By sondra shipley

August 7, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

Piedmont Park. I played there when I was a child - then my children played there as well. It was a nice family place to go, we lived here by and were table to walk there.

By Linda

August 7, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

Candler Park has a great playground and lots of shade.

By Julie

August 7, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

I love the Grant Park Playground -it’s so pretty year around! There are good toys and the kids also have the whole park to explore. The new Zoo Atlanta playground is also great -and fairly shady!

By Chris H

August 7, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

First Baptist church of Woodstock. All plastic ‘castle’ playground that’s bigger than my house. Open to the public, soft rubber ground, water mister for the heat, covered picnic tables, good for all ages. My kids can spend hours there.

East Cobb park is nice if you have kids who also love nature or want open space to run until they can’t anymore.

By Scott K

August 7, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw is the best! It has 41 acres of playgrounds (one for older and one for younger), two paved walking paths and lots of covered tables. Also take advantage of Kennesaw’s Wi-Fi access. It can’t be beat!

By Jeremy

August 7, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Play town Suwanee. Shaded area and lots of cool things for kids to climb in/on/over/under.

By Rich

August 7, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

Ardmore Park (near Piedmont Hospital) has a good playground with one of the only merry-go-rounds I’ve seen in a park lately. It’s got wonderful shade trees, benches, and picnic tables. What truly sets it apart, though, is the train trestle next to the park (about 100 feet from the playground). Trains come by at least every hour or so and most of the train engineers seem to know about the park and will blow their whistle if the kids wave at them. Because of the way the tracks and trestle are situated, it’s one of the only places I know of that you can get that close to a real train and still be perfectly safe. It’s a hidden gem of a park.

By Josh

August 7, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

Swift Cantrell Park in Kennesaw. This park is great! It has a 1 mile track, free wifi, two huge playgrounds, picnic pavillions with grills. My kids love it.

By Meg

August 7, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

Lost Mountain Park in Cobb Co - the playground is large and has activities for little ones and bigger kids too. It’s also right next to a good open field to run in. Most important of all, it’s shaded!

By Megan

August 7, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

My favorite playground growing up was the one at Stone Mountain. I mean the real, actual, wooden playground that is around the other side of the mountain from all of the new “attractions” at Stone Mountain like SkyHike. (Which, by the way, I have also done. Its super fun, even though I am afraid of heights and was terrified!)

But really, the Stone Mountain Park old fashioned playground always wins in my book.

By Greg Estes

August 8, 2008 7:05 AM | Link to this

Swift-Cantrell gets my vote. Two fantastic playgrounds: One for the older kids and one for the younger.
Soon will be adding a skate park!

By John

August 8, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

I would have to say by far the First Baptist Church in Woodstock. They swings, slides and all of the playground equipment is by far superior to any other playground in the area. My child loves it and we can spend hours there as well. Even in the dead of summer when the heat is high, the playground equipment is not hot to the touch which is vey key to a child and to a parent. I agree with alot of other post about Swift-Cantrell park in Kennesaw, it is a beautiful park. My problem with it, NOT ENOUGH PARKING. On a busy weekend it is always mobbed with people and you just can’t seem to find a place to park. With a 2 1/2 year old we have visited alot of playground and by far our favorite is First Baptist Church.

By s

August 8, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

peachtree dekalb airport playground

By JustMe

August 8, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

JJ Biello in Canton. Age differentiated playgrounds, covered pavillion with picnic tables, room to run, coke machine & restrooms. And a big hill for “sledding” - bring your cardboard!

By Melissa

August 8, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

Sidney Marcus Park. It’s the ultimate neighborhood playground.

By cnote

August 8, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

McDonalds on Buford Highway in Norcross. The playground is in a nice air conditioned environment with plenty of access to food and drink. It’s one of the largest, free indoor playground I have ever seen. The air conditioning is filtered so your kids can run free without having to breath Atlanta’s carbon infested and asthma causing air.

The equipment is sanitized twice a day and my son loves the Hamburgler slide. Somtimes we’ll be driving no where near Norcross and he’ll call out in that cute 3 year old voice, “Ronald McDonald, Ronald McDonald!”. You can’t resit that call so we make an immediate turn for Happy Meals and calorie buring at McDonalds.

By Jodi

August 8, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Zoo Atlanta playground

By Chris

August 8, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

East Cobb Park. The best I’ve seen. Great fenced in play area, jogging trail, big grassy area and trails throught the woods. Plus a stage where Jay Memory performs once a week in the evening.

By blh222

August 8, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Play Town Suwanee - Great for all ages.

By Dave

August 8, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Have to agree on First Baptist Church of Woodstock. “Jesus Stadium” as we call them. They are good neighbors and the playground is a prime example.

By Claire

August 8, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Mountain Park Park in Gwinnett. Its got 3 different playgrounds, a mile track, a skate park, baseball fields, open fields for frisbee and what not, tennis courts and paths through the woods.

By Chis

August 8, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Bessie Branham Park in Kirkwood

By Leroy

August 8, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

I like Woodruff.. I can always get me a 40 and a dime bag..

By George

August 8, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

Candler Park. The playground has lots of stuff to do, a water fountain, lots of benches for parents and plenty of shade. If the kids get bored, they start building forts in the woods on the hill or tromping through the creek 20’ away.

By Reality Check

August 8, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

The question is about a public playground. First Baptist is not a public playground.

By Cynthia

August 8, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

Cunard Memorial Playground in John Howell Park in Virginia-Highland. Peaceful and Beautiful, beautiful jewel of a park, plenty of trees for shade, and seating for grown-ups. The two playgrounds have something for kids of all ages and if they still get bored the biggest sandbox in Atlanta is right there (it’s really two sand volleyball courts, but try telling the kids that!) People drive from all over town for this one.

By Mary

August 8, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

The Wills Park Wacky World Playground in Alpharetta. It’s great because there is a lot of shade!

By CorrectionRealityCheck

August 8, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Yes it is. First Baptist playground is open to the public!

By Susan

August 8, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

Avondale Park, in Avondale Estates is where we always took our kids, and where we take my granddaughter now. There are all sorts of climbing apparatus, swings, slides, merry-go-round and pool. It is set in a grove of trees that keeps it shady and cool! About a block away is a lake with ducks that kids love to feed, and benches for us “oldies” to sit on and watch.

By JennyL

August 8, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

Johnson Park in Rockdale County has an awesome playground. It is in the shape of a pirate ship, and sits on that spongy rubber matting. There is a fitness trail, ball fields, tennis courts, and a rec building with an Olympic size indoor pool, weight room, gym, etc.

Another great one is Lenora Park in Gwinnett County. It has walking trails through a grassy pasture, ball fields, a gym, and a big pool with a water park. It is wonderful!!!

By James

August 9, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this

Hands down, Heritage Park in Mcdonough is the best ever. Their playgrounds are great with big slides and small slides. Swings, monkey bars. Adequate bathrooms with portapotties for backup. A trail that is great for walking or riding bikes.

But the best part is the small town. McDonough took many historic houses that used to be downtown and placed them here for exploration. Instead of destroying this history, kids can run around the small town that has walking paths and is like a neighborhood. there is even a large train station with a real steam engine parked. We call it the choo choo park. Kids climb all over it. It is a great place to explore and take pictures.

By boman

August 9, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this

All sound good, BUT MCDONALDS???? COME ON PEOPLE…..

By Mom

August 9, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Mt. Carmel Park in McDonough. It has a “road” complete with road signs that are child sized. The kids love to race their bikes and trikes around it. It also is big enough to have a small kids section and a big kids section with very challenging equipment. If you have a dog there is an ajacent dog park.

By punkiesmama

August 9, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

I agree about the Cunard Memorial Playground…the equipment is very funky and it has good padding. Also has areas for tiny kids and bigger kids. We also love Bessie Branham, and it usually has the advantage of being less crowded. We use Candler Park the most but the equipment isn’t quite as nice as the eqipment in the Highlands and at Branham.

By Aw

August 9, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Stone Mountain park!!

By Teacher

August 9, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Roswell Area Park, is fantastic. The playground is very shaded with plenty of benches and covered eating area. Fenced in playground for the little tots too. Plus you have a walking trail and a lake to feed the ducks or cast a line. Wonderful park.

By My 2 Cents

August 9, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

In GWINNETT: Lenora Park has an excellent walk in pool,lazy river,and slides that kids just LOVE! I dont really understand the excitement of going down a water slide 50 TIMES…(smile)..but,if it makes ‘em happy! I would be interested to hear of other Gwinnett kid-friendly parks.

By Aubrey

August 10, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

First Baptist Woodstock built an amazing playground that is open to the public. Areas for little ones and big kids and plenty of different activities.

By Amy

August 10, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

The renovated Dacula Park will have rubber surfacing and different area for all ages. We can’t wait!

By Lucia

August 10, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

The Children’s Playgarden at Clinton Nature Preserve off of Post Road in Douglas County, of course! It was the first Boundless Playgrounds project in GA, meaning it’s at least 75 percent wheelchair-accessible. That means the surfacing and design of the equipment is very safe for all children. Nice picnic shelter, inside of a walking track, nearby parking, lovely setting.

By Russ

August 10, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Swift-Cantrell in Kennesaw

By Carolyn

August 10, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

The Liane Levatan Park on North Peachtree Road near Tilly Milly Road is one of my favorites. I like the sections so that toddlers can be separated from the older children. Also a skateboarding park is located there.

By Paul

August 11, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

Piedmont Park is by far the most accessible for all of our children! We also enjoy Grant and Bessie Branham!

By Special Momma

August 11, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

The Coan Park Boundless Playground has a great variety and a beautiful setting. It’s not easy to find so always easy to keep an eye on the kids. All my friends go there now.

By Jack Lamont

August 11, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

The new Piedmont Park playground is so fun for the kids and seems to be designed for safety. The drums and climbing wall are our favorites.

By Dawn

August 11, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

Piedmont Park Boundless Playground is by far the best. Visually pleasing, safe and best of all my kid loves it!!!

By Mike Z

August 11, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

Passing through Atlanta recently we stopped at Piedmont Park’s Boundless Playground. Our 11 year old daughter had to be coaxed to the car, but the 16 year old had to be dragged. We’ll definitely be stopping by again!

By Heather A

August 11, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

Brook Run Park in Dunwoody is wonderful! Non-mulch surface, 2 separate clusters of playground equipment for different ages, plus a wooden built structure for climbing and free play, adjacent green space for kicking a ball around, and skate park.

By JoyJ

August 11, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

Piedmont Park Boundless

By JoyJ

August 11, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

Piedmont Park Boundless

By Jim

August 11, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

Piedmont Park Boundless is by far the most interactive and entertaining park in Atlanta. My children have spent countless hours exploring the many facets of the play area.

By Joel

August 12, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Piedmont Park’s new boundless playground is awesome!!!!

By Leslie

August 13, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

Piedmont Park Boundless

By Theresa

August 15, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Wow, while attending a meeting in Atlanta, my children went to play at Piedmont Park’s playground. I couldn’t get them to leave the park. They had a great time on “the best playground they had ever played on” Thanks!

By Park player

August 15, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

Piedmont Park’s new Boundless playground, Grant Park, Lenora Park , Bessie Branham and Coan Boundless are all great playgrounds. How can you decide the best!

By Elssa

August 16, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

stone mountain park has the best playground!

By Father of three

August 18, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

We saw the recommendations others made and decided to take a look at the new playground at Piedmont Park this weekend. All three kids gave it thumbs up. The true test came when everyone went right to sleep that night after a fun, active afternoon.

By DK

August 20, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

Hands down Brook Run in Dunwoody!

By DK

August 20, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

Hands down Brook Run in Dunwoody!

By wifey

August 22, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

East Cobb Park!

By b1ondie420

August 26, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Definitely Swift-Cantrell in Kennesaw!!!