I hope I am not jinxing us, but with a relatively mild winter thus far, it is a great time to get the kids outside to play. We have some of the most creative, inventive parks and playgrounds in Massachusetts right here on the North Shore.

We're lucky to live in an area with so many great playgrounds to explore. Here are some local playgrounds you'll be visiting all year long. 

WEST NEWBURY

ACTION COVE

15 Bachelor St. West Newbury MA 01985

Action Cove's whimsical, nautical-themed wooden play structure offers enough steps, slides, lookouts, and hidey holes to keep kids entertained for hours.

AMESBURY

AMESBURY TOWN PARK PLAYGROUND

5 Highland St. Amesbury MA 01913

This expansive, newly renovated playground forms the heart of Amesbury's park-recreation scene, boasting state-of-the art play equipment and a splash pad in summer.

NEWBURYPORT

BARTLET MALL PLAYGROUND

151 High St. Newburyport MA 01950

This relatively small playground overlooking the "Frog Pond" (Bartlet Mall Pond) benefits from easy access both to downtown Newburyport and to the footpath that rings the pond.

CASHMAN PARK

202 Merrimac St. Newburyport MA 01950

Stop by Cashman Park on any given afternoon in good weather and you'll find a social scene populated by parents, their babies and kids, and a wide variety of strollers, scooters, trikes, and bikes.

INN STREET PLAYGROUND

25 Inn St. Newburyport MA 01950

What tiny Inn Street Playground lacks in amenities it more than makes up for in location, location, location.

PERKINS PLAYGROUND

10 Beacon Ave. Newburyport MA 01950

Boasting a playground with a generous sandbox, Perkins Park is the go-to recreational area for families in Newburyport's South End.

MOSELEY WOODS

Spofford St. Newburyport MA 01950

Tucked into the woods just off the Merrimac Street traffic circle in Newburyport lies a 16-acre park featuring a playground, shaded picnic area, and hiking trails.

JASON SAWYER MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND
Plum Island Beach, Northern Boulevard
Kids will enjoy multi-age play structures steps from the beach at the northern end of Plum Island.

AYERS PLAYGROUND AT CUSHING PARK
41 Kent Street, Newburyport
Basketball court, swings, play structure located in a quiet North End neighborhood.

WOODMAN PARK
132 Crow Lane, Newburyport
Wooded play area, basketball court and playing field.

DANVERS

ENDICOTT PARK

57 Forest St. Danvers, MA 01923

Endicott Park's 165 acres is home to some of the most unique and varied recreational land on the North Shore. The park’s 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.

JOHN L. GEORGE PARK

6 McDewell Ave. Danvers, MA 01923

The park is a beautiful, peaceful place to walk. It is right on the river! Plenty of parking. Good place to run and take the kids to the playground.

PEABODY

JAMES STREET PARK

Peabody, MA 01960

It's a beautiful park for younger kids. There's also a skateboard park, dog park, and a baseball field there.It is very clean and quiet in the mornings. I Love the book library they have at the park give one and exchange for a knew book for children.

ROSS MEMORIAL PARK

36 Johnson St. Peabody, MA 01960

This is a beautiful park, with 2 playgrounds. One is for kids under 6 one for kids 6 and up. They also have a softball /baseball field that little league often uses it. You will find it has clean port a potties. You will  often see people of all ages walking or biking on the paved trail. 

MACARTHUR PARK

19 MacArthur Cir Peabody MA 01960

Nice little playground with toddler/baby swings.There's a paved walking trail behind it that goes beside the water. A baseball field and batting cages are next to the playground.

BEVERLY

KIMBALL HASKALL PARK

55 Ober Street Beverly, MA 01915

This is a very good small park, including a newly renovated basketball court, a fairly new playground, a pretty big field, and a baseball field.There are a few benches around to sit on and one or two tables. 

LYONS PARK

Lothrop St. Beverly, MA 01915

Great park, at the ocean! There is a great beach, public restrooms and super playground for the kids. It is a nice spot for a walk or to relax on the beach. 

GILLIS PARK

Porter St. Beverly, MA 01915

This neighborhood park overlooks the Danvers and Bass Rivers. The beacharea is tidal and used primarily by the nearby residents; there is no lifeguard on duty, soyou swim at your own risk. Gillis Park is only one block from the downtown area. Amenities include a sandy beach (no lifeguard) play structure and swing set, basketball court, water fountain and picnic tables.

HOLCROFT PARK/GAGE ST PLAYGROUND

Gage St. Beverly, MA 01915

Holcroft Park is located in a high-density area with a mix of multi-family and single-family homes as well as some commercial properties. The playground is divided into two levels with a pre-school age playground on the lower level and a school age playground on the upper level.

OBEAR PARK

145 Livingstone Ave. Beverly, MA 01915

Great family park to bring the kids to.  You have access to water front, swing sets, basketball courts tennis courts and a fun playground.  Bring your kids over to experience of fun time.

PARK ST. PLAYGROUND

Park and Roundy Streets. Beverly MA 01915

This park, located in a neighborhood of multi-family homes, was renovated in the early 2000s. The park experiences heavy usage, especially during the summer months when a softball league uses the field. Amenities include play structure and swing set, basketball court, softball field, bocci court and benches.

MASCONOMA PARK

60 Beach St. Manchester, MA 01944

Located across from 60 Beach Street, Masconomo Park features a community bandstand where the annual summer concert series is held, a Little League baseball field, and a children’s playground. There are several dozen benches located throughout the park and along the harbor. There are no permanent restrooms at Masconomo Park;

ROCKPORT

MILL POND PARK

Rockport, MA 01966

Beautiful playground and amenities, perfect for families. Lovely, quiet park with two ponds and a meadow, plus beautiful stone stairs and a small waterfall, all just across from the beach. Great for picnicking and popular with painters. You will enjoy looking at the beautiful gardens during your visit.

HALIBUT POINT STATE PARK

HAMILTON/WENHAM

PATTON PARK

Asbury St &, MA-1A, South Hamilton, MA 01982

It is a beautiful park with play structures for big and little ones. Other features include a sand table, swings, and a zip line! Such a wonderful Park for every season.  You can do X-C skiing in the winter, enjoy concerts in the summer.   

PINGREE PARK

211 Main St. Wenham, MA 01984

This park has several sections, including ball fields,  tennis courts and playgrounds. It has free parking and a water fountain. It is a great place to have  picnic and bring the kids.

IPSWICH

GREAT NECK PARK/PIRATE SHIP PARK

Little Neck Rd. Ipswich MA 01913

At this picturesque ocean view playground on Ipswich's Little Neck, a modern play structure shaped like a - you guessed it - pirate ship offers lots of climbing opportunities.

BIALEK PARK

17 Linebrook Road
Ipswich, MA 01938

Bialek Park is located at 17 Linebrook Rd. This beautiful park has many reasons to come visit. There are 4 athletic fields within the park, a 90' baseball diamond, 60' skinned softball field, Hopping field a 60' softball/little league field and Bowen field a 60' little league field. Basketball court with pickle ball lines painted on the court.  You may contact the office to reserve usage of the lights so you can light up your game. A multi age playground for the kids. Seasonal porta potties located in front of the field house.

SALEM

SALEM COMMON

N Washington Square, Salem, MA 01970

Salem Common has a nice walking path around the outside edge, a  playground for the kids, and a basketball  court. The outside is also lined with old Maple Trees that are full of color in the fall. You will find it right next door to the Hawthorn Hotel.

COLLINS COVE

Collins and Beacon streets
Salem, MA 01970

You will find a basketbaall court and softball fields at this park.

GLOUCESTER

STAGE FORT PARK

24 Hough Ave. Gloucester, MA 01930

Stage Fort Park is a park at Stage Head in Gloucester, Massachusetts, part of the Essex National Heritage Area. It contains two beaches, a large playground, picnic benches, two baseball fields, a basketball court, a dog park and plenty of room for any weekend activities.

STACY BOULEVARD PARK

Gloucester, MA

Simply an amazing park to walk, run or ride your bike. You have a beautiful water view along the park. The landscaping is absolutely beautiful.This park is definitely a place the community comes to. It is nice to just take a stroll and sit and look out into the harbor.

TOPSFIELD

BRADLEY PALMER STATE PARK

40 Asbury St, Topsfield, MA 01983

This former estate features 721-acres of pine needled paths and sunny rolling meadows for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The spray park is open during the summer season.

PYE BROOK COMMUNITY PARK

Entrance on Haverhill Road, (Route 97) near Hood's Pond, Topsfield, MA 01983

An open area including baseball, football, and soccer fields as well as a disc golf course.  There are also a few marked trails that lead around the athletic areas.