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

Aero Vista Park

120 Marine Dr (off of Barrancas)

This very small park is not for the excitement seeker. I'm sorry to report that there just isn't much here. What was there could barely be used during our visit. On the other hand, if you are looking for a quiet park for a quaint picnic, you have a good chance of that here. This park is very basic which could be a good thing if it were also very well taken care of. I personally like the fact that it is a grass park. The grass does not get as hot as the sand or poke little feet like wood chips.

Aero Vista Park: 2.6/5

Slides: 0/5

Climbing: 2/5

Running: 4/5

Covered Area: 5/5

Shade: 2/5

Upkeep: 2/5

Surroundings: 3/5

Bathrooms: 0/5

Swings: 3/5

Picnic Area: 5/5

Barrineau Park

6066 Barrineau Park School Rd, Molino, Fl (a little out of the way)

Although it is a little out of the normal park region for us, we visited the Barrineau Park School park. Trust me, it is more fun to play at than to say. My little climbers loved the choices that were provided. The lack of swings was a major drawback. The bathrooms were open when we visited, but I'm not sure about public operating hours.

Barrineau Park: 3.2/5

Slides: 5/5

Climbing: 5/5

Covered Area: 1/5

Running: 5/5

Shade: 3/5

Upkeep: 5/5

Surroundings: 5/5

Bathrooms: 1/5

Swings: 0/5

Picnic Area: 2/5