I am looking for public playgrounds in the Woodbury, Maplewood, Oakdale area that have some equipment that is geared toward the younger 1-3 age group. My son is 16 months and loves to be outside, but I am having a hard time finding an age appropriate place for him to explore.
This is in St. Paul, but shouldn't be too far for you. Maddocks Park off of Macalester is great! There's a huge play area for older kids, and a separate play area for toddlers.
Have you ever tried Lake Elmo Park Reserve in Lake Elmo? It has a huge park with a toddler section. There is also a park in Maplewood off White Bear and Frost. You go down White Bear and turn on Frost (there is only one way to turn) by Ramsey Nursing Home (and the Arena). Go down a few blocks and it is on your left side. This park also has a toddler section - very cool park. And another one is behind Gladstone Education Center (if you continue on Frost a few more blocks the building is on your right - turn right just before the building then the park will be on your left, you can't miss it. It is called Robinhood Park and is geared towards toddlers. There is also a really nice park in Stillwater called Teddy Bear Park. I am sorry I am so bad with explaining directions. I hope this helps!
J.
The park off of Powers Lake in Woodbury is really nice, we go there alot, but it can get busy on nice days. Teddy Bear Park in Downtown Stillwater might be a bit of a drive for you, but on a special day, it is so worth it. Also, TamblynPArk on Stillwater Rd right between Oakdale and Lake ELmo but there is not as much equipment there. Have fun!
There is a nice new park called Grandview park in Hudson near the government center-you could mapquest it,it is really cute and has a lot of areas including a toddler one.
I second the lake Elmo Park Reserve. We take my two year old who is small for his age there all the time and it is great because they have a great toddler area plus the "big" kid area is pretty easy for them and you to navigate and have fun together. The best part for me is the nice bathrooms that are right there. Perfect for potty training time. Also in the summer they have a little lake that they filter like a pool with a gradual incline that my little one loves to play in.
If you are ever interested in exploring outside those areas but close to Woodbury I'd suggest Lions Park and Rich Valley Park in IGH. They have a small mini gym for young kids. It has stairs and lookout tubes maybe a steering wheel. It's not fancy though. They do have the bigger stuff along side it along with kiddy swings.
In Oakdale right off Hadley Avenue there is a park called Eberly Park. My daughter is 11 months old and she can climb on a lot of it. Lots of sand and swings also. Great place for a picnic with their sheltered picnic tables and portapotty too!
I don't know the name of the park but it was built for smaller children. It is on Upper Afton Rd. between McKnight and Century Ave. It's in the same parking lot as the water park. Hope you can find it but if not you can contact me with questions.
