Memphis Moms Playground Roundup
The importance of outdoor play is unequivocal. From the American Association of Pediatrics to the 1000 Hours Outside movement, the physical and psychological benefits of children spending time outside are strongly touted. And, let’s be honest, we grown-ups get cagey, too; time supervising children outside at a local playground can be more tolerable (dare I say, enjoyable) than within the confines of home.
No matter the season, join us as we go around the greater Memphis area and point out our favorite playgrounds for kids of all ages!
(Click the area to jump to the part of town you’re looking for!)
DOWNTOWN/MIDTOWN | EAST MEMPHIS | GERMANTOWN/COLLIERVILLE | BARTLETT/CORDOVA | ARLINGTON/LAKELAND
DOWNTOWN/MIDTOWN
East Parkway Playground | Overton Park, Midtown | This doesn’t exist on Google Maps, but believe us that it is there! Follow directions to East Parkway Pavilion, Memphis, TN 38112
This playground is another traditional type, with a small structure for younger kids and a larger structure for older kids. There are ample picnic tables and shade. Head into the Overton Park forest on the paved or unpaved trails, and make your way to the Rainbow Lake Playground or Zoo!
Peabody Park | Cooper Young | 712 Tanglewood St, Memphis, TN 38104
Peabody Park is your traditional neighborhood playground, with a twist: there’s a splash pad! This accessible playground offers swings and slides galore. There are big shade trees and a gazebo to help keep cooler in the summer heat. Pro Mom Tip: head there first thing in the morning if you have littles. It’s a popular teen hangout in the afternoon.
River Garden Park | Downtown (Fourth Bluff) | On Riverside, between Court and Jefferson
In addition to amazing views of the Mississippi River, this park has swings, hammocks, climbing structures, plus a couple of “nests” that my kids love playing pretend in. It’s close to the Pyramid parking lot, so if you’re in that area, check it out!
Rainbow Lake Playground | Overton Park, Midtown | Old Forest Ln, Memphis, TN 38104
One of the more unique playgrounds in the area, Rainbow Lake Playground is mostly all wooden, with natural and musical features built in. Climb through a tunnel that looks like a felled tree, or explore the maze of elevated platforms (with safety nets). Park and play here then walk to the Zoo, or visit Overton Park Shell just down the road! Real bathrooms located next to the covered pavilion. Click here to check out our reel featuring everything about Rainbow Lake!
Martin Luther King, Jr. Riverside Park | Downtown | W Mallory Ave, Memphis, TN 38106
This park includes a marina, playground, lake, ball field, 2 outdoor tennis courts, and a 1.2-mile paved walking trail! It’s a great park; the lake is pretty and your kids will love fishing on it!
Tom Lee Park | Downtown | Riverside Dr, Memphis, TN 38103
Newly renovated park with the most interesting playground you have ever seen! Made by a Danish company called MONSTRUM, the river otters, sturgeon, salamander, caterpillar and cypress trees will create the most unique environment for both your big and littles to get their energy out! The park also has hammocks, a beautiful sunset canopy, monuments, picnic areas, trails, a fitness zone and more! Definitely a MUST SEE!
EAST MEMPHIS
Audubon Park | East Memphis | 4145 Southern Ave, Memphis, TN 38117
Close to the University of Memphis, there is brand new playground behind the new Leftwich Tennis Center. The park also has a 1 mile paved loop walking trail.
 Avon Park | East Memphis | 310 Avon Road, Memphis, TN 38117
This also acts as the playground for White Station Elementary School during the school year, but Avon is a great little neighborhood park with big and little playground equipment and lots of swings. Many people bring bikes and practice riding without training wheels on the paved walking trail.
Holmes Park | East Memphis | Hickory Crest Drive, Memphis, TN 38119
A 20 acre park with a half mile walking trail, play area (basic swings and slides), and ball fields. This is a great East Memphis spot!
J.J. Brennan Park | East Memphis | 5465 Mason Rd, Memphis, TN 38120
Behind Richland Elementary, there is a great Richland Acres neighborhood playground with swings, slides, climbing equipment, soccer/baseball fields, and plenty of space to hangout and play. There is also a smaller playground in front of Richland Elementary for the baby/toddler crowd that tends to be less crowded.
Marquette Park | East Memphis | 4946 Alrose Ave. Memphis, TN 38117
This favorite East Memphis park features two playground structures (big & little kids), baby and big kid swings, a pavilion you can rent out, lots of open space to run, and a paved walking trail. There’s two porta potties in the rear area of the playground. Pro Mom Tip : the road next to the park is ONE WAY ONLY, so be sure to enter off of Mount Moriah.
Sea Isle Park | East Memphis | 1264 Wellsville Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
Sea Isle Park is both a walkable neighborhood destination and someplace to where you can drive – most people park on Wellsville Road (but of course be respectful to the residents). One play structure looks like a pirate’s ship, while the other has a more traditional round design with various types of slides shooting off of it. In between are swings (accessible, too) and picnic tables. You can even bring Fido – there’s a big dog park adjacent to the playground (but safely separated). The walking path around the entire park is exactly 1 mile.
GERMANTOWN/COLLIERVILLE
Bobby Lanier Farm Park | Germantown | 2660 Cross Country Dr, Germantown, TN 38138
Bobby Lanier Farm Park technically does not have a playground, but it has plenty of space to walk (or run) around. There are big wide open fields with bee hives, picnic tables/spots, two barns (you can rend one of them as an event space), and a small petting zoo with goats, chickens and dogs. They also host fun family-friendly events throughout the year.
Cameron Brown Park | Germantown | 8628 Farmington Blvd, Germantown, TN 38139
This park is HUGE at 55 acres. It features a lake, two playgrounds, lighted fields and walking trails. There’s wheelchair friendly picnic tables and a dock to go fishing. So fun! Plus, there’s real bathrooms next to a parking lot, between the play areas and near the baseball fields.
Germantown Municipal Park | Germantown | 1900 S Germantown Rd, Germantown, TN 38138
Located between the Germantown Athletic Club and the Germantown Library, this is a new accessible playground. It has great accessibility features for those with special needs, and also provides lots of shade in the hot Memphis Summers. There are lots of opportunities for sensory and imaginative play here!
Germantown Station Park | Germantown | 3061 Laurinburg Circle, Germantown, TN
The six-acre park contains a two-acre fishing lake with a paved trail around the lake, an ADA accessible playground, eight picnic tables, grills, trash receptacles, drinking fountain, and lake fountain.
Houston Levee Park | Germantown | 9777 Wolf River Blvd, Germantown, TN 38139
Close to Houston High School, this park has a cool skate park area for older kids!
H.W. Cox Park | Collierville | 440 W Powell Rd, Collierville, TN 38017
This park offers two great playgrounds, a walking trail, ball fields/batting cages, and tennis courts.Â
McVay Park | Germantown | 7335 McVay Rd, Germantown, TN 38138
With TONS of shade, your kids will have a ball while staying cool. It has a separate swing area with both baby swings and big kids swings plus climbing structures. A lake with a walking trail is a perfect way to end playtime! ** Not wheelchair friendly, unfortunately, but jogger strollers would work great **
Poplar Estates Park | Germantown | 1130 Poplar Estates Pkwy, Germantown, TN 38138
This is a great little park with TWO shady playground areas, picnic tables, and a half basketball court. Be warned for littles: there is water that your kids will find a way into…
Riverdale Park | Germantown | 7345 Neshoba Rd, Germantown, TN 38138
Riverdale Park has two playgrounds, one of which is completely accessible! The accessible playground is any child’s dream, complete with swings and slides. There are also rope climbing structures and a huge fake tree that is the centerpiece. Can you spot the hidden forest animals?
Suggs Park | Collierville | 163 E South St, Collierville, TN 38017
With a dog park, splash pad, and a fun playground, this park has something for everyone!
W.C. Johnson Park | Collierville | 419 W C. Johnson Park Dr, Collierville, TN 3801
Featuring a lake, playground area, and walking trails, this is a great park! There’s even a splash pad! **There are rules about who is and isn’t allowed to use the splash area; see our guide to water fun HERE for more information.
BARTLETT/CORDOVA
Bellevue Baptist Church | Cordova | 2000 Appling Rd, Cordova, TN 38016
The best part of Bellevue’s playgrounds? They’re all the way fenced in! They are open to the public. Plus, if your kids get too hot or want a snack (or heck, need to potty) then head inside to Creation Station!
Bert Ferguson Park | Cordova | 8505 Trinity Rd, Cordova, TN 38018
Next to the community center and library, this park provides plenty of fun for young and old. It has a playground, pavilions, a walking trail, tennis courts, picnic benches, and plenty of open space!
Ellendale Park | Bartlett | 3800 Greenleaf Cove, Bartlett , TN, 38135
This park has a fun playground, tennis courts, and a 3/4 mile walking trail. Definitely worth checking out!
Municipal Park | Bartlett | 2975 Altruria Rd, Bartlett, TN 38134
Located behind city hall, this park features a Japanese garden playground and lighted tennis courts. It sits on 10 acres and is honestly a really pretty place.
Woodland Discovery Playground | Shelby Farms Park | 651 N Pine Lake Dr, Cordova, TN 38018
Truly one-of-a-kind, Woodland Discovery Playground is considered Memphis’ premier sensory playground! It boasts everything from a sandy area to below surface level slides and rock wall-type structures, to elaborate rope climbing structures. This place is enormous, and will entertain even your oldest children. Real bathrooms are located at the entrance to the 4 playground “pods.”
Yale Road Neighborhood Park | Bartlett | 6241 Yale Rd, Bartlett, TN 38134:
Yale Road Neighborhood Park is bright and cheery with its colorful play structures. Climb on abstract shapes or play make believe in a construction vehicle-themed structure. Round out your visit with a walk around the lake!
ARLINGTON/LAKELAND
Buckhead Creek Recreation | Arlington | 8300 US-70, Arlington, TN 38002
There are three pavilions you can rent, a fishing pond, and a playground. With lots of walking areas and covered picnic areas, this is a place you can spend all day outdoors!
Playground of Dreams | Arlington | 5990 Chester St, Arlington, TN 38002
All built on astro-turf, the new playground boasts nine slides, a designated toddler area and toddler-size/baby swings, a jungle gym section, and large shaded areas for hot days. Plus, there’s a rope feature in the middle, which kids of all ages can explore and climb. There’s also a music area, swings, a small climbing wall, and interactive games. You could spend hours here! And bonus, real bathrooms!
Windward Slopes Park | Lakeland | 9774 Beverle Rivera Dr, Lakeland, TN 38002
The park features a 1/3 mile paved walking trail, parking, a great playground with water misters, a pavilion, two tennis courts, a ball wall, and restrooms.
Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park | Lakeland | 3065 Yukon Dr, Lakeland, TN 38002
This fun park has a great playground and a pavilion available to rent. It’s located in the Canada Woods subdivision.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. Search the Memphis Moms archives for other articles about outdoor fun or ask a friend for a recommendation. There are so many amazing outdoor play spaces across the region – rain or shine!
What’s your favorite playground?
