Lincoln is chock full of playgrounds and parks, but these parks are our favorite for swinging, sliding and playing in the sand.
1. Holmes Lake Park
Normal & 70th
Nestled next to a lake, this park offers not only a great playground, swings and sand but also trails around the lake for nice strolls. Kids love to watch people fishing, to skip stones and to investigate the world below the water. Tip: This park is home to many community events like Family Fishing Night and Water Fest and can be packed on the weekends. Public Restrooms are available. Lots of parking.
2. Antelope Park
A St & 33rd St
Lincoln's biggest playground goes to Antelope Park where your kids can play and play and play. This park is great for all ages with a smaller 2-5 year old playground and a very large structure for older kids. There are over 15 slides at this park, swings, a sandbox, tons of ladders and steps, and more. There are trails around the park, lots of green space, plenty of picnic tables and the Auld Pavilion. Additionally, this park is across the street from the Lincoln Children's Zoo so if you are feeling up to it, you can head across the street for more fun. Tip: The only downside to Antelope Park is that it is difficult to watch more than one child due to the size of the structure. Public Restrooms are available. Lots of parking.
3. Bill Harris Iron Horse Park
7th & Q Streets
Located in the heart of downtown Lincoln, the Bill Harris Iron Horse Park is a welcome spot for parents with young kids. Before or after a meal or show, kids can climb their energy out at the park's climbing train structure. My kids can spend as much time at this small park exploring the various trains as they can at Antelope Park. Tip: Instead of trying to get your kids to sit through a nice meal, get takeout and your kids can play for an hour while you enjoy your meal from one of the benches next to the train climbing structure. No public restrooms. Parking is limited.
4. Stransky Park
17th & Harrison
Another unconventional park on our list, Stransky has a small playground, ride-on and swings but they also have a water feature that is a like a moth to a flame for kids. There are steps leading up to the "second story" of the feature and kids love to go up and down and up and down. This park is shady, nicely landscaped and is fenced. Yes, fenced! There are two gates out of the park but other than that it is completely fenced. Tip: You will need to watch kids (big and small) near the water feature. Kids love to climb on the boulders and it would be a long and painful fall if they slipped. In the summer, Stransky is home to one of Lincoln's outdoor music series. No public restrooms. Parking is limited.
5. Pioneers Park
3201 S Coddington Ave
6. Mendoza Park
Blackstone & Benziger
Mendoza Park offers a "break" from the standard playground structure that is often found (tunnel slide, twisty slide, bridge connecting the two with some steps and ladders leading up to the bridge). Their play structure is long with lots of slides, ladders, bridges, monkey bars and different climbing obstacles. There are also swings, a couple of different ride-ons and great greenery surrounding this park. There are no trees surrounding the playground so this is not a good park in the middle of summer but on a cool day in the fall or spring, this place is great. Mendoza is located in South Lincoln (near Sam's Club) and is a neighborhood park. There are no restrooms and the parking is hard. Tip: If you live near Mendoza, you can take one of the trails over to the park. But if you don't, you'll want to park at Blackstone & Benziger and take the trail down from there.
7. Neighbors Park
30th & D St
This is the smallest park on our list and also a neighborhood park (meaning no restrooms and limited parking). So, why did we include it? Shade. This park has huge trees surrounding the playground, swings and benches. There is rarely a time during the day when the park isn't shaded, which in the hot summer is a huge plus. It is across the street from the Lincoln Children's Zoo and kids will hear (and see) the ZO&O Railroad coming by. Hint: Prepare yourself for a little one to ask for a train ride a couple of times. No public restrooms. Parking is limited.
8. Union Plaza
21st & O St
One of Lincoln's most unconventional parks, Union Plaza offers a climbing structure, trails and lots of fun hidden surprises like animal statues scattered throughout the area. The trails are always packed with runners, walkers and bikers. Kids will love discovering all the hidden animals. This park is beautifully landscaped and right now has a gorgeous bee and butterfly flower garden. Tip: the climbing structure does not have a platform at the top. It is open so kids have to climb up, climb across and then slide down. It is slightly terrifying to watch the first few times. No public restrooms. Parking is limited.
9. Trago Park
N 22nd St & U St
Lincoln's only public spray park, Trago Park offers a fun splash pad for kids and doubles as a playground in the off-season months. The splash pad is open Memorial Day thru Labor Day from 11:00 AM-7:00 PM. The sprayground has some shade covering but it can get very hot in the summer months. There is shade surrounding the area and we've enjoyed many picnic lunches before/after playing on the splash pad. Make sure your little ones are wearing shoes. Tip: This park is really fun in the cold months too! Public restrooms are available. Parking can be hard to find as Trago is near UNL and the Clyde Malone Center.
10. Densmore Park
6701 S 14th St
Located next to the Cooper YMCA and the Walt Library, this park has one big perk: line of sight. Densmore is a on a hill and there aren't many trees near this park meaning little shade but it has a great line of sight for parents watching more than one kid or parents of a "runner." This park offers swings, playground, merry-go-round, ride-ons, tire swing, see-saw and more. Tip: This park can be very windy. If it is a little windy at your house, it will definitely be windy at Densmore. Public restrooms available. Lots of parking.
I hope you are able to enjoy the many parks that Lincoln has to offer! Remember to play safe at the park, especially those parks that are near water.
