Took the pups here to go paddle boarding…read more Arrived around 8am so still fairly early, it was a little confusing where to park for the beach. The beach parking is the same as the boat launch parking (large lot) there is then a path that will take you down to the beach about .25 mile walk. Not horrible but good to note! We asked the park staff and were informed if the pups are swimming they can be off leash on the sand to go in and out of the water but otherwise their leashes need to be on (which was no problem) Bathrooms located near the water and up by the parking nice and clean. Really only downfall was the labeling of parking for the beach and then access to get there, we only figured it out after driving in circles and finding a park staff member. However now we know! Also there is not an easy way to get into the water (walk in style) with a paddle board, since they only have docks to drop down from so a little challenging with the pups, but otherwise it might be easier if you are going with a kayak. They do also have kayak rentals located in the boat launch area. Will definitely return

It's really nice for 4th of July fireworks. You can bring a small grill or they have a few…read morepermanent ones if you get there early enough. There are also a number of picnic tables but they also are claimed quickly. The beach is small but never crowded and is a nice sandy beach. The swimming area is adequate, but very rocky. Therefore, I recommend bringing shoes if you are going to walk in the water. There used to be a lifeguard, but as of 2019, there wasn't one for the fireworks. They also have a playground area that is decent but I noticed there was a step that was cracked and I'm not sure how well it's managed. The bathrooms have been under some level of repair for the last 5 years, often a toilet, sink, shower, or urinal. Nothing major, but noticeably annoying. However, they are usually stocked though I've rarely seen staff here to restock. That said, there are showers to rinse and they have a second area in each stall to change or hold dry clothes.

Our family loves to camp a few times a year, and most recently we tried Ottawa for the first time…read more Overall I think it was a lovely campground! It's Situated conveniently between Milwaukee and Madison, serving as more than just a campsite, but a great spot to hike, fish, and swim. It's a really big park (literally 100 sites!) so there is plenty of peaceful outdoor space to enjoy. We were lucky enough to snag an electric site, which comes in handy for our RV. Beyond the RV we had two tents, and everything fit comfortably. This site in particular was tucked back close to the lake, but I can see how the outskirt sites closer to the highway might be not as well enjoyed. This campground is fairly wooded with plenty of shade which we appreciated. All of the grounds are well-kept, including the paved pathways throughout. We loved the various playgrounds for our kiddos too. The lake itself has a fishing pier, solid sand area for swimming/hanging in the warmer months, a boat launch, adjacent restrooms that are clean, and lots of walking paths surrounded. All in all, it was a goodie and we had an enjoyable time.

Stopped to camp here on our way to the Oshkosh airshow. Campsite was nice. Nice grill for cooking…read moreoutdoors and plenty of room at the campsite. Restrooms/Showers dated and not the cleanest but useable. The campsites back up to a busy road with lots of traffic noise late ino the night. Sounds like motorcycle races go on after dark. We had to use our air conditioner to drown out traffic noice. Will probably find another campground next time in this area

It needs some upgrading. I loved how there's multiple areas to play but the park is quite old…read more Great place for a walk or run.

Now I fully realize there's probably going to be people who will say this is a decent park, near…read moresome neighborhoods on the verge of gentrification. And then there's going to be those others who say I'm B$t sh&t crazy for biking through here (they'd probably say it in nicer terms but I'm pretty sure that's the vibe I'm detecting.) But I really don't care --I still love this park and part of town so I'm putting it out there -- a full 5 stars, even if it needs a little work around the edges. Washington Park is a big, beautiful park west of Downtown and east of Wauwatosa. It's former name "West Side Park" speaks to the old city borders (although really when you consider where Tosa starts, this is still sort of the west side...hmm..) Anyhow...it was designed by Frederic Olmsted (whose third name I'm drawing a blank on, but you know the guy-- he designed Central Park, Lake Park, etc.) The area and the park just always feel a little bit "historical" -- many of the streets near it are a little quieter than other parts of the city and I think that adds to it. Once upon a time before the 1950s or 60s, it also housed the zoo. It then lost some of its acreage to highway 41 and the zoo moved to Bluemound Road. It's still a vast space compared to other public parks: there's a band shell, a lagoon, an Urban Ecology Center. Along the northside of the park where the roads of Lisbon, Sherman, and Lloyd meet, there's a huge statue of a man on a horse (George Washington? I think?), as well as the relatively new Washington Park Library. Neighborhoods and places in cities that are considered "bad," "not good," or whatever present a real quagmire. People may be leery to come here because it isn't in Downtown, Tosa, the eastside, etc. and want to wait til it is deemed "safe" and "good" to go. But how will a place like this park ever have a chance to become those things if no one is willing to make a leap of faith and visit it? When it's the very attention, goodwill, and interest of people who care about parks that might turn everything around. So I'm saying 5 stars. Sometimes, a place, person or thing grows and becomes what is said about it - good or bad When I ride past, there's always alot of kids playing in the playground near the library here. I can only imagine what it does to someone's psyche, even years later to think you played and grew up in the "bad" or "scary" part of town. Blahhhh!! Anyhow... This park is in the middle of a city, and sure, you should be somewhat careful -- there's always the possibility that bad things can happen in public places with lots of people. But what gets missed by not seeing the other side of that equation is all the great things that can happen, too. That by venturing somewhere new and unfamiliar to you, there's possibilities. It's what makes cities and urban areas feel so alive. Too preachy? Too long? Eh, sorry, but I've had this review on my mind for awhile and I still really like this place.

Cute local park, on the Fox River. Clean, open, playground, shelter & bathrooms. It's small &…read moreeverything basic for an afternoon in the park or short walk. I was looking for trails to walk & the trail just went around the park. It's a nice neighborhood park. Note, after 11/15 bathrooms are closed & garbage cans are all gone; winterized.

Established in 1868, at the start of the magical Waukesha springs era, Bethesda Park sits right…read morealong side the Fox River. The river bank is low and the river easily accessible via canoe or kayak. It is a favorite of the fisherman amongst us. On the northeast end of the park, you'll find a single tennis court, and though a net is up, only rarely will you see it in use. Up hill from the river, road side, there is a picnic shelter and playground, which on the other hand is frequently in use by little ones, Mom and/or Dad close at hand. Dog lovers can rejoice, your dogs are welcome here, though must be leashed. Owners are in fact frequently seen walking the grounds with their fury friends or having a game of catch. Nature enthusiast will find the trees truly grand and mystical. If you come at the right time, you might even be able to catch a glimpse of the resident white squirrel playing in the branches. Best to come and experience for yourself. Lots to see and explore. Take your time and open yourself up to a very unique experience. Don't forget to look beyond the surface, exercise your imagination and all your senses. A lot of history here. Enjoy.

Take a ride down and check out all the cool things that are on the street. Besides the UWM…read morebuildings and their Great Lakes Research Ship that they park along the river... there is a park that highlights all the various fish species that are in the lake in the river along with the additional information on the old Jones Island fishing village. You will also see huge P@H trucks on display. Also, the Komatsu offices look like a ship when you look through the windows. The whole area is pretty cool.

Beautiful small plaza with bubbling water and play features, along with a small slide, and a very…read moretall slide made out of an old shipping container. This is a great addition to the budding Harbor District, next to UWM's Freshwater Sciences building. A few bike lock stations and a bubbler and a bottle fill station make it a nice pit stop on a ride. Iron gates with art, open up to a seasonal kayak launch. Perhaps a straight shot kayak launch with less obstacles and right angles is needed here. I was in the area picking up a DIY fall river cleanup kit from Milwaukee Riverkeeper, who would probably appreciate a helping hand with occasional debris, if you spot it. It takes all of us, sometimes. There's nice signage of individual and corporate sponsors, who helped make this plaza a reality, and help keep making Milwaukee a great place on a Great Lake.

One of our favorite parks in Wauwatosa. A lot to explore. Whole park is beautiful designed with art…read morepieces. Nice bike pump track, good walking and sitting area. Events in the summer is definitely a plus.

I would have killed for a park like this when I was a kid! The play equipment is awesome with lots…read moreof fun things to do and everything is so brightly colored. Even on a gloomy and a little rainy morning like the one we visited on, this park is vibrant and fun. There are lots of grassy areas to run and play, artistic benches and fountains, the bathrooms are nice and clean, the parks workers blow out all the leaves and take good care of the grounds and did I mention the multiple really cool playground areas and toys? Plus they have Mama Rosa which is the cherry on top! This park made me wish I was a kid again, or that I had young kids again so I could come here and play. If you're in the area, definitely give this spot a stop!

tl;dr A gorgeous 8.8 acre park filled with history, giant shade trees, the gentle pleasant sound of…read morewater as it moves along in the Bark River, a crazy unique wooden playground themed after a fort, multiple war memorials, huge shade trees, and a bathroom with drinking fountain. The playground is titled 'Fort Cushing' and is an all wood structure, with primarily a mulch surface and a few minor spots with a rubber surface. Within the playground there are separated areas for the little kids side and the big kids side. The little kids side is fairly small, and consists of two slides, a sandpit, and a few swings. Safety note, the baby swings are crazy high off of the ground since the mulch has been worn down so much, so make sure your kiddo is secured as it would be a huge drop. The big kids side has a variety of slides, bridges, monkey bars, giant tires to climb through as well as a tire swing, and more. Note: The drop off of the covered twist slide also has a huge drop at the end from the worn down mulch. It's definitely a unique playground but if you have little kids you can't trust yet on their own you'll definitely have to be flexible and fast to get through it all. There is a huge open area filled with mature shade trees, a tall monument dedicated to the three Cushing Brothers, as well as an obelisk, and a few other memorials. The park is also situated along the Glacial Drumlin Trail. Oh, and dogs are allowed here! Plus, they have bags available for cleanup. If you're in the area, this park is definitely worth the stop!

Went here because it was listed as one of the best playgrounds in the MKE metro, and it is indeed…read morethat. All wood, and lots of twists and turns, but fenced in so you can't lose the kids too easily.good amount of parking, but nice bike/walking access through the Lake Country and Ice Age trails. Clean bathrooms. Nice view of the Bark River. Definitely worth a trip out here, plus Delafield is a cute town.

This cute little park has a unique character. It's got a comfortable shady covered picnic table…read morearea, and I'm finding more and more places like this to pick up food to go and eat al fresco (away from anyone else). There's a windy little hiking trail but to get a half hour walk in you have to take it a couple of times and do a lap around the park. There's a nice playground which is of no use to me and although there's no dedicated parking lot, there's parking on the street right in front. Neighborhood seems friendly and everyone seems to be good about picking up after their dogs.

tl;dr This park is surrounded on three sides by tall trees and is home to a great playground,…read moreswings, a picnic shelter, and a half mile trail back to a creek. It may be small, but it has just about everything we need to keep us coming back. My 18 month old daughter loves this park, and so do the older kids I've seen there. The little kids side (2-5) features a "rock wall" with built in large steps, a periscope, and a slide. The big kids side has multiple slides, a huge climbing rock, gravity based spinners, balance beams, and more. All of which is on a rubber playing surface. It's just the right amount of play to keep kids occupied for an hour or so. This isn't an all day park, and it doesn't need to be. There are six benches in this park, besides the two picnic tables within the shelter, so parents, you are all set to sit back and relax! My one complaint with the park is that there is no drinking fountain or bathroom.