We are lucky on the North Shore of Massachusetts to have so many great playgrounds and parks to explore. From swings to slides, to climbing walls and water features, North Shore parks and playgrounds keep my family active, are a great place to meet old friends (and make new friends!), and they're relatively low cost!
I often get asked what our favorite playgrounds or parks are, so I thought I'd share here with you my family's picks for our top five playgrounds and parks to visit on the North Shore.
ENDICOTT PARK
57 Forest Street
Danvers, MA 01923
Today, Endicott Park attracts nearly 160,000 visitors a year. It is home to some of the most unique and varied recreational land on the North Shore. The park’s varied landscape includes pastoral views, historic farm buildings, orchards, woodlands, and marshes, with a network of trails and gravel roads for stress free exploration of the park. Passive recreation activities for all ages abound, ranging from hiking, fishing, picnicking and enjoying the playground in the warmer months, to sledding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter.
Spotting wildlife throughout the year is not uncommon and can include species such as cottontail rabbits, beaver, coyote, whitetail deer, and a plethora of grey squirrels! In addition, the bird watching can be very productive, with ample food sources and resting areas for resident and migrating species.
Endicott Park is open 365 days a year from 9am – sunset. A staff of three (3) full-time and three (3) part-time/seasonal Park Rangers are responsible for the stewardship and maintenance of the grounds, facilities and care of our farm animals. In addition to their stewardship, public safety and maintenance responsibilities, staff also offer year-round environmentally orientated recreation programs.
Amenities at Endicott Park:
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GREAT NECK PARK
128 Littleneck Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
What we love about Great Neck Park:
Neck Park is a state of the art park, it is located near pavilion beach. It has a pirate ship play area with rubber coating on the ground surface. There are soccer nets as well as a half-court basketball court. There is a paved walking trail around the park, a gazebo and swing sets.
Amenities at Great Neck Park:
What are the amenities here parents will care about? Ones to think about: bathrooms, water features, handicap accessibility, picnic tables, trails, etc. Not sure? The municipality that takes care of the park often keeps this info on their website. Tips: try to keep these columns at equal length so they look aligned when you hit publish. Feel free to replace the bullet points you see here with emoticons for some visual interest!
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BRADLEY PALMER STATE PARK
40 Asbury Street,
Topsfield, MA 01983
What we love about Bradley Palmer St. Park:
Amenities at Bradley Palmer State Park:
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PATTON PARK
Bay Rd
Massachusetts 1A
South Hamilton, MA 01982
What we love about Patton Park:
We have enjoyed this park for many years. Located in the town center, there's so much to do great for all ages. Fabulous playground, tennis courts, sports fields, basketball courts, pool, Sunday concerts at the bandstand, ice skating on Weaver Pond...... Many town events including fireworks! A great resource for Hamilton and the North Shore!
Amenities at Patton Park:
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Winter Island Park/Waikiki Beach
50 Winter Island Road
Salem, MA 01970
(978)745-9430 / fax (978)745-1875
What we love about Winter Island Park:
Winter Island is a hidden gem in Salem. There's a nice park, a boat launch, a beach and campgrounds for campers and tents. Picnic tables and charcoal grills are available for cookouts too. There is also a historic and picturesque lighthouse right by a revolutionary war era Fort Pickering.
Amenities at Winter Island Park/Waikiki Beach:
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We hope this list of top five playgrounds and parks on the North Shore of MA helps you find -- or rediscover! -- some fun places for your family to explore. Now get those kids out to play!
