by When I decided to write articles and then a book honoring and ranking the best parks and playgrounds in North Ridgeville and Olmsted Falls, I knew it would be a large undertaking, but one with plenty of fun involved. I quickly learned I was correct as Ridgeville and Falls 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 North Ridgeville and Olmsted Falls, two of our favorite cities to explore!
North Ridgeville
Sandy Ridge Playground
Location
6195 Otten Rd, North Ridgeville, OH 44039
About this park
A hidden treat masked by it’s location in the Metroparks
Access to the park
It may be tough to find, but just keep looking.
Things to do
It is literally one playset, that is it. The playset has a castle top and two slides.
If you want to go fishing, there is a pond that sits within 100 yards of the playground.
Great for a scenic watch or even bird watching.
Places to sit
None
Ground
Mulch
Bathroom
Yes and it is handicap accessible as well
Best part of the park
While there isn’t a ton to do, it is very scenic and peaceful
South Central Park
Location
7565 Avon Belden Rd, North Ridgeville, OH 44039
About the Park
This is a must for any family out there as there is something to do for every member of gang. This 30-acre woodland park is open to the public from dawn to dusk. Amenities include pavilions with large event grills, splash pad, playground, tennis & pickleball courts, 2 basketball courts, horseshoe pits, restrooms, 9 hole disc golf course, 1.2 mile asphalt trail and a fishing lake.
Access to the Park
I took Center Ridge to Root Rd to Bainbridge, but you can go the other way as well that takes you to 7565 Avon Belden Rd, North Ridgeville, OH 44039. Either way, it is a quick get from the Cuyahoga / Lorain County border and not that far from 480. Well worth the trip no matter where you are coming from.
Things to do
Oh my, where do I begin? So much to do here, I will do my best to list all of it.
A Full Fitness Zone with 7 fully functional machines
A beautiful pond to sit and watch, skip rocks or try to catch some fish
A quadruple swing set
Full walkthrough bridges
Gigantic play area
Walking Path
Splash pad with plenty of spots to layout and relax for parents
Slides and tunnel slides
Basketball Courts
Tire Swings
Rings
Glider
Rock Wall
Ladder
Places for parents to sit
A half a dozen benches that give you full view of your children and the entire park. You won’t miss anything if you decide to sit for two minutes and take a load off.
Ground
Well, this part is hard to judge simply because it is smack dab in the middle of the woods and there is goose poop everywhere once you leave the main playground area, and venture over to the fitness center. There is no way to avoid this, but everything else is very clean.
Bathroom
Clean as a whistle, and plenty of room with indoor working plumbing. Excellent and complete with changing tables if you have younger ones in your group.
Best part of the park
ALL OF IT! Honestly, I cannot decide because there is just so much to do and see. Quite frankly, not a lot of people talk about this park as it is hidden in Lorain County, but once you discover it, you won’t regret your trip there!
Olmsted Falls
Village Green
Location
Columbia Rd & Water St, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138
About the Park
This cute little park may be known as the “Basketball Court Park”, but the playground is the true highlight of this one.
Access to the park
It is at the perfect location as it is literally 5-10 minutes from North Olmsted, Olmsted Township, Berea, Fairview and Middleburgh Hts. There is plenty of room to park on both sides of the park, and it is easy to find from both ways, north and south.
Things to do at the park
A splash pad for those really hot days. It does have two swing sets, one for big kids and one for toddlers. It is also small enough that you can sit and watch your kids the entire time without having to constantly move to keep up with them. It has a rock wall, a straight slide and also curvy one, a large hoop bridge, ladders and a few other attractions to test out.
Places for parents to sit
It offers plenty of seating in the shade for parents and grandparents. Also, with several options to sit, you will have no problem keeping your eyes on your child at all times.
Ground
They use the soft rubber flooring instead of the shredded wooden mulch and it really makes a large difference. Your child won’t come home covered in filth, and they can still have fun.
Bathroom Situation
It has indoor plumbing and also a cute outhouse looking building as well. It also boosts a water fountain if you need to refill your water bottle.
Best part of the park
An easy location to get to with a cozy feeling to it once you arrive.
Brentwood Park
Location
8544 Usher Rd, Olmsted Township, OH 44138
About the Park
It is a cute little park that offered a few things we hadn’t see yet, but very much enjoyed. These included a nice walking path and a Gaga Ball court. What it lacked in size, it more than made up for in other areas.
Access to the park
It was hidden in a little nook of Olmsted Township, but not hard to find if you use your phone. Look for the Vitamix and it is right across the street.
Things to do while at the park.
Well…… here’s the thing, if your child is under 6 or even 7 years old, they may love this park. Anything over 7 years old and it might be a bit of a challenge. There isn’t a ton to do on the playground sets, and the one slide is very short. The park kind of reminded of the playground you would see behind an elementary school. I did enjoy learning more about Gaga Ball and everything looked kept up nicely and very safe.
Places for parents to sit
There are really just two options that I noticed, with one directly in the sun, but close enough for you to see your child’s every move because the park is so small. The other is if you choose to sit under the pavilion which offers a picnic table and shade from the sun.
Bathroom Situation
While it had a porta potty which is better than nothing, it was gross.
Favorite part of the park
It was really cute and if you have youngsters, it could make for a fun place to have a picnic!
East River Park
Location
7878 Lewis Rd, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138
About the Park
Remodeled in 2023 to and re-opened in 2024, this is a unique playground because it is near the river so it provides incredible visuals. There is also mother nature everywhere with a few small paths you can walk through. Falls Ice Cream is also only a few minutes away by walk so you can knock both out in one night.
Up until 2023, the playground wasn’t see as much of an attraction and one of the sole reasons to visit was the large open field of grass to have a picnic, or the pavilion to have a cookout with the grill. After the upgrades, it has become more of a fun for the whole family type park.
Access to the Park
It can sneak up on you if you’re not paying attention, so you will want that google map on and prepare yourself if you are coming from Bagley Road, you may just get stopped by a train so don’t be shocked if it happens. It is in an extremely wooded area with a nice walking path, so make sure to bag plenty of bug spray as well.
Things to do
A Pavilion with picnic tables and a light yourself grill.
2 benches located in the playground area to sit and enjoy, and 3 picnic tables under the trees near both the pavilion and the playground area.
Playground featuring the following items as well
Straight slide
Curvy slide
Double slide
Rockwall made of leaf cutouts
Sign Language and Connect Four boards
8 total swings with 4 regular and 4 for toddlers with a locked in setting
The every popular “globe spinning thing”
No Monkey bards, but a cool triangle step through 3 prong setting,
Places to sit for parents
As mentioned, there is no shortage of benches in the playground area, picnic tables outside of the playground area and the pavilion as well. It also features a giant area of grass that is wide open and a perfect spot to set up a picnic blanket and basket.
Ground
Grass outside of the playground
The much-appreciated soft rubber padding on the playground set
Wooded dirt if you go on the walking path. Not exactly as gross as “Zoo dirt” but you will want to wash you shoes when you get home regardless.
Bathroom
Go before you get there, they have one, but it is about as nasty as you would think a giant hole in the ground with a bug and urine soaked toilet seat could be. Again, there is no flushing or running water available, is a giant hole marked men, and one next to it marked woman. Go before you get there.
Best part of the Park.
It really depends on what kind of person you are, and what you’re looking for. If you have young children, the playground set is very basic and safe. I’d say perfect for ages 3 through 6. If you have a 7 and 10 years old like I do, the playground set is just ok, and you may want to take a fun nature walk wit them instead, or bring your bikes and take on the nature trail. Also, my wife loves looking at the water and just nature in general.
