With kids out for the summer, it’s the perfect time to explore Nashville’s many playgrounds. Here are five of my favorites, from nature fun to imaginative play.
Otherwise known as Dragon Park, this is my favorite playground in Nashville, primarily because I’m a sucker for dragons. The giant mosaic dragon is so cool. The playground equipment is pretty typical, with lots of climbing structures, a couple of slides and swings, a separate toddler area, and my kid’s favorite, a merry-go-round that looks sorta like a UFO. It gets bonus points for plenty of parent seating and shade.
Okay, I lied, this is my favorite playground in Nashville. Instead of traditional equipment, nature playgrounds use natural elements like sticks, water pumps, wood cabins, and sand pits. This one, behind the Warner Park Nature Center, is semi-enclosed by a fence and has a nearby picnic shelter. You can head inside the nature center if you get too hot, or explore a shaded storybook trail. There’s also a wonderful nature playground at Shelby Park & Bottoms, but the Warner Park one edges it out because there’s a shallow creek beside it, perfect for creek stomping! Make sure to bring some creeking sandals, and keep an eye out for crawdads!
This East Nashville favorite has something for every age. The main playground set has a separate area for big kids and littles, while teens can enjoy the basketball courts. As a bonus, the Inglewood Elementary School playground is right across the street, and open to the public when school is out. Two for the price of one! The playground is located at the Inglewood Community Center, where you’ll find bathrooms and water fill-ups.
Head to Peay Park in Goodlettsville for this giant, inclusive playground where all kids are welcome. The playground is specifically designed to be disability-friendly, with wheelchair-accessible equipment, soft surfaces, and sensory features for kids on the autism spectrum. My kid especially loves the imaginative play areas, with mini cabins and musical instruments. There’s a splash pad right next to it, so bring bathing suits and towels.
Located in Brentwood, Miles Together was also designed to be fully accessible. Of all the playgrounds on this list, it’s the busiest, and for good reason. It’s got so many things to play on: Ziplines, a pretend play area for toddlers, plenty of slides and swings, musical instruments, and these little spinning seats that I never want to sit in again (Momma gets dizzy!). It’s fully enclosed with a fence, and there are picnic tables and bathrooms. Despite being busy, there’s plenty of parking.
