Deaver Park

Deaver Park is an older park.  The playground is split into two areas.

The smaller play area (for kids 5 and under) is perfect for small toddlers.  It has low climbing opportunities, a double slide for slide races, a small spiral slide, a musical wall, covered treehouse, and pretend storefront.

The larger structure (for kids 5-12) has two bridges, matching parapets, three slides, and some climbing areas.  This play area would likely not hold bigger kids' attentions for long, but for the kindergarten set, it was pretty good.

This park has tons of place to run around and play.  There are soccer fields, basketball courts, practice fields, and a shaded picnic area.  There are plenty of paved trails to bike ride too.

Deaver Park is on Kelly Elliott, between Sublett and Green Oaks.
5800 Kelly Elliot Road
Arlington, Texas 76017

Brantley-Hinshaw Park

Brantley Hinshaw Park is one of the three playgrounds in Arlington with a spray ground/splash pad in addition to a regular area.

The spray ground area is the smallest of the three parks, but the water features do their job... keeping kiddos cool in the Texas heat.  And there is a large covered area attached for picnics or supervising parents.

Splashpad

The playground is split into two play structures.  They are defined as 2-5 and 5-12, but the baby side held the attention of my five year olds for much longer than the older play area, which is rare.  The younger area boasts plenty of climbing, three slides, a little pretend storefront, a tunnel, and a little climb-on car.

The are for older kids has lots of monkey bars, some low-level climbing areas, and a slide.  There are no baby swings, but you could bring a huge group of big kids out and they wouldn't have to fight over swings... there are 7 regular swings.

There is plenty of shade at this park for spectators (both man made and tree created), but the playground itself is mostly unprotected by the sun.  The ground cover is a combination of wood chips and spongy safety surface.

This park has a walking trail.  It has perfect areas for kids to ride their bikes and remain seen by parents.  And there is a practice field as well as basketball courts attached.

Basketball & Soccer fields

This park backs up to Atherton Elementary, so during school hours, there may be elementary kids on a 'field trip' to the park.  Off hours, you can wonder over to the school playground just a few feet away for some added play space.  There is no restroom at this park.

Brantley Hinshaw Park is located just off of Sherry Street, near Mayfield.
2121 Overbrook Drive
Arlington, Texas 76014

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

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