Aragon Park

Santos St & Aragon St (off S 9th ave)

This little neighbourhood park offers boat loving and pirate loving parksters some real fun opportunities. There are three play boats. This sand bottomed park lacks slides, picnic tables, and climbing opportunities. It does include log rolls, monkey bars, addition spinners, and a zip line. There are a few toddler and regular swings. There are not picnic tables, but there are benches. This park is worth trying despite the low scores.

Aragon Park: 2.2/5

Climbing: 1/5

Swings: 4/5

Slides: 0/5

Shade: 2/5

Bathrooms: 0/5

Covered Area: 0/5

Picnic Area: 2/5

Upkeep: 5/5

Surroundings: 5/5

Running Area: 3/5

Carriage Hills Park

1810 Broyhill dr (off Mobile Hwy)

This is a small neighbourhood park which is not well cared for. We did like the old-school climber. This Sand park has placed that look burnt, graffiti ridden, and bent. When we were there, there was what appeared to be urine all over one of the slides. There was a very large covered picnic area. Parking was difficult at this park.

Carriage Hills Park: 2.2/5

Slides: 2/5

Shade: 4/5

Swings: 4/5

Climbing: 2/5

Surroundings: 1/5

Upkeep: 0/5

Covered Area: 4/5

Picnic Area: 4/5

Running Area: 1/5

Bathrooms: 0/5

Avondale Park

6809 Vestavia Ln (near Saufley Field Rd)

This newly remodeled park was made for older parksters in mind. There are no toddler swings and the play structure is very tall. There is a basketball court here. There are many climbing opportunities here including some I have seen in very few other parks. There is a large covered picnic area too. Parking is curbside at this sand park.

Avondale Park: 3.8/5

Swings: 3/5
Slides: 4/5
Climbing: 5/5
Covered Area: 5/5
Running Area: 5/5
Picnic Area:5/5
Bathrooms: 0/5
Surroundings: 4/5
Upkeep: 4/5
Shade: 3/5

Toledo Square

17th & Gonzalez

This is a great modern park with plenty of climbing opportunities. There is also a spring bus that the younger parksters are guaranteed to love. There are two play structures for different age groups. There are panels for teaching emotions and the alphabet. Under one of the play structures is a built in little store. Oak trees give off some shade to parts of the park but also give off leaves and acorns to litter the sand. This park will challenge your child's imagination too. There is a covered picnic table, but not quite enough room for a medium or larger sized party. There are no toddler swings.

Toledo Square: 3.9/5

Slides: 5/5

Covered Area: 4/5

Swings: 2/5

Climbing: 5/5

Surrounding Area: 5/5

Upkeep: 5/5

Picnic Area: 5/5

Running Area: 5/5

Shade: 3/5

Bathrooms: 0/5

Estramadura Square

5th & Lakeview

This is a cool little downtown park. There is both a large and small play structure. There are regular as well as toddler swings. This park has some sand parks, but the majority of the play structure area is shredded rubber bottomed. The climbing opportunities here are hard to beat. There are also spring riders including a spring seesaw. Running space abounds at this park. A water fountain is available. There are no picnic tables but there are sporatic benches.

Estramadura Square: 3.5/5

Slides: 5/5

Climbing:5/5

Running:5/5

Covered Area: 0/5

Shade:3/5

Upkeep:5/5

Bathrooms:1/5

Surroundings:5/5

Swings: 5/5

Picnic Area: 1/5

Lamancha Square

14th and Cross

This park includes a very large lawn and extensive sidewalks. This sand bottomed park does not include swings. There is a water fountain. The stand alone slide is one of the old-school metal variety therefore it is pretty tall. This park is small but can be used by a variety of ages. There are no picnic tables, but there are several benches.

Lamancha Square 2.2/5

Slides: 3/5

Climbing: 1/5

Running: 5/5

Covered: 0/5

Shade: 2/5

Upkeep: 5/5

Surrounding: 3/5

Bathrooms: 1/5

Swings: 0/5

Picnic Area: 2/5

Lakewood Park

670 Lakewood Rd (off of Barrancas)

This was a nice waterfront park. Even with all the oil booms out, our picnic was quite picturesque. Parksters can enjoy watching the boats travel by as they sit under the shade tree. The tables are pretty uneven, but if my easily distracted boys were able to overcome this, then I am sure yours can too. This is a sand park which will hold heat and may burn little toes through their sandals. There are no swings at this park. We have seen this play structure design a few times already, but the kiddos do not seem to mind it.

Lakewood Park: 2.7/5

Slides: 2/5

Climbing: 5/5

Running: 5/5

Covered Area: 0/5

Shade: 1/5

Upkeep: 4/5

Surroundings: 5/5

Bathrooms: 0/5

Swings: 0/5

Picnic Area: 5/5