When I looked at the list of required preschool items for my daughter’s school in Berlin, Germany, I was surprised to see rain boots, rubber overalls, and a raincoat on it. The Germans have a saying, “Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung.” (There’s no bad weather, only bad clothes.) Let me tell you from experience, they take this and the requirement for daily time outside in the fresh air VERY seriously, & it changed my life. Getting outside changes our moods and helps regulate our nervous systems. We <3 Evansville for so many reasons, but especially because of this areas great FREE outdoor areas to explore that are kid friendly! Here are our 5 favorites.
Mickey’s Kingdom Playground
If you haven’t explored this awesome accessible and fenced in playground on the Evansville riverfront, then what are you waiting for?? With an attached bathroom and lots of parking, this playground is so much fun. There is even an area for littler kids while your bigger kids run to the other side. If you are prone to anxiety when you can’t keep eyeballs on your kid, this might not be your cup of tea. The whole structure is parent accessible, so you can definitely chase your wild things all over too. Extra special bonus points: a giant T-rex statue, structures form recycled milk jugs, & the world’s largest solar powered CommuniTree too!
Smothers Park
With an into-the-woods theme and so many play structures to explore, this park right on the Owensboro riverfront is so much fun! In the summer there is a wet section that your kids will LOVE to get into, so don’t forget to bring some towels and maybe a change of clothes too. My kids LOVED to pretend they were hunting at this park, and crawling through the fishes mouth was always part of the agenda too. This park is not fenced in, so if you have a toddler that likes to run, you may want to bring a leash. (Zero judgement, a parent’s gotta do what a parent’s gotta do!) Smothers park is a perennial favorite of ours, and not just because the drive back to our house is about the perfect amount of time for a big kid quick nap.
Friedman Park
If your kids thrive in more wide open spaces, Friedman Park in Newburgh is the spot to check out! There is a trail through the grassland that that is beautiful and a fully paved path all the way around the park great for balance bikes & strollers alike. The playground isn’t fenced in and there are not too many places to hide from the sun, but this is a great spot for a spring picnic or water fowl watching on the nearby pond. Google will get you there fine, and yes, you do drive through a neighborhood to find it.
Burdette Park
There is so much to love about Burdette Park on the west side of Evansville. There are several play areas that aren’t so huge that you’ll spend your time searching for your kid while they’re on the structures. Short trails beckon if you are looking for just a little forest bathing to soothe your wanderlust another day. In the summer, the swimming area is super fun too. Did I mention the paved trail that goes from Burdette Park to USI? Its also relatively quiet, especially in the spring. Burdette has always been one of my favorite places to wear out the kids, and I’ve heard the chalets are pretty great to rent for overnights too.
Garvin Park
In the heart of Evansville, Garvin Park is one of my favorite places to wile away an afternoon outside with the kids. This park has multiple playgrounds with abundant shade. Parking has never been an issue for me, and there are always all kinds of events happening in this park during the warmer months. Garvin is right next to Bosse Field where the Evansville Otters play as well as next to Deaconess Aquatic Center. If you haven’t been to this park other than to drive around it at night around Christmas, then you really should come check it out during the day too!
These are our top 5 favorite FREE places to get outside with the kids in Evansville. Whether you are pushing your baby in a stroller or wrangling toddlers on leashes, getting outside, even when the April showers roll in, will help improve your mood. Don’t worry, you and your kids are washable! Grab some snacks and spend some time outside together this spring. It might just make you smile and wear your kids out too.