After a Wisconsin winter, spring prepares us for everything outside as soon as possible. Some parks can be muddy in these early warm days in April or May, but some fantastic parks in the Fox Cities have rubberized playground surfaces that keep knees and bottoms dry and mud-free.
- Arrowhead Park, Grand Chute
- City Park, Downtown Appleton
- Derks Park, South Appleton (Darboy area)
- Erb Park, Appleton
- High Cliff State Park
- Jefferson Park, Menasha
- Jones Park, Downtown Appleton
- Lafollette Park, Kaukauna
- Lions Park, Grand Chute
- Lundgaard Park, Appleton
- Memorial Park, Appleton
- Pierce Park, Appleton
- Riverside Park, Neenah
- Town Center Park, Grand Chute
- Van Lieshout Park, Little Chute
- Verhagen Park, Kimberly
- Washington Park, Neenah
Oshkosh Parks
Find more information about Oshkosh Parks on our sister site, Go Oshkosh Kids!
Worth the Drive Parks
- Titletown District, Green Bay
- JoJo’s Playground, Wausau
- Riverlife Park, Wausau
- Shaw Family Playground, Sheboygan
Find a Park with Rubber Ground Near Me
Arrowhead Park, Grand Chute
Arrowhead Park is a neighborhood park in Grand Chute, a hidden gem in a neighborhood off Casaloma Drive. The park features a playground, basketball hoop, and big open field for various fun activities. It also has picnic tables and a shelter, making it a great place for family picnics and events. Enjoy a stroll on the boardwalk!
At-A-Glance
- 5000 Aster Ln, Appleton (west of Casaloma Drive)
Park Highlights
- Musical instruments
- Climbing features
- Nearby pavilion with shade for picnics or watching kids play
- Small hill for running (or rolling) down and has great views
- Basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts
- Boardwalk trail
- Catch and release fishing pond
Nearby Things to Do
- Fox River Mall, 4301 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton
- Starbucks and Crumbl Cookies are not far!
City Park, Downtown Appleton
City Park has lots of green space to run and a beautiful fountain to check out in warm weather. There is plenty of space to have a picnic and the park is close to fun things to do and see downtown. A visit to this park can be a destination for a lunch or snack break on a mural hunt or a stop after a visit to the Building for Kids.
At-A-Glance
- 500 East Franklin Street, Downtown Appleton
- Pets Allowed – Appleton parks allow leashed dogs on trails only
- On-street parking available
- Bike racks available
Nearby Things to Do
Nearby Coffee and Ice Cream
- Copper Rock, 210 West College Avenue
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Full menu of hot and cold coffee, blended coffees, and tea
- Bakery and gelato
- Brewed Awakenings, 107 East College Avenue
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Full menu of hot and cold coffee drinks
- Bakery
- Menu with vegan and vegetarian options for breakfast and lunch
- Acoca, 500 West College Avenue
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Full menu of hot, cold, and blended coffee drinks
- Hand-dipped ice cream, bakery, and breakfast and lunch menu
- Seth’s Drive Thru, 323 East Washington Street
- Little dive through or walk up quite near City Park
- Full coffee and tea menu and limited bakery options
- Doughlicious, 322 West College Avenue
- Blended iced coffees, boba smoothies, SnoBiz Shaved Ice, ice cream, and edible cookie dough
- Crazy Sweet, 514 West College Avenue
- Candy shop with hand-dipped ice cream, fun ice cream creations like a Cotton Candy Burrito
Derks Park, South Appleton (Darboy area)
Affectionately known as Target Park, this little gem is surrounded by green space and is nestled far enough away from the road to feel comfortable with younger kids. It is always a great option for stopping after running errands to get out some wiggles before heading home or to use as an incentive for a smooth shopping trip.
At-A-Glance
- 3220 East Guyette Street, Appleton
- Pets Allowed – Appleton parks allow leashed dogs on trails only
- Parking lot available, on-street parking is allowed and gets you closer to the playground
- Bike racks available
Nearby Coffee and Ice Cream
- Starbucks – Three locations: 3420 East Calumet (in front of Target), 1800 South Kensington Drive (inside of Target), W3226 County Road KK (in front of Kohls)
Erb Park, Appleton
Erb Park is one of many parks in Appleton that has recently received a fun makeover. It is really fun for older kids and is one of the rare spots that our teen will get in on the action with our grade-schooler. There are great climbing features, lots of swings, and plenty of off-ground opportunities for fun.
At-A-Glance
- 1800 N Morrison St, Appleton, Wisconsin
- Pets Allowed – Appleton parks allow leashed dogs on trails only
- Parking lot available at the main entrance
- Bike racks available
Park Highlights
- Toddler play structure and swings
- Adult and baby swing
- Slacklines and climbing features
- Spinning and bouncing stand alone
- Interactive music feature
- Umbrella shaded benches
- Corn hole court area (bring your own bean bags)
- Ping pong table (bring your own paddles and balls)
- Outlet/charging station
- Tennis courts
Nearby Coffee and Ice Cream
- Whisk and Arrow, 1915 N Richmond Street
- Drive through bakery, coffee, espresso, and drinking caramel and chocolate
- Happy Bellies, 2107 N Richmond Street
- Gluten-free bakery, coffee
- Dairy Queen, 1813 N Richmond Street
High Cliff State Park
High Cliff State Park is a beautiful natural area in Sherwood, Wisconsin, and features stunning views of Lake Winnebago. The park offers hiking and biking trails, fishing, boating, and even a swimming beach. Visitors can also explore the park’s limestone cliffs, historic lime kilns, and abundant wildlife. The park added a playground to the park in 2021. The playground makes a perfect kid-friendly stop before or after a hike exploring.
At-A-Glance
- N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood
- Go Valley Kids Article Feature Guide & Favorite Things to Do
Nearby Things to Do
- Wanick Choute Park, Castle Dr, Sherwood
- Mulberry Lane Farm, W3190 County Road B, Hilbert
Nearby Coffee and Ice Cream
- Mud Creek Coffee, W571 Castle Dr, Sherwood
Jefferson Park, Menasha
Jefferson Park, located at 915 Third Street in Menasha, Wisconsin, is a 28.9-acre community hub nestled along the shores of Lake Winnebago. In June 2024, the park unveiled a new, expansive playground designed to accommodate over 200 children. This water-themed play area features a lighthouse, cattails, pelicans, butterflies, frogs, and turtles, creating an engaging environment for imaginative play.
Notable features include a dual-track zipline with an inclusive swing, a 4-foot artificial turf hill with slides and climbers, musical equipment, a spinning net climber, a fully accessible “rock ‘n ship,” a 14-foot climbing tower, generation (adult/child) swings, and a wheelchair-accessible ramp leading into the main play structure.
At-A-Glance
- 989 Kargus Dr, Menasha
Park Highlights
- Newly updated playground in summer 2024
- dual-track zipline with an inclusive swing
- 4-foot artificial turf hill with slides and climbers, musical equipment, a spinning net climber
- fully accessible “rock ‘n ship”
- 14-foot climbing tower
- generation (adult/child) swings
- wheelchair-accessible ramp leading into the main play structure.
- Lakefront views of Lake Winnebago with kayak & boat launch
- Other Amenities: Menasha community pool, sand volleyball court, large outdoor pavilion
Nearby Things To Do
- Heckrodt Wetland Preserve, 1305 Plank Rd, Menasha
- Amazing outdoor playground with zip line and mud kitchen, accessible boardwalk, frequent sightings of wildlife, including deer
- Municipal Beach, Brighton Beach Rd, Menasha
- Access to Lake Winnebago, including small play area, unsupervised beach & swimming area, kayak access to lake, and picnic area
- Waverly Beach, N8770 Fire Lane 1, Menasha
- Lakeside dining, playground, live music, and family nights with balloon animals & face painting
Nearby Coffee & Bakery Treats
- Manderfield’s Home Bakery, 811 Plank Rd, Menasha
- Doughnuts and bakery treats abounding, including homemade artisan breads & German pretzels
- The Sweet Lair, 204 Main St, Menasha
- bakery and board game café
- Shellattes, 330 N Commercial St, Neenah
- Super cute and cozy cafe offering indoor/outdoor patio seating, coffee drinks & bakery, and an assortment of used books & antiques available for purchase.
- Parker John’s BBQ & Pizza, 124 Main St, Menasha
Jones Park, Downtown Appleton
Jones Park, a gem in Downtown Appleton, has fun play structures with cool climbing features. Lots of green space for picnicking. There are lots of things to do nearby and murals in walking distance.
At-A-Glance
- 310 West Lawrence Street
- Pets Allowed – Appleton parks allow leashed dogs on trails only.
- Parking lot available off of Water Street, parking ramp located on Lawrence Street, and on street metered parking
- Bike racks available
Park Highlights
- Structures for big and little kids
- Unique playground features, including climbing and balancing areas
- Music features include large chimes
- Set down in a valley far from streets
- Shady areas
Nearby Things to Do
Nearby Coffee and Ice Cream
- Copper Rock, 210 West College Avenue
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Full menu of hot and cold coffee, blended coffees, and tea
- Bakery and gelato
- Brewed Awakenings, 107 East College Avenue
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Full menu of hot and cold coffee drinks
- Bakery
- Menu with vegan and vegetarian options for breakfast and lunch
- Acoca, 500 West College Avenue
- Indoor and outdoor seating.
- Full menu of hot, cold, and blended coffee drinks. Hand-dipped ice cream, bakery, and breakfast and lunch menu.
- Seth’s Drive Thru, 323 East Washington Street
- Little dive through or walk up quite near City Park
- Full coffee and tea menu and limited bakery options
- Doughlicious, 322 West College Avenue
- Blended iced coffees, boba smoothies, SnoBiz Shaved Ice, ice cream, and edible cookie dough
- Crazy Sweet, 514 West College Avenue
- Candy shop with hand-dipped ice cream, fun ice cream creations like a Cotton Candy Burrito
Lafollette Park, Kaukauna
La Follette Park, located at 220 Park Street in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, is a local park offering a variety of amenities for visitors. The park features playground equipment, a basketball court, and a rental pavilion equipped with indoor restrooms and grills, all overlooking the scenic Fox River.
In June 2024, the city unveiled a new playground at La Follette Park, designed to be accessible to children of all abilities. This playground includes a rubberized surface suitable for mobility devices, a universal swing, and lower transfer platforms to facilitate ease of access to various play structures.
At-A-Glance
- 402 Brill St, Kaukauna
Lions Park, Grand Chute
This park is great for little ones, though a large sandbox and sand play area cannot be avoided if you prefer to skip sand play.
At-A-Glance
- 3155 Longwood Lane, Grand Chute
- grandchute.net
- Parking lot available very close to the playground.
- Bike racks available.
Park Highlights
- Easy to keep an eye on kids at this small playground.
- Lots of open green space for playing games, running, kite flying, and picnicking.
- Large sandplay area including a raised table.
Nearby Things to Do
- Houdini School’s playground is just across the green space and is huge
- There are lots of cool features but the surface is woodchips
- Bubolz Nature Preserve, 1835 E. Edgewood Drive
Lundgaard Park, Appleton
Lundgaard Park is Appleton’s newest park, dedicated to honoring the legacy of Mitchell Lundgaard, a 14-year veteran of the Appleton Fire Department who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The fire station-themed playground was installed in 2024 and the park also includes basketball and pickleball courts.
At-A-Glance
- 4900 N Lightning Dr, Appleton
Park Highlights
- fire-themed, all-inclusive, ADA-accessible playground
- rubberized pour-in-place surfacing
- 2-5 year old play structure with all its fun interactive features
- separate play structure for older kids with climbing features and slides
- MOVMNT Xtreme – an interactive movement game for all ages and abilities that will test your fitness, your agility and your speed
Nearby Things to Do
- Plamann Park, Appleton
Nearby Coffee and Ice Cream
- Copper Rock, 1835 E. Edgewood Drive, Ste. 108, Appleton
Memorial Park, Appleton
Sitting on 143 acres on the north side of Appleton between Ballard Road and Meade Street (east of Highway 41) Appleton Memorial Park reigns as the biggest of Appleton Parks. The park has seven softball diamonds, a Miracle League Field, Appleton Family Ice Center and Scheig Garden. There are three playgrounds on-site, in addition to paved and unpaved walking trails and an urban fishing pond. During winter, it is one of our favorite sledding hills!
At-A-Glance
- 1620 East Witzke Boulevard
- Pets Allowed: Appleton parks allow leashed dogs on trails only
- Parking lot available with a short walk over a bridge to get to the playground
- Bike racks available
Park Highlights
- Universal Playground
- Double swing for babies and adults to use together
- 2 other playgrounds including another accessible for all playground at Miracle Field
- Miracle Field is a small baseball field that also has a rubberized surface
- Fishing pond – those older than 16 need a license outside of designated days
- Great park for kite flying
- Scheig Center nearby the playground features a StoryWalk
Nearby Things to Do
Pierce Park, Appleton
Pierce Park is another that reopened in 2020 with a completely refreshed playground. There are really great features that are not available at other area playgrounds. This playground is set far away from the street, though there is a small through road and parking lot nearby.
At-A-Glance
- 1035 West Prospect Avenue, Appleton
- Pierce Park Review
- Pets Allowed – Dogs on leashes are allowed only on trails in Appleton parks
- Parking lots available very close to the playground
- Bike racks available
Park Highlights
- Zipline!
- Unique play structures and equipment including climbing structures, merry-go-round type features, surfboard and saucer style swings
- Trail throughout the park
- Disc golf course
- Fun moon sculpture for a perfect Insta Worthy capture
- Ample off street parking in multiple lots
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Ice Cream and Coffee
- Copper Rock, 210 West College Avenue
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Full menu of hot and cold coffee, blended coffees, and tea
- Bakery and gelato
- Brewed Awakenings, 107 East College Avenue
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Full menu of hot and cold coffee drinks
- Bakery
- Menu with vegan and vegetarian options for breakfast and lunch
- Acoca, 500 West College Avenue
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Full menu of hot, cold, and blended coffee drinks
- Hand-dipped ice cream, bakery, and breakfast and lunch menu
- Seth’s Drive Thru, 323 East Washington Street
- Little dive through or walk up quite near City Park
- Full coffee and tea menu and limited bakery options
- Doughlicious, 322 West College Avenue
- Blended iced coffees, boba smoothies, SnoBiz Shaved Ice, ice cream, and edible cookie dough
- Crazy Sweet, 514 West College Avenue
- Candy shop with hand-dipped ice cream, fun ice cream creations like a Cotton Candy Burrito
Riverside Park, Neenah
This Neenah playground is often called “Rocket Park” for the rocketship-style play structure. The surface is not rubberized but is a plastic turf style. This is a great park for big kids; it can be tricky to navigate for toddlers and young preschoolers.
At-A-Glance
- 500 East Wisconsin Avenue, Neenah
- Riverside Park Review
- Pets Allowed: Leashed dogs are allowed in Neenah Parks
- On-street parking is available near the playground
- The bathrooms are a distance away from the playground, so it might be good to hit them before playing
- There is open water nearby
Park Highlights
- Zipline!
- Tall and long tube slides
- Lots of green space for running, playing games, and picnicking
- Plenty of shaded benches
- Sand play area
Nearby Things to Do
Nearby Coffee and Ice Cream
- Broken Tree Pizza, 124 West Wisconsin Avenue
- Chocolate Shoppe ice cream and unique pizza menu
- Dairy Queen, 450 South Commercial Street
- All of the usual Dairy Queen treats and a menu of hot sandwiches and snacks. But the real star is their popcorn. Get a big bag and thank us later.
Town Center Park, Grand Chute
This was a new park to Grand Chute in 2019, with plans to continue to grow. It has fun natural-themed equipment and structures and is a fun spot for all ages!
At-A-Glance
- 1850 West Grand Chute Boulevard, Grand Chute
- Town Center Park Review
- There is plenty of parking in multiple lots.
Park Highlights
- Rock wall
- Small spider-web climber, twist rope climber, and rock climbing walls make this a great park for kids that love climbing
- Paved walking trails
- Lots of green space for running, playing games, kite flying, and picnicking
Nearby Things to Do
Van Lieshout Park, Little Chute
This Little Chute park is a great destination for younger kids. In 2020, the adjoining tot lot was resurfaced with rubber and the play structures and swings were replaced.
At-A-Glance
- 721 Elm Dive, Little Chute
- littlechute.org
- Parking lot available
Park Highlights
- Fun climbing and slide features
- Paved walking trails
- Picnic areas
- Small hill for rolling down
Nearby Things to Do
Nearby Ice Cream and Coffee
- Seth’s Coffee, 106 East Main Street
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Full hot and cold coffee drinks menu, tea, lunch items, and hand-dipped ice cream
Verhagen Park, Kimberly
Verhagen Park is a 4.4-acre neighborhood park located across the street from Westside Elementary. With a playground, pickleball courts, a covered shelter, and a soccer field, there’s plenty of space for little ones to run, play, and burn off energy.
At-A-Glance
- 829 W 3rd, Kimberly
Park Highlights
- NEW playground was updated in the Summer 2024
- slides, swings for people of all abilities, a ninja ramp, and a kid-powered game called MOVMNT Xtreme
Nearby Things to Do
- Heart of the Valley YMCA
Nearby Ice Cream and Coffee
- Cheeky Doughnuts, 710 W Kimberly Ave, Kimberly
- Butch’s Pizza, 510 W Kimberly Ave, Kimberly
- Old Glory Cafe
Washington Park, Neenah
Washington Park is a beautiful green space in Neenah. Families can enjoy a large playground, picnic areas, and a beautiful pond with a fountain. This Neenah park and playground got a major overhaul in 2019 and now includes a fun splash pad!
At-A-Glance
- 631 Winneconne Avenue, Neenah
- Washington Park Review
- Parking lot and on-street parking available.
- Pets Allowed: Leashed Dogs are allowed in Neenah Parks.
Park Highlights
- Lots of fun climbing features including a spider web climber
- Music features including large scale chimes
- Small and large play structures available
- Adult sized fitness equipment area
- Paved trails for walking
- Murals at the pavilion
- Lots of greenspace for running, playing games, and picnicking
Nearby Things to Do
Nearby Coffee and Ice Cream
- Broken Tree Pizza, 124 West Wisconsin Avenue
- Chocolate Shoppe ice cream and unique pizza menu.
- Dairy Queen, 450 South Commercial Street
- All of the usual Dairy Queen treats and a menu of hot sandwiches and snacks. But the real star is their popcorn. Get a big bag and thank us later.
