If you have toddlers at home, you know that being outside offers so many benefits for them and yourself.
However, the heat and harsh full sun can be a hindrance to outdoor fun, so looking for cool playgrounds with shaded areas is a must.
Fortunately, shade structures are very common at the playgrounds in our area; you probably don’t even notice them when you see them, but they are there for a reason.
Many playgrounds have canopies over the play areas, and some have – or are surrounded by – nearby trees (you may even find a spot to put up a hammock).
Many also have a pavilion with some tables and seating. So, grab a picnic basket and blanket, head to the park and take the kiddos out to play.
Here is a list of shady playgrounds for your family to enjoy despite the heat. Enjoy!
Shady Parks in Plano
Liberty Playground at Windhaven Meadows Park
Address: 5400 Windhaven Pkwy Plano, TX 75093
A 20,000-square-foot playground designed for children with or without disabilities. A place for them to play together in a safe and fun environment.
This playground offers 40% sensory play activities and 60% physical play structures built on synthetic turf. This equipment helps explore the six elements of play: social, emotional, physical, sensory, cognitive, and communicatory.
There is also a sensory garden with wooden elements, water features and ample shade structures and trees.
Liberty Playground is also one of 6 Awesome Accessible Playgrounds nearby
Arbor Hill Nature Reserve
Address: 3800 Rainier Rd, Plano, TX 75023
Plano’s residents’ favorite, and you will know why when you get the chance to visit. It offers many outdoor activities for the family, including a shady playground for your little ones to enjoy. Don’t miss out on the observation tower, which gives a breathtaking view of the city.
Liberty Park
1200 Mill Valley Road Plano, TX 75075
This neighborhood park has a playground with a shaded pavilion, picnic tables, grills, open sports fields, and a drinking fountain to quench your thirst.
It features a M41-A3 Walker Bulldog tank, which weighs 23.5 Tons, is 26.9 feet long and 8.9 feet wide. It has a 76mm gun and could travel at 45mph.
These tanks were produced in the 1950’s by the Cadillac Plant at Cleveland, Ohio. This model of tank was provided by the US to the South Vietnamese and used very successfully against the North Vietnamese T54/55 tanks in the Republic of Vietnam during the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Jack Carter Park
Address: 2800 Maumelle Dr, Plano, TX 75023
This is the former site of Jack Carter Pool, which became the first all-abilities playground in Plano.
The playground design allows children to have fun together while engaging themselves in different ranges of movement, climbing, tactile, visual, and auditory play equipment.
Other amenities are a pond, pavilion, picnic tables, sand volleyball, trails and restrooms.
Big Lake Park
Address: 3800 Rainier Rd, Plano, TX 75023
A beautiful and relaxing neighborhood park with a playground for kids ages 2 and up. It is located along the Chisholm trail, so you often see some runners and bikers.
It has some picnic tables, grills, and a drinking fountain. The lake added beauty to this park and the steps allow a closer interaction to the water and with the ducks and seagulls.
You can fish or just sit and have a relaxing day.
Haggard Park
Address: 901 E 15th St, Plano, TX 75074
Bob Woodruff Park North
Address: 2601 San Gabriel Dr, Plano, TX 75074
Buckhorn Park
Address: 3601 Mission Ridge Rd, Plano, TX 75023
A neighborhood park that features a pavilion, newly renovated playground, backstops, practice fields, basketball court and a walking trail-loop to the interior of the park.
It is a great place for the whole family for some playground fun and even for a picnic.
Willowcreek Park
Address: 2101 Jupiter Rd, Plano, TX 75074
For more: Here are 12 Awesome Outdoor Playgrounds in Collin County
Shady Parks in Frisco
Hope Park at Frisco Commons
Address: 8000 McKinney Rd, Frisco, TX 75034
It’s a great asset to local families and well worth a visit! This park, within Frisco Commons Park, is just off Main Street near Preston Road. It’s big, innovative and provide a variety of entertaining play experiences for kids. It’s not just slides and swings!
An area for younger kids with accessible play equipment of all types and a more challenging area for older ones.
It has 3 play areas:
- Top Lot (2-5 years)
- Big Kid Lot (5-12 years)
- Friendship park for all ages
Other Parks near to Plano
Bi Centennial Park
Address: 9349 Sunset Dr & McKinney Road, Frisco, TX 75034
Limestone Quarry Park
Address: 1230 Maltby Dr, Frisco, TX 75035
Duncan Park
Address: 5700 Norfolk Ln, Frisco, TX 75035
Shady Parks in Allen
Watters Crossing Park
Address: 1201 Bel Air Dr, Allen, TX 75013
Celebration Park
Address: 701 Angel Pkwy, Allen, TX 75002
Treehouse Playhouse at Watters Creek
Address: 970 Garden Park Dr, Allen, TX 75013
Green Park
Address: 1305 Comanche Dr, Allen, TX 75013
Shady Parks in McKinney
Towne Lake Recreation Area
Address: 1405 Wilson Creek Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069
Bonnie Wenk Park
Address: 2996 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75071
Al Ruschhaupt Park
Address: 2708-, 2710 N Brook Dr, McKinney, TX 75070
Valley Creek Park
Address: 2750 Valley Creek Trail, McKinney, TX 75070
Check out more Outdoor Playground Ideas for Kids of all ages