Sassafras All Children’s Playground is known as the accessible park for kids of all abilities in Raleigh, but did you know it’s not the only one? Marsh Creek Park definitely isn’t as big, but it’s another accessible park if you need an alternative where you won’t lose your child 5 seconds after arriving!
Community Center
Marsh Creek Park is a pretty big space. There’s a community center onsite that has many classrooms, a gym, and a workout center. They also seem to do a lot of after-school programs there. Every time we’ve visited in the afternoon there have been staff members there playing with the children.
The community center is adjacent to the park so there is a bathroom available when you visit, as long as the building is open. There’s also a picnic shelter built into the side of the community center, although it’s not directly next to the playground. It can hold a lot people though, if you’re looking for a big outdoor space.
Skate Park and Roller Hockey Rink
I haven’t actually seen it, but this park is also home to Raleigh’s only skate park and they have a roller hockey rink! I had no idea we even had one of those! There is another skate park in the area up at The Factory in Wake Forest, but this is the only one in Raleigh city limits.
As for the playground, it’s split into two sections and is completely fenced in. The surface is rubber, just like my other favorite park – Abbott’s Creek. Although this park might make my new top favorite because it’s bigger, accessible, and a bit closer to our house!
The Tot Lot
The Tot Lot was perfect for my one year old. He could easily get up the ramp and play on the structure. There wasn’t much to do once you got up there though, so my 4 year old wasn’t as interested in that side of the park.
Elementary playground
The bigger playground had a lot more to offer and kept my 4 year old’s attention for quite a while. She enjoyed the monkey bars, but her favorite part was the spinning features. She was pretty much on them the whole time! It reminded me of the Greystone spinner that I feel like all the kids fight over the whole time we’re there!
My one year old had no problems getting up the ramp and running through the playground. He also enjoyed going up and down the slide a million times. Towards the end of our time at the park, he also found the giant Güiro and spent lots of time making “music”! I think he just liked that he could move the piece and make the sound all by himself!
So if you’re looking for an accessible park but Sassafras is just too much for you, try Marsh Creek! Or if you’re looking for a completely fenced-in park like Eastgate Park or Abbott’s Creek, but want a rubber surface playground that’s a little bit bigger, Marsh Creek is the park for you!