Explore some new playgrounds this summer around Fairfield County and let me know your thoughts!
Leonard Schine Preserve Westport/Weston
*voted one of the top 50 playgrounds in the US.
Great for 4-10 year-olds. Explore Aspetuck Land Trust’s new Interpretive Nature Trail and play at the refurbished Natural Playground featuring the famous Tower and new Giant Bird Nest.Located off of Weston Road (Rt. 57 in Westport). Park on Glendinning Place (private road).
Bruce Park, Greenwich
Across from Bruce Museum.
With its ponds, lawns, rose garden, and small naturally wooded areas, Bruce Park has several sections for various ages of children and abilities. The southernmost high area overlooks Indian Harbor. It’s a perfect spot for a picnic.
Devon’s Place, Norwalk
in Mathews Park, 325 West Avenue
Adjacent to Stepping Stones Museum, this Boundless playground is handicapped accessible yet engaging for all ages and stages. Cute splash pad area. Free parking.
Twin Meadows Playground Stamford
800 Stillwater Rd, Stamford
This magical, accessible playground offers a little rocky stream for exploring, and large playscapes where kids of all ages and abilities can play together. It is very clean and well kept, and a great place to bring a toddler who's just learning to climb. The playground is open to the public on weekends and weekdays after school hours.
Compo Beach, Westport
Compo Beach is a 29 acre park with an extensive sand beach. It is handicapped accessible with a boardwalk, pavilion, concession stand, volleyball courts, ball fields, basketball court, skate park, wooden accessible playscape, swings, new pickle ball court, bathroom facilities and lockers, and is adjacent to the Marina. A daily fee is charged to park from May 1 through Sept. 30.
Nature's Playground at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center
39 Scofieldtown Road
Scamper through the giant hollow log and enjoy this exciting playground in the woods, nestled into a rocky hillside. Kids (parents, too) can scale a spider's web to a tree house with a lookout, then wind their way down a tubular slide or zoom down the otter slide.
They can jump on a bouncing bug, try to walk across a moving bridge or climb into a hawk's nest to survey their territory. Wiggle like a worm across two huge maple leaves, and crawl through an ant's nest. Dig for fossils in the huge sand pit. They also can become the captain and crew of the NEW BOAT that's anchored here. Beautiful landscaping with native plants and easy-to-walk-on paths is all part. This place is one of my favorites year round.
Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk
Splash pad, large playground, several fields and gorgeous beach provide the perfect setting for everyone. Adjacent to mini golf and the marina.
Mead Memorial Park New Canaan is located off Park Street with one-way traffic exiting on to Richmond Hill Road. Mead Park contains lighted and unlighted baseball fields and tennis courts, picnic areas, baseball batting cages, a large pond, playground area, and lighted ice skating in the winter. Newly opened, the Lodge at Mead Park offers an open air eating area, air conditioned bathrooms and a food service for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Merwin Meadows Park, Wilton
180 School Road.
Swimming pond, hiking trails, ball fields, basketball court and playground offer a great way to spend the day with kids and family of all ages. Free parking and close to town.
Sandcastle Park, Fairfield
880 Benson Rd at Jennings Beach
The largest of Fairfield’s Beaches, this 27 acre site offers visitors a large sandy beach with great views of Long Island Sound. It is handicapped accessible with a concession stand, bathroom facilities, volleyball poles and sailboat racks. The property is near the South Benson Boat Marina, and shares a parking lot with the Henry Rowland Memorial Playground, home of the “Sand Castle Playground” and the Skate Park.
Fairfield's Lake Mohegan has a large splash pad, and a lake as well. If you're heading to Lake Mohegan as a non-resident you might want to swing by the Fairfield Recreation office and buy a season pass. They're $20/person and children 2 and under are free. Single weekday passes are $15/adult and $8/children 3-17. There are trails that are toddler and dog friendly.
