Dorchester is lucky to have so many great parks and playgrounds for kids. My kid has swung, spun, and raced through many of them ... and definitely has her favorites!
Here’s a list of our family’s top five favorite parks and playgrounds in Dorchester and the reasons we love them:
*Park name: Hemenway Park
Location: Access from Adams St or Daly St (top of the park)
Features: Fenced in area, Playgrounds for little ones and big ones, Walking paths, Baseball field, Street parking
What my kid loves: 2 HUGE side by side plastic yellow slides, soft turf on both sides of slide for running up
What I love: Good for a range of ages (2-10), Lots of street parking available up at the top at Daly St entrance, Toddler area and swings are on one side of playground separated from the bigger, advanced section.
*Park name: Ryan Playground
Location: River St between Ridgeview Ave & Gladesdale Ave
Features: Lower Neponset River Trail, BEST Splash pad in town, Wading pool, Picnic area, Basketball & Tennis Courts, Playgrounds, Small parking lot, Street parking, Public restrooms
What my kid loves: Splash Pad and the Wading Pool, Multiple fountains/buckets/sprays, Super colorful
What I love: 2 lifeguards ALWAYS on duty, Shaded areas as well as sunny spots, NO FOOD allowed inside the Splash Pad area so it is always clean when we go.
*Park name: Martin Playground
Location: Hilltop St between Lenoxdale Ave & Myrtlebank Ave
Features: Neponset River Reservation, Neponset Trail, Splash pad (across the street), Covered picnic area, Playgrounds, Parking lot (across the street), Street parking (around perimeter of park)
What my kid loves: High structures, Spinning seat, Splash pad, House/Restaurant playhouse
What I love: Ample parking in lot, Clean park, Right off the highway (Granite Ave exit off 93)
*Park name: Pope John Paul II Park (66 acres)
Location: Hallet St off Gallivan Blvd OR Playground Entrance (off Gallivan Blvd on the right, after Walgreens)
Features: Neponset River Reservation, Neponset Trail, Soccer fields, Playgrounds, Mist stations, Covered picnic area, Public toilets, Parking lots at both entrances
What my kid loves: Wide open soccer fields, Playgrounds, Bike Path for scooting
What I love: View of the river, Cool breeze (summer only, brrr), SO MUCH parking, Walking trails
*Park name: Dr. Loesch Family Park
Location: Wainwright St & Brent St
Features: Playgrounds, Multiple structures (ropes, rock climbing), Spinning seats, Soccer field, Basketball courts, Small Sprinkler area, Street parking (around perimeter of park), Soft turf
What my kid loves: Ropes and Rock climbing structures, Spinning seats, Swings
What I love: Around the corner from home, Good for a range of ages, Little playgeound is separate from bigger, advanced section.
>> That’s our family’s top 5 list for favorite parks and playgrounds in Dorchester, but I bet your kids have their own favorites! Let me know what’s on your family’s list for Dorchester's best parks and playgrounds by leaving me a note on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mackiddorchester/ or emailing me at glakhan@macaronikid.com. I’ll be doing more Dorchester playground and park reviews in the future, so I would love to have your input!
Thanks for stopping by!
