Fairview Splash Park and Kentucky Gardens

If you are loking for some FREE summer fun, splash parks are a PERFECT way to cool off and have a great time.

This particular one is in Ohio City, a neighborhood in Cleveland. This park and gardens are located within a few blocks of the Westside Market.

I don't know when it closes for the season, but I assume it's labor day--as that is when many other waterparks close. Check with the city to verify though.

For the link to see information on Kentucky Gardens click here

For instructions to the park (that also has a nice ball field, picnic tables, and a big playground) click here.

It is on the corner of Franklin and W. 38th St in Ohio City.

Liberty Park and Saftey Town

LIBERTY PARK (part of Elmwood Park)

COST: Free

HOURS: Normal city park hours

How do I get there?
This is the address to the library. If you turn into the library parking lot and go to the far side of the library, you will see a road that keeps going back to your right. Turn there and you will see the houses and park.

OUR TAKE?
What an amazing hidden gem! This is such a great place! There really is play equipment for all ages...something for the young tots, and the old school age kids, and everyone in between. Tons to do and see. I love that there were so many places to sit and watch the kids, and a beautiful gazebo in the middle of the park for shade. There is a rock climbing wall, lots of swings, dinosaurs, etc.

There is also an ADORABLE little safety town lined with little houses. Town includes a working stop light and crosswalk signs, as well as real road signs to help teach children. I can't wait to go back and take their bikes so they can go on a ride through the town.

This park is GREAT for another reason...real, nice, indoor plumbing. Having young kids it is SO nice to have "facilities" available and accessible...that don't stink terribly. Everything was clean and nice and included drinking fountains inside and outside the building. I gave that part of the park 2 thumbs up!

Overall an AWESOME place to play!

The Farm Park

The Farmpark--located in Kirtland, Ohio

From the site:

Farmpark is a family oriented science and cultural center devoted to agriculture, farming, and country life.
-Come and experience this award-winning park where you can
-milk a cow
-take a wagon ride
-discover over 50 breeds of farm animals up close.
-marvel at the Border collie at work.
-explore solar and wind power
-learn about plant life at The Great Tomato Works and themed gardens

Read more here!

Our take?

First off, just the DRIVE to get there was AMAZING! Totally worth the trip! The Farmpark itself had all kinds of farm animals and things to do. They teach how to make cheese and show cows being milked, as well as letting the kids hand milk a cow (we missed that by a few minutes). There are also pony rides, for a couple dollars. They show basically how a farm runs, but in ways that kids can really get a hands on understanding. It was really neat! There is a schedule of what to do, so be sure to grab that and plan your day!

Admission Rates
Farmpark admission applies to daily activities and Farmpark special events.

General admission: $6
Ages 60 and older: $5
Ages 2 - 11: $4
Children younger than 2: Free
Farmpark members: Free


HOURS: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily (see website for more details)

How do I get there?

Preston's Hope Playground

The Preston's Hope Playground, located in Beachwood, Ohio, is the largest fully handicap accessible playground in NE Ohio. You can take a virtual tour by clicking here--and I HIGHLY recommend it! It is SO amazing-- The whole park is set up as a little "village" of houses, a bank, fire station, beauty salon, town hall, offices, etc. And there are interactive things throughout. From slides and swings to a dinosaur dig area, a castle wall, and a million more things...this place had it all!!! I still can't get over the fact that it's FREE. WOW....

The Preston's hope playground is truly one of the best places we have been to! While it was built as a handicap accessible playground, this playground has it ALL and is SO easy to get through as a mom with a stroller! :) It also has a few wonderful picnic shelters--and while you can't barbecue here, it is a PERFECT spot for a sack lunch and a full afternoon of play!

Read more about this great park!

How do I get there?

Hours

North Royalton Memorial Park

Now THIS is a park where children's dreams are made! WE LOVED playing here in this sprawling castle-like play place! There was definitely plenty to do--a sand area, lots of nooks and crannies to hide and play in, swings of all different sizes, a child's "basketball" area, etc. The park in general is beautiful, and has a nice path to walk, sports fields, and even a nice library sharing the property.

How do I get there?