Metro Parent / August 2011 / Best Playgrounds in Southeast Michigan

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Best Playgrounds in Southeast Michigan

Family fun in the sun is a breeze in metro Detroit, the Ann Arbor area and beyond with these cool amped-up outdoor play spots

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Looking for the best places to let your kids roam, rush, romp and run? Search no further! Metro Parent has tracked down the best playgrounds in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. For places where kids and parents can really let loose, check out this guide.

Macomb County

Playground at George George Park

40500 Moravian Road, Clinton Township

Once upon a time, George George Park was a beautiful golf course with mature trees, gentle rolling hills and green contoured fields. But alas: Only those who belonged to the Clinton Township Country Club could enjoy the scenic grounds. Then one day, a man named James George decided to donate the park to the people of the township in honor of his father.

But first, to transform the place into a truly magical park, he ordered one of every piece of playground equipment in production and constructed a playscape more magnificent than any in the land. The structure that stands today is nestled among the sloping knolls in natural colors like deep green and brown. It's long, ambling and chock full of nooks, crannies and features where kids – from toddlers to teenagers – can find a happy ending.

Playscape at Lake St. Clair Metro Park

31300 Metropolitan Parkway, Harrison Township

Ahoy! Don't ye be lettin' any scallywags run over the ship shored up thar – or plunder the village o' bitty homes close by. The scamps already be eyein' the booty and, after all, thar could be a treasure buried under the sand or a bottle o' messages hidden somewheres. Best be keepin' yer eyes peeled from the look-out's nest atop yer ship. Cap'n's orders!

Playscape at Corners Park

19449 25 Mile Road, Macomb Township

When this playground was first installed in 2004, it was state-of-the-art, says parks and recreation manager Sal DiCaro. Today, even he admits it's still pretty cool. "It's got all the bells and whistles," says DiCaro. The plastic tree house-themed playscape has 1,200 square feet of slides, a rock wall, beam bars and rubberized recycled turf. A swing set has also been added to the playground in 2012.

Playscape at Pollard Park

55550 New Haven Road, New Baltimore

Local businessmen and volunteers made this 128 acre-park possible. Kids can romp and run around sizeable playscapes. It boasts slides of every shape and size – big and small, straight and loopy, you name it! Its variety of ladders is impressive, too, including spiral and rope types. The colorful structures also include multiple bridges and a set of monkey bars.

Oakland County

Wooden Playground at Booth Park

North Old Woodward Avenue and Harmon Street, Birmingham

These days, it takes a lot to make something remarkable. But don't worry, playground aficionados: Booth doesn't disappoint. Parks and recreation manager Carrie Laird says it's the city's most popular jungle gym thanks to some pretty unique amenities. And with 20,000 square feet to play with, it's no wonder the community-built playground packs so much punch.

Consider the lookout tower that mimics the city's old fire station, a misting wheel that sprays water on demand, and an artificial turf hill that makes sledding – or sliding – a year-round activity. The tot lot is complete with a full-size play trolley, there's a parental patio with chairs, tables and umbrellas, and a giant gravel labyrinth for kids to get lost in. Even the most seasoned playground veteran can't deny this place has got it all – and more.