playcrest park

Last weekend we had a freakishly wintery blizzard. This weekend it's nearly 50° each day. What did we do to celebrate? We hit up a new park . . . or two . . . or three!

Call it overkill; we could care less. My little humans and I were made for outdoor spaces. We've been having so much fun the only indicator of our need to slow down were huge baggies under our eyes at bath time. I'm talking my-kids-look-like-they-got-two-black-eyes kind of baggies.

I'll write about each park we've gone to this week in a different post so I can cover them in detail and do each some justice. First up: Playcrest Park (2390 Lydia Avenue East, St. Paul).


Here's what you need to know:
Parking: Roomy off-street parking by the playground and lot parking by the basketball court (which are, unfortunately, on the complete opposite side of the park from where the playground is)
Age range (playground): 1+
Sidewalks: One parallel to the road with a fork that leads up to the playground
Seating: A couple of benches and a bench swing
Bathrooms: Portable (but not located near the playground)
Picnic tables: Yes (1)
Grills: Yes (1)
Sports field: One open field, a baseball field, a basketball court

We frequent Playcrest in the summer both because it's close to a friend's house (and Maplewood Mall!) and because there are so many things I love about it.


The playground is laid with mulch. All of the equipment is still in excellent condition. There's a playground for kiddos 1-3 and another for kiddos 3+. Most of the time, each of my kids can have fun independent of my help.

There's a swing set with two baby swings and two regular swings. The regular swings are low-set so my four-year-old can get on by herself. By the swing set are standing and sitting spinners. Behind the spinners are a grill single picnic table (no shade).

The little-kid playground has two mini slides, a tunnel, and plenty of challenges to climb over, on, and through. Close to this playground are two spring riders (a bee and a ladybug) that can fit up to two kiddos each at a time (big bonus for us!).


The big-kid playground has several slides that vary in construction. One has a steep drop, another spirals, and a third is short and sweet. Kids can get to the top level of the playground via stairs, a curved ladder, climbing wall, or climbing net.

Another reason I love this park is the standalone bench swing that sits on the side of the park. Think of it as a porch swing with a foot rest. It's perfect parents, especially pregnant ones!

While we haven't made much use of the sports fields or courts also featured at this park, they are often in use by others when we visit. Playcrest is definitely a magnet for locals in need of a break from city views.


My only complaint about Playcrest is that it sits atop a hill. This makes it a chore for both me and my kiddos to get to the playground when we park off-street next to it. There's also no shade near the playground, so if you plan on visiting, go in the mornings or evenings.

If you ever need to convince your kids to go to Maplewood Mall with you, promise them a trip to this amazing park afterwards. It might just be the incentive you need.