Kids love playgrounds. They light up when they see the challenge of big climbing structures, spiral slides, and swings. It's good for them too. Kids get exercise and boost creativity when they have free play on a playground. It's a win win! In the foothills of North Carolina, we have many playgrounds to choose from and most are at local parks with plenty more to offer. Here are our favorites in and around Mount Airy:
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1. Dobson Square Park in Dobson
110 South Crutchfield Street, Dobson, NC
336-356-8962
Dobson Square Park, not only has a wonderful playground area for the kids, it is home to Surry County's only splash pad! There are walking trails, picnic shelters, an amphitheater and restrooms on its 2.5 acres. On a recent visit, we spotted a couple of food trucks nearby! It's an easy place to spend an entire day because there is plenty to do.
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2. Riverside Park in Mount Airy
350 Riverside Drive Mount Airy, NC 27030
336-786-8313
Open from Dawn to Dusk
Riverside Park in Mount Airy has a lot going on. The playground is fun for kids to run, jump, and play. This park offers a skatepark for skateboards and scooters. There are picnic shelters, a soccer field, a green space, along with restrooms. It's located along the Ararat River and features a canoe launch along with a greenway. The greenway is a great place to ride bikes or scooters with the kids. When we went recently, the kids played on the playground and then had fun exploring the rest of the park in the green space. I love the little community library box where you can "take a book" or "return a book."
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3. Elkin Municipal Park in Elkin
399 HWY 268 West, Elkin, NC 28621
336-258-8917
The Town of Elkin has a phenomenal recreation department. This park is home to playgrounds, picnic shelters, tennis courts, athletic fields, a pool, walking trails, and a mountain bike trail. The recreation department offers memberships along with youth and adult programs. The playground is big enough to entertain kids of all ages with shaded areas for parents and guardians.
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4. Recreation Acres in King
107 White Road, King NC 27021
336-985-1115
Open 5:00am - 12:00am
Everyone's Playground can be found at Recreation Acres in King. It's an all-inclusive playground featuring a wheelchair swing, sensory items, therapeutic swings, a wheelchair usable merry-go-round, and more. In addition to the new playground, there are walking trails, soccer and baseball fields. Recreation Acres has facilities available for rent, indoor and out. See website for details.
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5. Armfield Civic Center in Pilot Mountain
873 W 52 Bypass, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041
336-368-2012
7:00am - sunset
Outside the Armfield Civic Center in Pilot Mountain is beautiful park for the community. There are baseball and softball fields, an amphitheater, a paved walking trail, and 'A Place to Play', the newly added playground with plenty of climbing with slides and swings. There is a large structure for bigger kids and a smaller structure for toddlers and young preschoolers. It's fenced in and there are picnic shelters close by. Also close by are restrooms.
