Spring and summer are quickly approaching! The young ones who haven’t quite learned to walk are never too young for play time at the park. We’ve gathered a list of the best local playgrounds for crawlers, including soft ground surfaces (no bark chips or sticks to chew!) and playground structures that are lower to the ground.
West Portland
Cedar Hills Park
Cedar Hills Park is a cute little playground situated on a field of grass. The play area features a small treehouse style slide, swings, an igloo tunnel, and music instruments. Bonus: The park is also home to a multi-purpose athletic field and multi-use sport court, bocce ball courts, volleyball court, interactive splash pad, and picnic areas. 2300 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. Beaverton, OR 97005
Gabriel Park
Gabriel Park is an amazing, all-abilities playground with plenty of space to roam on rubberized ground. There are multiple different styles of swings, a small and large metal slide, a couple climbing structures, a water feature… need we say more?! Bonus: There is also a skate park, sand volleyball court, and off leash areas for the dogs. SW 45th Ave and Vermont St. Portland, OR 97219
Ridgeview Park
Ridgeview Park is a classic park with a wooden and plastic play structure and swings on artificial turf. Bonus: There is a short trike trail around the perimeter. 10001 SW Ardenwood St. Portland, OR 97225
Ibach Park
This one is a favorite! Ibach Park is a quaint neighborhood park with plenty of foam pathways that resemble a river, leading from a play structure to a play house and little “logs” in the “river”. The playground is low-to-the ground, with just a few steps leading to two different slides and a tunnel in between. Bonus: There is a little boat to explore and a platform to sit on if there’s a strong adult to crank the lever and power the platform across the river! There are also slides on the other side of the park for bigger kids. 10455 SW Ibach St. Tualatin, OR 97062
Cynthia Payne Playground
Cynthia Payne Playground, part of Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District’s Camp Rivendale, has plenty of ramps to explore, set on colorful turf. Bonus: Plenty of walking trails through Jenkins Estate. 8364 SW Grabhorn Rd. Beaverton, OR 97007
Frances Street Park
Frances Street Park has a taller play structure but we had to add it to the list because it is a playground/boat combo! The turf on the ground makes this a good park for all ages. Bonus: There are also sport courts, picnic areas, and lots of benches around the perimeter. 6205 SE Frances St. Hillsboro, OR 97123
East Portland
Cully Park
Cully Park has a rubberized surface area with sensory play elements, a teeter totter, spinner, slide, and swings. Bonus: Check out the sand and water feature! 5810 NE 72 nd Ave. Portland, OR 97218
Gateway Discovery Park
Gateway Discovery Park is a newer inclusive park for kids of all abilities. Bonus: There’s a really cool adult swing connected to a baby/toddler swing so you can face each other and as the adult swings, the baby/toddler swings with you! 10520 NE Halsey St. Portland, OR 97220
Luuwit View Park
Luuwit is the Cowlitz word for Mt. St. Helens, which you will see here on a clear day. Luuwit View Park offers rubberized surfaces to crawl around, swings, a small merry-go-round, a tall climbing structure, and a slide. Bonus: The park has a modern architecture ramada which makes a great spot for a picnic or birthday party. There is also an off-leash dog area and a large field. 3546 127th Ave. Portland, OR 97230
Pioneer Park in Clackamas
Pioneer Park is a small neighborhood park that offers a rubberized ground with large rocks, logs, tunnels to crawl/climb on and around. Bonus: lots of sunshine here! 14375 SE 153 rd Dr. Clackamas, OR 97015
Creston Park
Creston Park is another small neighborhood park that has been renovated to be more accessible. This park features swings, a netted climbing structure, and a tall slide built into the rubberized hillside (careful when wet!). Bonus: It also has an off-leash dog area and large grassy area. SE 44th Ave. and Powell Blvd. Portland, OR 97206
Lents Park
Lents Park is a large park with universally accessible play equipment including rubberized ground, as well as grassy areas. There are mounds and hills to crawl/climb up and a metal slide set in the hillside. Bonus: There’s a rock wall for older kids to climb up/on. SE 92nd and Holgate Blvd.
Gilbert Primary Park
Gilbert Primary Park has a rubberized play area with a climbing net, swings, mounds, and a slide. Bonus: In addition to the metal slide set in the hill, there is also a bigger tunnel slide. SE Foster Rd. and SE 134th Ave. Portland, OR 97236
Mayor Charles Becker Park
Mayor Charles Becker Park is a newer park in Gresham featuring a grassy area with some rock foundations and logs to explore on, swings, and a slightly tall play structure with plastic slides. Bonus: It also has a basketball court and picnic area. 4244 SW Tegart Ln. Gresham, OR 97080
Columbia Park/Imagination Station
You’ve got to check this one out! There’s lots to explore at Columbia Park, with ramps leading up to playground areas. Bonus: The park includes six acres of wooded area with trails. 1900 SW Cherry Park Rd. Troutdale, OR 97060
Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park
Verdell B. Rutherford Park has rubberized ground to explore, modern playground equipment, and fun “balls” on the ground, and a slide. Bonus: It also includes a little balance beam to practice walking! 16555 SE Mill St.
Have fun, crawlers!
- Sensory Friendly Indoor Activities for Fun Without the Noise - October 31, 2024
- Best Portland-Area Playgrounds for Crawlers - March 30, 2023