Guide to Ballenger Creek Park in Frederick County, MD

Ballenger Creek Park is a linear park in Frederick, MD that is a fantastic place to hang out with your kids! At it’s heart, Ballenger Creek Park is a community recreational park with three playgrounds, a 4-mile walking path, recreational ball fields, and the Ballenger Creek dog park.

Ballenger Creek Park Overview

Throughout Ballenger Creek Park there are picnic tables and picnic pavilions with some of the pavilions having amenties like horseshoe pits. There are soccer fields, volleyball nets, and other ball fields for recreational sports.

There is a really nice walking path throughout the park and an urban linear trail (see below for more details).

Ballenger Creek Park is also home to a dog park that is great for larger and smaller dogs.

Playground #1- mostly for older kids

Did I mention there are 3 playgrounds at Ballenger Creek Park? The first playground is located right near the entrance at Ballenger Creek Pike and was recently renovated with a huge upgrade.

This playground would be great for kids of all ages, but the play structures are particularly appealing to older kids. The main play structure has so many climbing play features.

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There are rope walks, big slides, and both climbing walls and netted climbing opportunities.

There are also numerous spinning play features. For younger kids there is a separate play area with a gorgeous butterfly, as well as some great pretend play structures.

There are a few swings at this playground. One accessible swing, one toddler swing, and two regular swings.

This playground seems to get a little shade and there is a public restroom (not port-a-potties) in the playground parking lot.

Playground #2- for kids of all ages and abilities

If you drive a little further into the park, there is another fantastic (and newly renovated) playground on your right. Pull into the parking lot and you can’t miss it. I love that this playground has a tot lot that is separate from the main playground.

The entire playground is super bright and even though I think this playground was renovated at about the same time as the first one, they have a very different feel to them.

The tot lot has age appropriate slides, imaginative play structures, and separate toddler swings.

The larger playground is fully accessible and inclusive. This playground is just plain awesome. For kids with disabilities, there is an Aero Glider, plenty of ramps, and musical play features that would appeal to all kids.

Related: Sophie & Madigan’s Playground is only 10 minutes away!

This playground would also be fun for older kids though. It has plenty of climbing play features, as well as some spinners.

And that slide… check out the awesome yellow slide. I imagine this slide is super fun for kids!

This playground is not as shaded as the first one (although there is a shade over the tot lot) and it isn’t as close to actual restrooms. Still, there is a port-a-potty in the parking lot. And right next to the playground is a covered picnic pavilion.

Playground #3- Older playground but still super fun!

Yep, there are 3 playgrounds at Ballenger Creek Park! The 3rd playground is deeper into the park, near the dog park. This playground is smaller than the other two and hasn’t been renovated (yet). However, it’s still a very nice playground.

If you visit the park and the other two playgrounds are swarming with kids, this is definitely a great option. There are plenty of swings for both older and younger kids.

And the play structures, albeit dated, are still fun.. with climbing features, slides, and more.

This playground is right next to a public restroom facility and picnic pavilions as well.

Related: Have you been to the Wizard of Oz playground? Check out this guide!

Ballenger Creek Park Linear Trail

The linear Trail is a 4-mile paved path that connect Ballenger Creek Park with Buckeystown Pike. This is a fantastic trail that is ADA compliant.

It is flat, paved, and great for walkers/joggers, bikes and scooters, strollers, and even wheelchairs.

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