by When I decided to write articles and then a book honoring and ranking the best parks and playgrounds in Fairview and Rocky River, I knew it would be a large undertaking, but one with plenty of fun involved. I quickly learned I was correct as Fairview and Rocky River combined to have some of the nicest parks on the West Side. Little did I ever think it would actually get published into a book form, but here we are – Northeast Ohio’s Best Parks and Playgrounds: Vince McKee: 9798896831068: Amazon.com: Books
As a high school sportswriter, I am gone a lot between the months of late August and the very end of May; this makes me value summertime more than I can ever begin to explain. Having a vibrant wife along with two healthy and energetic children makes my summers a lot of fun, filled with wonderful memories.
A few years back my family made the resolution to try and go to as many local playgrounds as possible each summer. In Northeast Ohio, you must make the best of the nice weather because you never know how long you’re going to have it for, and my family does just that!
As we began going to all of these playgrounds, I began to notice some were much better than others and also realized that it was smart to make notes in case we came back. Most of these notes were simple things such as the bathroom situation and if there were any places parents could sit in the shade and still have a clean vision of where their kids were.
Some parks were clean; some, not so much. Some offered indoor plumbing, and others didn’t. I learned to greatly appreciate the nice soft rubber some have for their ground and begin to disdain that nasty mulch wood mix most use. Was the park easy to find, and once we arrived, was there enough to do? These were all things I looked out for.
All these items may seem small, but adding them up and sometimes assigning grades helps you plan your visit.
Some were pleasant surprises, such as Grannis in Fairview, and others may have been a bit of a letdown, such as Skip Park in Stow. Each summer we rank them from best to worst and instantly start planning for the next year. This led to the inspiration of this book, as I wanted to help out as many parents as I could. If you want to spend time outside with your kids, then I want to help you! I hope everyone not only enjoys the book but also finds it helpful.
YOU CAN PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE – Northeast Ohio’s Best Parks and Playgrounds: Vince McKee: 9798896831068: Amazon.com: Books
Here are the parks that stood out the most in Rocky River and Fairview, two of our favorite cities to explore!
Fairview
Grannis Park
Location – ?????? Fairview Park, OH 44126
About the Park
Deep in the heart of Fairview, lies this hidden gem called Grannis Park.
You may need a helicopter, a Sherpa and first and last month’s rent, but if you do, you can enjoy Fairview’s hidden gem called Grannis Park. I say this, because the playground itself is amazing and fun to enjoy, but extremely difficult to find unless you already know exactly how to find it. It is hidden, with no sign, and pretty much zero indication of any park located there at all.
However, if you park at Fairview Park apartments right past the Gas Station / Laundry Mart before you get to the bridge that takes you into Cleveland, you can find Grannis Park. Or take the road next to Webers ice cream and hang the first right to park on the street.
I’m not joking, there is no parking lot, no sign that tells you if you are in Fairview or Florida, but, there sure as heck is a park if you are brave enough to walk through the bushes and trees into the playground.
The playground is loaded with a half a dozen slides, a 5 deep swing set, 3 types of monkey bars and various slides to go along with many other attractions. It is the ever fun spinning globe ride to go with plenty of climb throughs including a rock wall!
Access to the Park
Again, I don’t even know how to put this, or truly tell you where to go. Your best bet is parking at that apartment complex in the far back, and simply walking through the bushes. It is a very nice playground, I really like it, but getting to it is absurd.
Things to do
It truly has it all, from swing sets, saucer swings, slides and rock walls, to spinney rides and jungle gyms, you can stay for a while and not get bored. There is no less then 20 different things for your child to do.
Places for parents to sit
Also, a great feature with plenty of seating for parents, including a large gazebo to shelter yourself from sun if you choose. There are benches in the gazebo but no picnic tables. Thus, you can bring a book to read or just put your feet up for a bit, but it does make eating extremely difficult.
Ground
It has a beautiful grass landscape surrounding the very nice rubber based playground area. You will walk away with clean feet, and also not sore but rather comfy from the soft rubber base.
Bathroom
There is no bathroom to be found. We actually had to cut our trip short because of it. Between the lack of any bathroom or any sign to tell you where the heck you’re actually at, this park makes me scratch my head a few times at the logic. So many parts of it are absolutely fantastic, but it does have a few faults with this being one of them.
Best part of the park
The shade on a hot day and the variety of things to do for the kiddos. Also, the beautiful landscape shows that the city really cares about this park and keeps it clean.
Bain Park
Location 21077 N Park Dr, Fairview, OH 44126
About the Park
Congratulations to the City of Fairview Park on the renovation and re-opening of Bain Park in June of 2023. This renovation made the entire park look brand new and becomes a must for all local families to visit and enjoy. The woodwork is brand new and clean as a whistle, also extremely safe for children to play on and enjoy. It has plenty of areas to climb, glide and swing!
Access to the park
A pretty easy find with numerous ways to get there as it is just two minutes from Lorain Road with plenty of parking once you arrive.
Things to do
It is a solid wood park, one of the few of its kind on the Westside of Northeast, Ohio. It has Giant spider web netting, several bridges and swing sets along with a saucer swing too. It has a net bridge and a rope bridge as well as a rock wall for climbing.
Places to sit
There are plenty of spots for parents to sit in the shade and still have a great view of their children, a fw in the shade and a few in the sun.
Ground
Mulch
Bathroom
Indoor plumbing
Best part of the park
The overall “newness” feeling to it. It has a fresh look and feel!
Bohlken Park
Location
3885 W 210th St, Fairview Park, OH 44126
About the Park
This is a cult family favorite of ours as mommy shops at Target just 200 yards away, we take the chance to walk back and play at the playground. It is about a 3-minute walk from the Westgate Plaza and a cannot miss park if the weather is right.
Access to the park
2 minutes from Lorain Road and 90 seconds from Center Ridge. It is extremely easy to find with a wealth of parking as well.
Things to do
Highlights include a nice playset with castle tops and great slides, both normal and tunnel. My daughters enjoy the double slide as they love to race! It has a large swing set that goes 7 wide. Depending on the time of year you visit, you can catch a baseball game going on one of the 5 nearby fields along with a mammoth soccer field as well.
Places to sit
A large pavilion to sit in if the weather does decide to act up.
Ground
Mulch
Bathroom
It does have indoor plumbing with clean bathrooms which is always a plus as well.
Best part of the park.
This is a cute little playground, and if there are baseball games going on, a perfect get away for the younger sibling and parent who just cannot sit still.
Morton Park
Location
22301 Morton Ave, Fairview Park, OH 44126
About the Park
It is a smaller park as it only tallies 4.9 acres and the height of the attractions are so small, they barely rise above the wire fence separating you from local residents backyards in the area. It has a soccer field along with two basketball courts for the oldest kids who want to visit. Perhaps the highlight that keep bringing people back is the splash park that comes alive when the weather reaches 70 degrees and over.
Access to the park
Once again, it is a small park in a small city but you will have no problems finding it as it is located at the intersection of West 223rd and Morton Ave in Fairview.
Things to do
The Zip Line remains a hit, and it even allows you to go up really high and then let go, so you can make rollercoaster chain noises before you let go and they go flying at about 10-15 MPH if you push really hard.
The slides and playsets are super tiny. Riding down the slides on their stomachs or even backwards can jazz it up a bit. However, as I said, you need to get creative to make this trip worth it. I would recommend a bathing suit for the splash pad they have, and also bring a basketball if your child like to shoot hoops. It does have monkey bars in which my younger daughter Madelyn loves at any park, albeit these ones are very short and close to the ground.
Places to sit
Not many at all with none in the shade. That is one major drawback.
Ground
Mulch on the playground, and cement on the splash pad.
Bathroom
Indoor plumbing
Best part of the park.
A tie between the zip line and splash pad. Honestly, the only two things for kids over the age of 5 to do at this park.
Nelson Russ Park
Location
22323 MacBeth Ave, Fairview Park, OH
About the park
This untraditional park features a beautiful walking path and several exercise machines. My wife and daughters love it, and of course, the favorite part for the little ones is the Zip Line as usual. It provides families with a great pavilion as well if you want to pack a picnic lunch. There is no bathroom however, so make sure to use the potty before you go.
Access to the park
It is not as easy to find as the other parks in Fairview, as it is in the middle of a street surrounded by houses on both side of it, and dropped a bit off the road as well.
Things to do
This is a workout style park, basically themed solely for people who want to exercise. However, it still have the zip line for those kids who just want to have fun and not care about much else. There is a giant set of monkey bars in the middle of the playground which can make for a fun challenge for the kiddos.
Places to sit
A small pavilion in the shade and one small bench directly in the sun.
Ground
Mulch and some gravel
Bathroom
None
Best part of the park.
Easily the zip line and giant monkey bar island.
Rocky River
Rocky River City Hall Park
Located
21018 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116
About the park
It is a small but fun park located in the parking lot area of Rocky River Rec Center, Police Station and also Hamilton Ice Rink. It is used for Rocky River residents’ safety town as well.
Access to the park
You have a few ways to find it, it is right off both Wagar Road for the back entrance, or Hillard Rd for the front entrance. Truly the best way to get there is to google, “Hamilton Ice Rink” and it will take you to where you need to be.
Things to do
Safety Town stays open all year after hours. This is by far my children’s favorite part.
A beautiful little pavilion located right by the playground would make for perfect prom pictures or even a small ceremony.
A Giant Ship
The rising in popularity global spinning thing
Two playsets, both on the smaller side
4 slides, 2 curvy and 2 straight with one double as well.
A musical area with two drum sets.
Rockwall
A 8 deep swing set with a saucer swing as well
Places for parents to sit
A few small benches
Ground
Mulch in the main playground area
Cement on the safety town
Rubber soft padding on the swing set island
Bathroom
A porta potty us available in the hours the rec center and ice rink are closed.
When the ice rink and rec center are open, you may be able to use those if the employees are okay with it at the time.
Best part of the park
The safety town is a favorite in the McKee home! In fact, it was the safety town that initially caught our eyes while driving down Hillard to Wagar, getting ready to cover a Magnificat game last year. They have cars outside and available, or you can bring your children’s scooters if they choose.
Linden Park
Location
21012 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116
About the park.
The park, like a fine wine, gets better with age. Each time we go, it gets bigger and better. The park is huge with plenty to do for every member of the family. With a variety of options to sit in the shade, close to the action, the park gives parents no excuse to stay a bit longer and enjoy!
Access to the Park
The park is located directly across from Target, and Lutheran West High School at 3600 Linden Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116. It is seconds away from Wagar Road, Center Ridge Rd and Westwood Rd. Very accessible and fun.
Things to do
There is plenty to do at the park, a little something for everyone in the family. Highlights include,
Jungle Jym
Rock Walls
Climbing ladder both vertical and lateral
Tennis Courts
Multiple slides, both straight and twisty tunnel ones
Beach Volleyball
Swings sets
Places for parents to sit
There are several park benches, all of which are in the shade. If you want to have lunch there, you can do that too as it has a large pavilion with a picnic table.
Ground
Mulch
Bathroom Situation
Clean, indoor and very accessible
Best part of the park
The playset is large with plenty to do. Also, the bountiful amounts of shade this park offers.
Tri-City Park
Location
Tri-City Park, Westlake, Fairview, Rocky RIver OH 44145
About the Park
They call it Tri-City because Westlake, Fairview and Rocky River all lay claim to it. It has soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts and pickleball. It also had a very nice walking path you can enjoy. It truly is in the dead center of all 3 cities and makes for a recreational outing for various different youth soccer leagues.
Access to the Park
It is smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood, but at that same time, you can access from Westwood Road that travels through all 3 cities.
Things to do
The only playset at the playground is a bit small, but still has plenty packed into a small area. This includes slides, climb through, tunnels and monkey bars. It also had a full swing set. Another great touch is the bench under the tree, only 5 feet from the playset which gives parents a great view while soaking up the shade. This all blends nicely with the soccer fields, basketball courts, pickleball courts and a beautiful walking path. The tennis courts have been taken over by pickleball however.
Places to sit
You will need to bring a lawn chair for everything but the playset. The playground / playset area is the only one with a small bench for sitting.
Ground
Grass, grass and more grass!
Bathroom
I didn’t spot a one, kind of strange for a park that huge.
Best Part of the park
This may sound a bit crazy, but honestly, I love the walking path that surrounds the park and the beautiful neighborhood that also surrounds it.
Elmwood Park
Location
600 Elmwood Rd., Rocky River, OH 44116
About the park
Located in a residential area about 45 seconds from Detroit road in Rocky River, it is a tucked away hidden secret of fun in a comfortable setting, It is easy to keep track of several kids at once as the playground area is tucked in and small. A nice wooded trail gives parents and older children a like a reason for exploration and exercise. All in all, you will not find this park on many “best of” lists, but at the same time, it’s nothing to scoff at either.
Access to the park
The side street creeps up fast if you’re not looking out for it. Keep that google map cranking and drive slow. If you are coming from Rocky River on Detroit, then it is right before I90, if you are driving towards River from Westlake or North Olmsted on Detroit, then it is right past 190. Again, if you drive slow and keep your eyes peeled, you will see the street that leads you to the park.
Things to do
Walking trail
Toddler play set
Big kid play set
Swing set four deep with two buckets
Gaga Ball court
Normal slide
Tunnell Slide
Spin Slide
A tunnel that leads you through the big kid set
Large Monkey bars with triangle rings
Large Pavilion for get togethers
Places to sit
Several tiny benches right near the playground area. It also features a large pavilion with plenty of room for get togethers of various sizes.
Ground
Mulch in the playground and grass everywhere else
Bathroom
Indoor plumbing
Best part of the park.
It has a certain coziness to it that makes you feel safe as if you were in someone’s backyard.
Martin Park
Location
3900 Kings Mill Run, Rocky River, OH 44116
About the park
A large open field, located next to a nicely kept basketball court and beautiful playground. It is perhaps the widest open and also colorful playground you will find in Rocky River, or, on the entire Westside for that matter. A great place to gather with friends, family, co-workers or even church gatherings. I’ll say it again, it is extremely colorful, so even if you don’t have kids, still find a reason to go check it out and soak in the sights,
Access to the Park
It is not far at all from Center Ridge Road and the parking lot is of decent size. I cannot imagine too many parking lot jams with this one. Easy access and located in a safe neighborhood.
Things to do
A large open field for soccer, walking, or pretty much doing whatever you want. Perfect for picnics.
Smoothly topped basketball court with no cracks and great hoops.
Saucer Swings
4 wide swing set
Rock Wall
Leaf Ladder
Monkey Bar island
Swing Ring
Rope Wall
6 total slides
Toddler play set
Places to sit
A pavilion with two small metal picnic tables. There is no grill however so you can forget about having a cookout. There is also a few benches located directly in the playground area, but there is no shade so you will want to pack the sunscreen.
Ground
A very clean mulch base
Bathroom
Indoor plumbing, a bit smelly, but still gets the job done.
Best part of the park,
It is just so colorful I will say it again, well worth the trip for the visual ambiance so.
Rocky River Park
Location
20250 Beach Cliff Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116
About the Park
This park is known for two major things, the Pirate Ship playground, and the lake in which you have about 20 different ways to view and enjoy while there. While this is mainly a playground, the majority of the action happens on the beach or directly in the water for that matter.
Access to the Park
Good luck trying to find an open parking spot, best case scenario you may find an open spot on a side street. If you do, triple check that it is not on the same side of a hydrant or near one of those tiny signs that say, “no parking”. Or, a towed you will be!
Things to do at the Park
Pirate Ship themed playground with a pirates cover lookout perch.
View of the lake
2 giant tunnel slides
6 swing set base
A double slide
Twist ladder to scale
Musical drums
Places to sit
You have the option of a really nice pavilion which provides comfort and gives a clear view of your children at the playground. Or, you can pick one of the dozens of spots on top of the hill that overlooks directly onto the beach in which you can get a great view of the sunset.
Ground
Mulch mix at the playground and sand at the beach of course. Grass everywhere else.
Bathroom
Plenty of clean indoor plumbing.
Best part of the park.
This is an easy choice, the beautiful view of the lake!
Morley Park
Location
Morley Ave, Rocky River, OH 44116
About the park
It is easily one of the most colorful parks in Rocky River. It is tiny, with only one play set and a basketball court, but still provides plenty of chances to have fun while visiting. It is what we in the business of park reviews refer to as a “backyard park”. Meaning, you can see plenty of backyards while you are there and at the same time, feel like you yourself are in a backyard.
Access to the park
This is a rough bit of material here as you have to park on a side street and that street is very tiny, so not a lot of options or actual parking lot. One of the few negatives about this park.
Things to do
2 small slides
2 big slides with a slight twist
Spiny Globe thing
Swings – 4 regular, 1 baby, 1 handicapped
Rockwall
Basketball Court
Step Ladder
A cool blue and green color scheme
Monkey Rings
Places to sit
There is not much a selection here as it does have a nice pavilion with four wooden tables, however if you are planning on a cookout, don’t as there is no grill. Also, don’t make the grass of sitting in the grass by the playground as I did, as I in less then 5 minutes the entire cast of, “It’s a Bugs Life” assembled on my leg for dinner.
Ground
It is a beautiful mulch mix.
Bathroom situation
None to speak of, unless one of those people in the houses allow you to stop over for a brief spell.
Best part of the park
The color scheme was a nice switch from the standard Brown and Green of most parks.
