When it comes to parks, I like to think of Swamp Lake Park as STMA’s best-kept secret. While it’s a little “off the beaten path,” this recreation area is definitely worth a visit, especially if you have young kids.

The park itself has no parking lot, so to access it you’ll need to park on the street and walk in via one of the trail access points. The quickest and safest place to park is located in the cul-de-sac on 2nd Street NW. (click here for map)

In addition to swings and a sand pit, the playground has both a small play structure for toddlers as well as a larger one for the 5-10 age group. My kids love to play hide-and-seek with friends on this playground because there are a number of tunnels and tube slides to disappear into. They’re also big fans of the tire swing and seeing how many buddies they can fit on it at the same time!

Be sure to pack along your stroller to give tiny toddler legs a break, and consider having your bigger kids bring their bikes or scooters as the long straight trail is a great spot to pick up some speed.

Swamp Lake Park
Location: 1/4 mile west of Main Street on Heights Road | 398 Heights Road NW (map)
Features: Playground, basketball court (located on NE end of park, between 1st and 2nd Ave), soccer field, gazebo, paved trail, green space
Playground Turf: Wood chips, plus a small sand area
Recommended age range: 1–10
Restrooms: Portable
Parking: Street parking
Trails: Single sidewalk separating playground and green space from wetland area