Today we’re reviewing some of the biggest, best playgrounds around the East Valley that you’ll want to experience at least once.
These ultimate East Valley parks are perfect for school breaks and special days where driving a distance for longer park play is on the itinerary.
Our favorite way to plan a full day at the park is to pack a picnic lunch (or snack lunch!) and plan to stay for as long as possible.
Want more park reviews? Check out all our East Valley park reviews here.
XO,
- Orange Monster: Eastmark’s Great Park has one special feature called the orange monster. This play sculpture stands more than 9 feet tall and stretches out over a half acre. Two orange pipes connect with play netting for climbers of all ages to explore (mom tip—climbers ages 3+ are best for this feature). The twists and turns challenge explorers and it’s the never the same adventure twice.
- Mom tip: Steadfast Coffee is a local coffee stand walking distance to the parks. Also, in the fall of this year the new Gateway Library will be open so you can double dip on a library + park day here. Heads up, this park gets busy on the weekends; there are ball fields nearby plus Saturday farmer’s markets as well, so if you don’t love a weekend crowd, plan to play here on a week day.
- Gilbert Regional: This park is the pride of Gilbert. This 17-foot tall towering playground on the hill is divided in two areas. The great top area is for older kids and has a zip line, climbing structure, and slides of all different sizes. And the lower area for younger kids that has a small sand pit with smaller slides and climbing structures. There’s also the shaded splash pad, 1 mile walking trail, and pickleball courts to check out too.
- Mom tip: The playground area is large so can be hard to keep track of littles. Be prepared to be an active playground participant at this one!
- Painted Sky Park: This park features 3.5-acre adventure playground with several climbing structures, rope swings, and a climbing wall (plus 16 acres of lake, green space and more). There’s a tot playground and a big kid play ground. The play features here are some of the more unique ones we’ve seen lately, but be warned this isn’t a “sit on a bench and watch your kids” type park. There’s a lot of levels, and it’s tricky to keep eyes on kids from one vantage point. See our full review of the park here.
- Mom tip: Checkout the Blossom Rock calendar for free public parties they host at this park through the year.
- Frontier Family Park:
Queen Creek’s largest and newest park is a sprawling 85 acres. This park has a huge play structure, obstacle course, along with multiple spinners and roundabouts. There are plenty of tall hills to climb, tunnels to run through, and more to help tire out even the most active of kids.
- Mom tip: While Queen Creek is still growing, there are not a lot of nearby options for convenient food so make sure to pack extra snacks and water to have on hand!
- Riverview Park: This gem in Mesa is always a go-to. This park boasts of a 50 foot tall climbing tower along with a 60 foot long caterpillar mesh rope climbing structure. But even if your kid is not into climbing, there are plenty of other features to check out. Multiple play structures, a zip line, and splash pad make this park fun for all speeds.
- Mom tip: There are some great restaurants right on the other side of Dobson. Plan around lunch time and either pick up something to go and bring it to the park or think about having a meal to head over to after playing.
- Lantana Ranch Park: This airport themed park is an absolute blast. The play structure has an airplane on top for you to see your explorers up high. There’s also a rocking boat, a zip line, a “we-go-round,” and swings. This park also boasts of an outdoor fitness center and ninja park that is sure to challenge all ages.
- Mom tip: There is no parking lot here so be prepared for street parking. There are also no public restrooms at this park so make sure everyone has a bathroom break before you go!
- Freestone Park:
This 88 acre park might have opened in 1988 but is still a joy to go to today! Having gone through many updates throughout the years, the park now has a 5 acre fishing lake, 3 playground areas, skate park, and batting cages. Another unique piece to this park is the Freestone Railroad, antique amusement rides, and snack bar in the center of the park (all of which does cost money so be prepared!) This park is a lovely piece of green in the desert so it’s also a great place to have a picnic with your park date. See our full review of the park here.
- Mom tip: This park’s play structures are a little spread apart so we love to throw bikes or scooters in the car with us to take on the awesome bike path/walking path that sprawls throughout the park.
