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Harry Dotson Park

3.9 (73 reviews)

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Grace C.

Love that this small park is gated so it is easier to watch young kids. The pirate ship, rock climbing boulders, spinner playground is fun. There's a 1/2 basketball court and a short dirt loop that people were walking on. There's also a covered playground for younger ones with a picnic table next to it. The splash pad (turns on at 12pm) is a little smaller than others but still is fun. Too bad the restrooms were locked on the day we went.

Kelley G.

Great park! Has a little work out area, rocks for climbing, bathrooms, water play area, basketball hoop, and a huge pirate ship jungle gym. Huge win, especially when waiting for soak city to open.

Carrera L.

Very small cute Park, was relatively clean. The playground flooring could use some maintenance and the parking lot is tiny... Maybe 6 spots.

My son in the Water splash
Veronica L.

My children love to get wet. I definitely love this water park because I feel my kids are safe here. Small park though but what I like it's that's it's gated so I don't have to worry about them going anywhere else. Plus there's a playground too. The only issue that it does bother me it's the parking. If you visit make sure to check where you're parking since the street says it's park with permit only.

Harry M. Dotson Park
Thi N.

This place is garbage! This is my second time here and it's closed both times. It's only 3pm on a Friday! What waste of time and gas. Fun seekers beware! You won't be able to enjoy the park. You can only view it from outside the gates.

A ship.
Russell Z.

Very well designed park, albeit in a somewhat run down neighborhood. Also some very odd design, but otherwise still a great park experience. First of all when I say park, no, this is not a theme park. It's just a park. Generally for kids to play in. There's a small basketball court, a small arm walk exercise place, a cool playground shaped in the form of a ship at sea, and spongy ground to minimize impact from tripping. All nice feature sets. Here are the negatives: This park clearly sees regular abuse. In the green grass area, there were needles. The spongy ground has areas ripped up by people who vandalize the place. There are spider webs under the ship at sea playground which tells me there aren't regular pest control applications. And oddly, there is a home like literally next to the park that ostensibly has a sign that tells you not to bother the residents. I can only imagine how much accidental foot traffic they get. And lastly, the park is not well maintained, the two times I've been here, there were leaves all around the "shower" area rendering the place useless to use unless you sweep up the area where the water is supposed to drain. But hey, for the area, this is definitely the nicest park in terms of features and overall experience.

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

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6 months ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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8 months ago

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9 months ago

Closed at 9am on a Sunday. It says open from sun rise to sun down, but the doors are locked.

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

Good idea but didn't help there was a homeless scaring my kids. Left the park and headed for another.

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7 years ago

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9 years ago

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

Beautiful play ground, clean, with plenty to explore. Just not too many parking spaces close to the park.

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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11 years ago

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Ask the Community - Harry Dotson Park

Have they fixed the splash pad?

No, i was there yesterday

Is this park open?? I've taken my kid here a couple times and each time it is closed!

Does anyone know how i can make a reservation?

We just made one! You have to go to City Hall and book in person.

Does anyone know how the parking situation is on a Sunday late morning, early afternoon?

It's alright. The street itself is parked full but the parking lot for the park itself seems empty.

Does this park have any swings? Are there infant swings?

No, Just two playgrounds, 1 for 2- 5-year-olds, and another for five-year-olds and up.

View All 11 Questions

Review Highlights - Harry Dotson Park

Unfortunately the splash pad didn't turn on today when we visited but that didn't spoil our trip one bit.

Mentioned in 15 reviews

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Hillcrest Park - Sunset view overlooking Hillcrest Park stairs and city lights

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Harry Dotson Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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