we think you all will enjoy them as much as we did!
Toledo
Wildwood Metropark
5100 W. Central Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43615
The playground at Wildwood Metropark is a fun one! It’s large in size and is usually pretty busy… perfect for children (and moms) who love to socialize. There’s a large climbing structure, an additional smaller one, a merry-go-round, and plenty of swings. The bathrooms are located close by – an important factor for this pregnant mama and her newly potty trained toddler! The playground is also conveniently located right next to the parking lot.
Swan Creek Preserve Metropark
Airport Highway
4301 Airport Highway, Toledo, Ohio 43614
Swan Creek Metropark has two different playgrounds. The first can be found using the Airport Highway entrance. This playground is great for kids that are a little older. There are lots of different rope climbing structures that school-aged kids would have fun with. This might be a playground to skip with young toddlers due to it being slightly more advanced. Bathrooms and picnic area are located close by.
Glendale Ave.
4000 Glendale Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43614
The second playground can be located using the Glendale Rd. entrance. This playground would be suitable for toddlers and school-aged children. The nice thing about this playground was that there was ample shade, which makes it a good spot to hangout on hot summer days. The restrooms are located between the parking lot and the playground.
Glass City Metropark
1505 Front St, Toledo, Ohio 43605
This amazing addition to the river front and East Side is one you have to see to believe. It houses 3 play areas. One for the littles to crawl and explore. One of wood that fits the natural feel of the area, and one that takes you to new heights as the kids can climb, slide and challenge themselves. You can take a river walk, pack a picnic or even roller skate at the Ribbon.
The Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way, Toledo, Ohio 43609
Nature’s Neighborhood
The Toledo Zoo has two different playgrounds that my son loves. The first is located in Nature’s Neighborhood, which is right next to the museum. It has a large “treehouse” play structure and there is a small water-filled stream adjacent to the playground that is open for kids to splash around in and cool off during the summer months.
Aquarium Adventure Trail
The second playground is located next to the zoo’s splash pad, or the “Aquarium Adventure Trail.” Kids can run back and forth from the splash pad to the playground and be entertained for a good amount of time. Since we have a zoo membership, sometimes we will take a trip to the zoo for the sole purpose of using the playgrounds and water features!
Middlegrounds Metropark – A Playground for the Pups!
111 Ottawa Street, Toledo, OH 43604
Our furry friends need some play time every so often too! The off-leash dog area at Middlegrounds Metropark is a great area to take the whole family for some fun! There are separate fenced-in areas for large dogs and small dogs and the park is free to use. The park has a few fun climbing play structures for the dogs to play on and a fountain to fill up water bowls. Make a morning of it and pick up coffee from your favorite local coffee shop in downtown Toledo and then take the fur babies to play at the dog park!
Sylvania and Berkey
Secor Metropark
10001 W. Central Avenue, Berkey Ohio 43504
Walnut Grove Playground
There are also two playgrounds located at Secor Metropark. The first can be found by following signs for the Walnut Grove Area. The parking lot is located right next to the playground. It is small in size and the playground sits atop rubbing matting, so it would be perfect for younger toddlers or new walkers. Most of the playground equipment is low to the ground and it is very easy to keep an eye on your children as they are playing. There are also bathrooms and a picnic area nearby.
Barrier-Free Playground
The other playground can be located by following signs for the Meadowview Area. This is a barrier free playground and has wide ramps and low handrails that provide wheelchair accessibility on the play structure, and also include some fun sensory activities to play with. There are bathrooms and a picnic area near this playground as well.
Sylvania Playland
3620 Centennial Rd. Sylvania, OH 43560
Sylvania Playland is the one and only indoor playground in the Toledo area for children ages 1-12 and is the perfect playground to go to on rainy days or during the colder months. There are a variety of things to do including several different play structures, a toddler area, mini golf, bounce houses, an arcade, ice cream & snacks, and more! There is a cost to get in but they have quite a bit to offer including day passes, open play, and party rentals.
Maumee and Perrysburg
Sidecut Metropark
1025 W River Rd., Maumee, OH 43537
The playground at Sidecut Metropark is separated into 2 parts, the “Big Lot Playground,” and the “Tot Lot Playground.” This gives older kids and younger kids each their own space to play. The playground is conveniently located next to the parking lot and there are restrooms and picnic tables nearby.
Fort Imagination – Woodland Park
429 E Boundary St, Perrysburg, OH 43551
Fort Imagination has two separate play areas and the one designated for younger kids was fenced in. This area had several smaller structures and was a great area for the younger toddlers to play. There was also a larger play area that was fun for older kids as well. The parking lot is located right outside the entrance to the playground and the restrooms were also located close by.
Wood County Plays – Rotary Community Park
26350 Fort Meigs Rd, Perrysburg, OH 43551
Perrysburg’s newest playground just so happens to be inclusive for everyone and is set to open July 2021! This inclusive playground has a rubber base foundation, making the entire playground wheelchair accessible. There are also obstacle courses, ziplines, and sensory equipment. The goal of this playground was to create a space where all children and families can play together. I for one cannot wait to visit with my son and support a space that gives all children an equal opportunity for fun and play!
Oregon
Pearson Metropark
761 Lallendorf Rd., Oregon, OH 43616
There are 2 playgrounds located at Pearson Metropark right near each other, a larger one and a smaller one. The larger of the two is located next to Parking Lot 5 and the smaller playground is located near Parking Lot 4. Both playgrounds have fun play structures for all ages and plenty of swings! They are close to restrooms and a charcoal grill/picnic area.
Swanton, Waterville, and Grand Rapids
Oak Openings
4139 Girdham Rd., Swanton, OH 43558
Oak openings is the largest of the Toledo area metroparks and their playground did not disappoint! I found that it was easiest to locate by following the signs for the Mallard Lake Area and the Buehner Center. Both of these are located close by and once you’ve found those, the playground is easy to locate. This particular playground has several play structures and swings that my son had so much fun with. Restrooms and covered picnic area were conveniently located close by.
Farnsworth Metropark
8801 S. River Road, Waterville, Ohio 43566
The playground at Farnsworth Metropark is a playground that is great for younger children! There are several small climbing structures, swings, and slides to keep young toddlers and new walkers busy! While this is great for the little ones, this might be one to skip if you have older children. Parking lot, restrooms, and shelter house located close to playground.
Provincetown Metropark
13827 S. River Road, Grand Rapids, OH 43522
The playground at Provincetown Metropark has a large play structure with swings next to it. There are benches to sit and watch your kids play and it is conveniently located close to restrooms and two different shelter houses.
Temperance, Mi.
Carr Park
9174 Lewis Avenue, Temperance, Michigan 48182
Carr Park is located in Temperance, Michigan and is a fun playground for kids of all ages! The playground itself is separated into two different play structures – one meant for younger kids, and one for school-aged kids. There is a large covered picnic area but the only restroom I noticed was a portable toilet next to the parking lot, so keep that in mind.
Did we miss a must-visit playground? Let us know in the comments below! Happy playing!
