12+ Absolute Best Playgrounds in Frederick County, MD
Frederick County is really an amazing place to visit for the day or a weekend trip. Not only that, if you are planning a trip to Western Maryland, West Virginia, or Southern Pennsylvania, there is a high likelihood you will be driving through Frederick County! So, we set out to visit all the best playgrounds and give you the details in this guide. These are definitely the best playgrounds in Frederick County, MD. And some of them are among the best playgrounds in Maryland and the region.
Oh, and one more thing… every playground on this list is absolutely FREE to visit!
Sophie and Madigan’s Playground
Sophie and Madigan’s Memorial Playground in Frederick, MD is a spectacular playground with a tragic but completely heartwarming story. Kids of all ages and abilities would love to visit and play on this princess and wonderland-themed destination playground.
Related: Read our Kid Friendly Guide to Sophie and Madigan’s Playground!
Fantasy Land is the original playground that opened in April 2021. It is a princess/fairy tale-themed playground. The centerpiece of Fantasy Land is the huge fairy tale castle play structure.
Phase 2 is Wonderland and it’s themed for Alice in Wonderland. There are great climbing structures for older kids, as well as some fully inclusive playground equipment that would be fun for kids of all ages and abilities.
Ballenger Creek Park Playgrounds
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.
The first playground is located right near the entrance at Ballenger Creek Pike and was recently renovated with a huge upgrade. It’s located right next to the baseball fields and has both a large play structure and smaller play set for younger kids.
The second playground, just a little further down the park road, is a fully inclusive playground. It has a great play area for younger kids and then a truly wonderful play structure with an aero glider, ramps, and other interactive games that would appeal to kids of all ages and abilities.
The third playground is located in the back of the park near the soccer fields. It hasn’t been updated but still has super fun playground structures the whole family would love.
Related: Check out Our Kid Friendly Guide to Ballenger Creek Park!
Pinecliff Park Playground
Pinecliff Park seems like it’s far away from everything but it’s not— only 10 min from downtown Frederick, 10 min from Sophie and Madigan’s playground, etc… but at 1130am on a gorgeous Saturday there was literally no one playing at this amazing park— let that sink in.
Apparently the playground was renovated recently and wow! There are two play areas— a toddler area and the amazing play structure for older kids.
There are swings for everyone and ramps/music features, and more to make this playground exciting for older kids, safe for younger kids, and accessible for all kids.The park itself it gorgeous too with walking trails and ball fields… and apparently when it’s colder and snowier outside, they offer ice skating and a killer sledding hill!.There is plenty of parking and public restrooms next to the playground.
Related: 100 FREE Maryland Activities for Kids!
Kemptown Park Playgrounds
This amazing community park has not 1, but 3 playgrounds.. and 2 of them have recently been renovated.. and they are awesome!
Playground #1: This is the first left hand turn you will make when you drive into the park. It is pirate themed and the attention to detail is fantastic. As for play features there are slides, numerous climbing structures that both older and younger kids would love, musical instruments and imaginative play features, a merry-go-round spinning thing, and a big circle swing.
If you keep driving to the back of the park, you will see the other 2 playgrounds. The playground in the back of the park near the tennis courts is a standard playground.. it hasn’t been updated. It’s still nice though!
However, the playground closer to the front of this area is just as fantastic as the pirate playground! It is more medieval castle-themed and there are large slides, climbing walls and structures, imaginative play structures– including a dragon and castle keep. This playground does not have shade or fencing.. and none of these playgrounds appear to have swings. But the theming more than makes up for it!
Related: Read our Kid Friendly Guide to Kemptown Park
Loys Station Park Playground
Loys Station Park- this is a great park with a fantastic playground with play features for both older and younger kids. There is a covered picnic pavilion, and a flat boardwalk trail. Of course the main event is the covered bridge — and you can get a great look on either side of it!
Related: Best Maryland Attractions for Families
Utica District Park Playground
Wow, Utica District Park is phenomenal.
Ok, the first playground you come to at the front of the park is really quite nice. It isn’t completely fenced in but there is a wooden fence around it and it’s right next to a covered picnic area. This first playground has a play area for younger and older kids with slides, climbing structures, and some cute ride ons (a duck, bear, and frog).
However, if you drive to the back of the park, you will be completely amazed! This newer part of the park has a fantastic playground area. There are actually two playgrounds here– one for ages 5-12 and one for younger kids. Both playgrounds are fully fenced in and both have shade.
The larger playground is fully accessible with ramps and special swings. It has 4 older kid swings, tons of slides, climbing structures, a merry-go-round thing, and tunnels.
The younger kid playground area has age appropriate slides, vehicle themed ride-on’s, and swings for younger kids.
Walkersville Community Playground
We always visit this park when we go to Walkersville for the Walkersville Southern Railroad. It’s conveniently situated 5 minutes away from the train station. The park is expansive with lots of open space and different play areas spread out around it. It is typically not crowded. However, on certain Wednesdays throughout the summer they have special train rides that stop at this park for a picnic, so the park can get very crowded at that time, with a train load of kids spilling out around lunch time.
In addition to the playground areas there are three covered pavilions, volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, and a paved walking trail that connects with Fountain Rock Nature Center.
Watkins Park in Mount Airy (technically in Carroll County)
Watkins Park in Mount Airy (not to be confused with the Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro) is definitely a sleeper hit! This park is actually in Carroll County– but just barely. Mount Airy is actually in both Carroll and Frederick Counties.. and this park is on the Carroll County side! There are two distinct playground areas. The older playground is near an entry point for the Old Main Line Mount Airy Rails to Trails. This playground is still really well maintained, with great slides and climbing structures for kids, as well as swings.
However, if you continue along the park road, you will be dazzled by the newer Watkins Play Place playground. This newer playground has it all. It’s a rather large playground but the play structures are spread out so you won’t feel crowded. There are boundless play features like an aero glider, ramps, and plenty of musical play features.
It has challenging climbing obstacle courses, slides for both older and younger kids, and fun swings like the saucer swing.
Bonus! Watkins Park is less than 10 minutes from Rock Hill Orchard and the Woodbourne Creamery!
Othello Regional Park
Othello Regional Park is a really fantastic park to check out if you are exploring the C&O Canal, Point of Rock, or on your way to Washington County and Western Maryland.
The playground is fenced in and has play structures suitable for younger and older kids. Tons of slides, climbing features, and swings for younger and older kids, as well as kids with accessibility needs.
Oh, and there is the coolest racing car ride on too!
Related: Check out Rocky Point Creamery for Ice Cream and Sunflowers!
Middletown Park
Middletown Park is an incredibly picturesque park with multiple playgrounds your kids will love! When you pull into the park the first thing you will see is the Middletown Pond. You can walk around this pond and just enjoy the scenery. Or, you can fish! There are even ADA compliant fishing areas.
But let’s talk about the playgrounds. The first playground is next to picnic tables and a covered picnic pavilion next to the pond. This playground is fenced in and there are public restrooms in the parking lot. It has great slides for younger and older kids, climbing ropes, a climbing wall and more.
If you drive to the back of the park, next to the sand volleyball court there is another, even bigger playground! This playground is also fenced in and there are public restrooms next to the playground. I think they might only be open seasonally though (or when there are games being played. If that is the case, the restrooms at the front of the park are open).
This playground is incredible. There are monkey bars, great climbing structures, imaginative play features, and slides!
Middletown Park is only 10 minutes from South Mountain Creamery and about 15 minutes from Washington Monument State Park.
Related: Best Maryland State Parks for Families
Old National Pike District Park
Pro-Tip: Old National Pike District Park is literally 2 minutes from Gaver Farm. Keep this in mind if/when you are visiting Gaver in the fall and your kids get sensory overload and need a break.
This park is lovely. Like many of the Frederick County parks, there are multiple playground areas. The playground at the front of the park has slides and climbing structures that would appeal to both older and younger kids. It also has some cute ride-on’s. However, it doesn’t appear to have swings.
The playground toward the back of the park is a bit bigger. It doesn’t have ride-on’s but does have swings for older kids, younger kids, and kids with accessibilty needs.
This playground has separate play areas for kids 5-12 and toddlers. It isn’t fenced in but it’s surrounded by wide open spaces.
There are really nice walking paths and trails that start at the playground area. So, great for kids and bikes/scooters!
Related: 100 Best Things to Do With Kids in Maryland
Urbana District Park
Urbana District Park is about 8 minutes from Green Meadows Petting Farm and right on the road going from Frederick to Montgomery County. There are two playgrounds in this park and the bigger one near the front of the park is huge. This is one of Frederick County’s Barrier Free Playgrounds and it has so many fun features for kids of all ages and abilities. There are tons of slides, climbing features, and both regular and baby swings.
They also have nice clean public restrooms right next to the playground.
Related: Take a Tour of Maryland’s Ice Cream Trail
Green Hill Park
This park is located in the middle of a big field next to a new build housing development. There isn’t any shade but this small playground literally has play features for everyone!
There are two giant saucer swings, a play house, tunnel, slides and climbing features that would be great for younger kids and some climbing features for older kids. On the edge of the playground there are some fun musical instrument play features as well.
There might not be shade at the playground but there are picnic tables. When we visited there were no port-a-potties, but there was a spot for one in the parking lot. I imagine it is available seasonally.
Related: Best Easy Hikes for Kids in Maryland
Big Slide at Mount Tabor
The entire family will love this pit stop! The Big Slide Mount Tabor Park At Rocky Ridge is a gigantic wooden slide about 30 ft tall and open to the public. Parents and kids will both want to take a few turns! There is a playground too.
Middletown Memorial Park
This playground looks really new or remodeled, and it’s right in downtown Middletown! It has fantastic climbing features and slides, ride-on’s for younger kids, a separate play area for younger kids, and swings for everyone!
This playground is partially shaded and is right next to a covered picnic pavilion.
FAQ
For older kids, the best playgrounds in Frederick are the first Ballenger Creek Park playground, Pinecliff Park, Watkins Park, and Sophie and Madigan’s Playground.
Our picks for best young kid playgrounds are Green Hill Park, Urbana District Park, Middletown Park, the 2nd Ballenger Creek Park playground, Othello Park, Utica District Park, Kemptown Park, and Sophie and Madigan’s Playground.
The best fully accessible and inclusive playgrounds in Frederick are Sophie and Madigan’s playground, the 2nd Ballenger Creek Park playground, the new playground at Watkins Park in Mount Airy, Urbana District Park, and Utica District Park.
The playgrounds which are fully fenced include Othello Regional Park, Utica District Park, and Middletown Park.
Sophie and Madigan’s playground, Othello Regional Park, Utica District Park, Urbana District Park, Ballenger Creek Park, Middletown Park, Watkins Park, and Walkersville Community Park.
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