FJ 'Red' Kane Park

Kane Park is an older park with beautiful views of a fountain and pond.  It, like most Arlington parks, has separate structures for big kids and little ones. 

The 'big kid' playground is pretty awesome.  It has a three story climbing structure (as tall as a 3-story building) with three huge slides.  The top level (accessed only by a rung-ladder) is really high up.  I took my kids to this park when they were still toddlers, and it was too scary to let them play on.  But for 4 and up, it is great.  It also features two rock climbing structures and two big kid swings.

This one is for big kids!

The 'baby' playground is fairly small, and may not hold the attentions of an older toddler for long.  There are two baby swings.  

The little kid friendly side

This park boasts a pond with fountain feature, basket ball court, paved walking trail (around the pond), a  flock of friendly geese and ducks, and bathrooms.   There are several picnic tables (in the shade of large trees) to have lunch or do crafts, and plenty of benches for parents of older children to sit and watch.

Basketball court

Pond, dock, and geese

Picnic area

Kane park is located on Southbound Cooper Street, just past Hardisty Dr.  

6500 S. Cooper St

Arlington, Texas 76001

California Lane Park

California Lane Park is one of the few parks in Arlington with a splash pad or spray ground.  These features are open in the summer (and turn off when AISD school starts).

splash pad / spray ground

The playground is separated into two sections - one for smaller kids and one for larger.  The park can be rented out for parties, and there is a bulletin board near the entrance that tells you whether it has been reserved at all that week.  Be warned - the parking lot is small.  We attended a birthday party at this park once, and had to park  at the school across the (very busy) street.

Both playground structures are fun and fairly safe for all ages.  They are fairly new, and have a shade screen above each.  They have wood chip ground covering.  There are two big kid swings and two baby swings.

For little kids 

For bigger kids

There is a small covered pavilion, containing two picnic tables located near the splash pad and playground.

This park has two basketball courts that have stayed fairly active on our few excursions there.  There is also a soccer field, which we loved practicing on.  It is built in a bit of a bowl, so I would imagine that it gets really muddy after a rain.

Basketball court & soccer field

There is a short walking trail, leading to a pond with a fountain.  We didn't see any ducks, but I would imagine there are some occasionally.

California Lane Park is located between Bowen and Fielder Rd, directly across from Short Elementary.
2001 California Lane
Arlington, Texas 76015

Clarence Thompson Park

Clarence Thompson is a fairly small, older park.  It has lots of large shade trees, a small practice field/open space, an interesting play area, and a few picnic tables.

The play space for bigger children is fairly unique.  It is almost all climbing apparatus - lots of ropes, bars, and futuristic looking spinning devices.

Futuristic for big kids!

The playground for little ones is fairly modern in style, with slides, tunnels, periscopes that the kids can't help but look into (they work!), and a tiny little store front for pretend play.  There is also a spinning chair low enough to the ground for my preschoolers to climb into on their own.

For littler kids

Between the two there is the only merry-go-round I've seen since I was a child.  It is net-roped for safety, but one of my girls managed to fall out the entry 'hole' while a parent was spinning it around, so tell your kiddos to sit down and hold tight.  The playground features two baby swings and two regular ones.

Spinning seat and merry-go-round!

Thompson Park is on Brown Blvd, between Ascension and Collins.
1600 Brown Blvd
Arlington, Texas 76011

Allan Saxe Park

Saxe Park is a beautiful, well shaded park in South Arlington.  It features playgrounds for all ages and a large field for ball games or practices.  It also has a lovely winding (but fairly short) running path, paved for easy stroller use.

The playground for older kids has an eye-catching dragon to climb on (kids under 7 would probably need help getting up onto it), lots of balancing step-stones, a large climbing structure with dual slides (my girls love having 'slide races' when there are side-by-side slides), and a fun wobbly balancing apparatus.

For the big kids

Bouncy balance!

The littler playground looks like a little store-front on one side to help foster their budding imaginations.  There are plenty of tunnels, slides, and climbing too.  Both playgrounds have wood chip ground covering.  There are no swings of any kind on this playground, so skip this one if that's all your baby can or will do.

For littler tots

There were lots of people out jogging the path while we played - it is a lovely view, so we may come back to have a little nature scavenger hunt here soon.  The path winds around a small pond, and is very shaded by lots of oak trees.  There is no pavilion or cluster of tables, but for small groups, there are single picnic tables with little grills scattered around.

Walking trails and pond

Practice field 

Picnic area (there were several more like this scattered throughout)

Near the practice field, there is a young tree with a circular bench all around it - a nice place to rest!  We love this park, and will be back.  No restrooms, so go before you leave the house.

Allan Saxe Park is located on Curry Rd, just past Calendar.
3501 Curry Rd
Arlington, Texas 76001