Business Directory

Asbury Woods is a great place to get out and explore with 205 natural acres of fields, forests and streams. Don't miss the Grandmother Tree (pictured above), along with the Little Woods natural playground, and make time to visit the Nature Center, where kids can see live animals and insects such as turtles, rabbits and bees.

playground/basketball/pickleball/roller skating

Bayview Park - as its name suggests - overlooks Presque Isle Bay, offering beautiful waterfront and Presque Isle views. Along with a splash pad, the park is also home to a playground and a little free library. You will also find the new Erie sign so popular for photos on social media on the path nearby! 

The City of Erie's Frontier Park, with more than 1,000 trees,  is full of treasures waiting to be discovered. Your kids will want to spend time at the playground, but also make time to find the labyrinth, climb trees and splash in the creek. Coming soon: New 40 foot slides on the bluff next to the playground!

This park is located right next to the Erie Zoo. Along with a playground, there are covered pavilions which are a popular place to hold birthday parties and other celebrations.

playground/baseball/soccer/basketball/ volleyball/shelter

The bluffs here offer spectacular views of Lake Erie. Early in the morning and in the evening you are likely to see  bald eagles flying (plus, sunset!). A playground here, built in 2014, offers lots of fun. The 125-acre park also has trails, including a walking trail that takes you down to the water edge. Pavilions available for rent.

This bayfront park offers remarkable views and a fun playground. A wide lawn offers kids a fun place to run and play. 

playground

McClelland Park's brand new playground just opened in spring 2021. It includes a really fun zipline, lots of trails — including some that are wheelchair accessible. We also love taking our dogs to the Larry R. Fabrizi Dog Park on site! 

Picnicana Park is located on 34 acres. There are two playgrounds, a wooded area, and a trail that takes you over a stream and into a forest carpeted with ferns later in the summer — it's quite magical. There are fully equipped kitchens and pavilions available for rent. 

Playground Paradise opened the summer of 2019 and became an immediate favorite for families across Erie County. The park, built by the community, includes a three-story climbing structure, lots of fun slides, and tot areas. Watch our video above to see the park up close!

Presque Isle State Park gets about 4 million visitors a year and is, by far, Erie's top attraction! There are two playgrounds on Presque Isle: One is near the Waterworks Ponds, and includes fun climbing equipment that can be difficult for younger kids to navigate. The second one, at Beach 11, was just built in 2017, and is made of mostly natural materials. There are lots of places for kids to climb, play hide and seek, and explore. Beach 11 is also my favorite beach with my kids — it's wide and shallow and, since it's a bit of a drive, not typically not as busy as some of the other beaches.

Shades Beach Park includes trails, woodlands, play areas, picnic grounds, a beach area (a good place to find beach glass!), and a boat launch. There are also two picnic facilities available for rent, each with complete kitchen operations.

It's easy to spend hours at this park: There is a playground, a creek and a small children's pool to splash in. You can also play volleyball and tennis and buy treats (super cheap prices!) at the concession stand, which is open seven days a week all summer long. There are also more than 50 outdoor tables and grilling facilities. Pavilions are available for rent.