BLOG: Venture out to these favorite parks for young families

The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department offers many environments for families with young children to spend time together while learning, growing and practicing healthy lifestyles.

With more than 80 parks and recreation facilities from Tequesta to Boca Raton and west to Lake Okeechobee, parents and young children can partake in a wide range of activities. Plus, our parks and facilities are inspected to provide safe experiences. Here’s a list of our favorites:

JOHN PRINCE PARK

This park, at 2700 Sixth Ave S. in Lake Worth Beach, will not disappoint the little ones. Children can enjoy five playgrounds, including a boundless playground that provides children with and without disabilities a colorful, sensory-rich accessible experience.

A splash park under three shade sails beckons children to run through a series of spray arches and stand under a giant splashing tail. Parents can work out at the Fitness Zone exercise area while their children play. Adults can use 17 pieces of outdoor resistance equipment that use your body weight for strength training.

OKEEHEELEE PARK

A visit here, at 7715 Forest Hill Blvd. west of West Palm Beach, is a great opportunity for activity and education. The 1,700 acres feature three playgrounds for running, sliding and swinging. After the playground, parents can take their children to the nature center, which features hands-on exhibits, animal encounters and a nature-related gift shop.

Entry to the nature center and trails is free, while program and bicycle/kayak concession fees are nominal. Time your visit to experience an equestrian event at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on the south side of Forest Hill Boulevard.

WESTGATE PARK AND RECREATION CENTER

This park, at 3691 Oswego Ave. in West Palm Beach, features a playground, splash park and fitness station — ideal for both parents and kids. On a hot day, children can cool off by splashing through the brightly colored water playground. While adults work out on a 10-piece exercise station, they can keep their eyes on their children enjoying the playground.

This park, at 4150 Vermont Ave. in Lake Worth Beach, in central Palm Beach County offers a playground with accessible equipment for all abilities, as well as a Little Free Library, green space, basketball court and butterfly garden. Adults can do an array of workouts at an exercise station next to the playground while watching their children.

BURT AARONSON SOUTH COUNTY REGIONAL PARK

Whether you’re spending the day at Coconut Cove Waterpark, playing on one of the two playgrounds or heading to Daggerwing Nature Center to learn about reptiles and insects, there’s something for every member of the family here at 11200 Park Access Road west of Boca Raton.

The waterpark is perfect for those hot summer days, running on a playground, sliding down waterslides or floating along a lazy river. At Daggerwing, children can play and learn through interactive exhibits, or venture outside to a boardwalk and tower where families can watch and learn about wildlife. While the waterpark has an admission fee, Daggerwing is free, except for program fees.

GLADES PIONEER PARK

This park, at 866 State Road 715 in Belle Glade in western Palm Beach County, features a seasonally operated pool, a baseball field, basketball courts, tennis courts, a 1.25-mile paved multipurpose path, playgrounds for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, a splash park and picnic areas.

Visit our locator tool to find more park locations near you.

Bibi Baksh is public relations specialist for Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department.