6 Parks to Visit When Hope Park is Too Busy

I have two children who are two years apart in age. This means when we venture to a playground or park, I’m inevitably running in two different directions.

Hope Park (also known as Frisco Commons) is the mecca of all playgrounds, but it’s a near impossibility to navigate alone with multiple children or during busy seasons like spring and fall.

So, I’ve collected a few of my favorite family-friendly parks around Frisco (and neighboring cities) that’ll keep your little ones safe, entertained, and give parents some much-needed space to breathe.

Windhaven Meadows Park

5400 Windhaven Parkway, Plano, TX 75093

A hop, skip, and jump away from The Shops at Legacy is Windhaven Meadows Park, a sensory-friendly playground for children of all ages and abilities. Windhaven Meadows offers three main sections: a big kid playground, a toddler playground, and a splash pad section. Windhaven Meadows is large and well-spaced, but unlike Hope Park, almost all three areas can be seen from any vantage point at once.

A dog park, walking trails, padded turf, unique climbing structures, and large pavilions with grills make Windhaven Meadows a must.

Limestone Quarry Park

1230 Maltby Drive, Frisco, TX 75035

This park is a hidden gem, quite literally!

Sure there’s playgrounds and pavilions and green space to run free, but locate the lone bench on the backside of the play structure and you’re in for a real treat. A short walk down a forest trail reveals arguably Frisco’s most beautiful “park.”

Limestone Quarry offers a natural creek perfect for exploring (and cooling off during hot Texas months). The creek is shallow and full of tiny fish, rocks, and a natural waterfall to explore. Bring a picnic blanket and lunch, kick back, and let your city kids dive into their all-natural wilderness roots.

Celebration Park

701 Angel Parkway, Allen, TX 75002

Here’s what I loved about Celebration Park: a huge, ramp-accessible playground plus a splash pad all within eyesight.

This rainbow themed playground consists of multiple ladders, climbing walls, sensory sections, swings, and open space to create and play. If that doesn’t wear the kids out, throw a bike and your sporting equipment in your trunk and take advantage of the surrounding tennis, baseball, and basketball courts. Don’t forget to feed the ducks on your way out!

Spirit Park

1151 Ridgeview Drive, Allen, TX 75013

While you’re in Allen, swing over (pun intended) to Spirit Park, a treehouse-themed wonderland for little ones.

This park features beautiful, well-maintained equipment, walking trails, a nature loop, and a “hideout” area that’ll keep imaginations soaring. Spirit Park is a more quaint playground then the aforementioned others, but wonderfully visible and very well-maintained. My children played for hours.

Beard Park

280 E. Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX 75068

Beard Park invites children to pretend they’re a little squirrel or bunny frolicking in a forest! The sturdy play structures mimic natural materials and offer multiple hideaways where kiddos can enjoy playing hide and go seek or climbing up to an adventurous tree house experience.

We love the artificial turf that covers the area – no wood chips or mud to worry about! My kids enjoy searching for the hidden critter images that are hiding throughout the play yard – find the owl, the frog, the mouse…and more! There are multiple slides, swings, benches, and bonus — a fun, woodsy trail behind the park.

Bicentennial Park

450 W. Southlake Blvd., Southlake, TX 76092

Okay, brace yourself fellow Frisco residents. I’m suggesting a park that’s in, gasp, Southlake!

Sure, it’s a bit of a drive, but this was decidedly both of my children’s favorite park of the summer (and they never agree on anything). Trust me, it’s worth the jaunt.

An important feature, for fellow families who have kids who like run away in crowds, is that Bicentennial Park is fully gated. Once you’re in there’s only one exit. This park has a ton of well-spaced sections for exploration: rock walls, slides galore, even a splash pad. There’s a large sandpit, so bring some shovels and buckets, as well as ziplines, swings, a rope course, and more.

There are plenty of benches and well-shaded areas for parents to sit on or picnic, which made Bicentennial one of our favorite finds of all time.

What is your family’s favorite place to frolic, swing, and slide to your hearts’ content? Leave us a comment!

Also Read: 

Have You Tried the New Family Alterna-Picnic?

5 Ways to Add Fun to Your Family Walks