2nd Stop - MUIR PARK in Downtown Sacramento

Our 2nd stop on our Summer Sprayground tour was Muir Park in Downtown Sacramento.  The water features at this park are those yellow poles you see in the photos.  They are misters and they turn on when you push a button.  The kids loved that they could operate them all by themselves.  They would run from one to the next and try to keep them all going.  You do not necessarily need bathing suits for this park.  It was fun with them on but the kids did not get drenched.

The playground at this park has been updated and it has an ocean them.  So cute!  The big hit was the huge net climber with a trampoline in the middle.  I’ve never seen anything like it!  We were there early on a cloudy  morning and had the park to ourselves, so I am not sure how crowded it usually is.  A while back a reader emailed me and told me about this park.  I am so glad that she did because it is sort of hidden back on C and 16th.  I think that a great outing would be going to to the Central Library and then head over to Muir Park to play!

Extras:
Sand play area
Entire park is gated
Shaded areas
Picnic benches

Stay tuned for several more stops on our Sprayground Tour!

Click here for a current list of Sacramento Spraygrounds which we are continuing to update.

Muir Park
1515 C Street
Sacramento, CA

*Click on the location for directions

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1st Stop - SWANSTON PARK

You might call them Splash Parks, Spray Parks, or parks with Water Features…but one thing is for sure…your kids love them!  The spraygrounds around Sacramento are one of the best ways to stay cool this summer.  They provide hours of fun and they are FREE!

My kids and I have been checking them out one at a time so that we can give you a first hand look.  I’ll be sharing lots of pictures of each park and then update my complete list of spraygrounds for you.  The parks all have a regular playground as well, so remember to bring tennis shoes with you.  We bring a picnic lunch along to make it even more fun!

Our first stop was at Swanston Park in between Arden Way and Folsom Blvd.  This is one of the biggest and best spraygrounds around.  It has lots of fun, colorful water features and is fun for kids of all ages.  This sprayground is open 11am -7pm, 7 days a week up until Labor Day, then weekends only until October 10th.  It has a great updated playground as well that the kids played on when they were ready to dry off.  This park is now on our favorites list!

Extras:
Bathrooms
Benches
Shaded Areas

Swanston Park
2350 Northrop Ave.
Sacramento, CA

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Stayed tuned for more stops on our Sprayground Tour!

Yesterday morning I decided that staying in was not an option for the boys and I.  We took advantage of the gorgeous sunshine and went to McKinley Park.  In my opinion, it is the best park in Sacramento!  I recently saw that Sacramento News & Review listed it as Best Picnic Spot and Best Playground.

Our Experience:

We wandered through the huge Rose Garden admiring all the beautiful colors.  Then we headed on over to the lake where we fed the ducks.  Isn’t it always fun, no matter what age you are?!  Once our bread was gone, we found a shady spot for our picnic.  Throughout our entire lunch, we were entertained by squirrels playing chase.  With the gorgeous greenery, the ducks, geese and squirrels, people walking their dogs and families playing…this park has a wonderful ambience!

The playground is a hit with kids of all ages.  The castle-like climbing structure is perfect for playing tag and hide-and-go-seek.  There are swings, bridges, slides, a tire swing, and monkey bars for the big kids and a tot lot complete with a sand pit for the little ones.

After getting their wiggles out, we walked over to McKinley Library for Toddler Storytime.  They really enjoyed the stories, songs and craft.  The librarian there is so great with kids!

The Expense:

A three hour outing filled with a variety of activities for FREE!

Tips:

Sometimes parking close to the lake and playground is limited, so if you have little ones, I suggest bringing a stroller for heading back to the car when they are exhausted.  If you have toddlers or preschool-age kids then try to combine your trip to this park with storytime at the library.  It is right next to the playground.  Toddler storytime is 11:00 on Tuesdays, Preschool storytime is at 11:00 on Wednesdays.

Don’t forget to bring bread for the ducks!

McKinley Park
601 Alhambra Blvd.
Sacramento, CA

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