Just a lovely space for family fun - youth and adults... nature, ponds, playgrounds, picnic…read moreshelters, putt-putt, pool, community center, history, and more... great resource!

Before deciding to go here, I'd like you to think about one word: RULES…read more This splash park has a LOT of them, and I do mean a LOT. You can't exit, even if you forgot something at your car. You can't bring in water bottles with water in them. No jewelry or even an Apple Watch on the slides. I forgot my phone in the car, and was only allowed to get it when the manager escorted me. The workers were nice enough about enforcement, but it all got a little tiring after awhile. This is a municipal park, not DisneyWorld. Chill. As for the park itself, it's fine. A big (not particularly deep) pool, surrounded by 3 slides (one for tykes, another for under 7, and the grandaddy of them all, which is towering). There was plenty of space for sitting and umbrellas. The bathrooms are clean, the pool and slides are well maintained and there are lifeguards everywhere. The water is ice cold, and there are vending machines. Outside food is allowed (maybe this is just due to covid, there was a grille but it was closed), but don't get cute trying to sneak in liquor because they do search your bags thoroughly. I get the sense the city really cares about this facility and treats it accordingly. But check beforehand. Weekends are for city residents ONLY. Nobody from outside MoCo is allowed in, and they will check your ID to confirm. For some reason, I was only charged $6 (the city rate) instead of $11 (I like in Silver Spring) so that admittedly influenced my rating. I might have been a but harsher (because rules) had I paid full cost. My kids (ages 9 and 12) got a bit bored after awhile, but for the price, this isn't a bad way to blow an afternoon.

Just moved to the area and discovered this park. Brand new playground installed. Right near trail…read moreand a lot of easy parking.

This park is a ton of fun. Built within the past 5 years, this park has everything. It has swings,…read moremega slides, a spider web climber, and baby zones. It even has disability friendly options and party zones. I love taking my kids here to just run free. The only downfall I see is when some neighborhood teenagers come around and play aggressive tag games and curse. It is a place for smaller children and they are welcome, but bring inappropriate and unsafe behaviors.

This might be the best playground I've ever been to. Multiple layers to the playground with a…read morevariety of equipment that is age appropriate and safe. Tons of spaces to explore and play. I love the secured locked gate. I can't not wait to go back when the weather is nicer. We had the best time despite the foggy conditions!

Elwood Smith Park is a great little local park with lots of amenities for locals. There is a…read moreplayground for children, a community center for activities, a softball/baseball field, and plenty of picnic tables. It is also nearby to the local high school, so there's plenty of space for pregame activities. What really sets this park apart is the amount of shade received by the old growth trees. You can enjoy a summertime lunch in the shade without having to worry about the heat. It also has a close proximity to several other parks, making it a great waypoint for your bicycle or running trips, and also as a quick shortcut from the high school to the main neighborhoods. Stop on by and play around-this is a great local park.

Lots of parking. Playground looks pretty new. Community Center is well maintained, large square…read moreroom with mirrors, great for parties.

I love this park and all the arts and crafts opportunities (and social dances!) they offer here! My…read morekids took pottery lessons here for years and had a lot of fun...the classes are in the very unique and interesting yurts close to the Arcade building (where the main offices are). I'd also highly recommend the super fun swing dances in the Spanish Ballroom ....the live music is great and the dances are usually well attended, meaning lots of dance partners! I've gone to the contra, swing, and waltz dances (there are free lessons before each), these have all been worthwhile and entertaining. Less well known but equally highly recommended are the folk dance lessons...these are usually given in the space behind the ballroom or in the bumper car pavilion...I really enjoyed these dances and they are quite different from the swing and contra dances. You feel as if you are dancing as a group, even more so than with the contra dances.... I feel it's a great way to bring everyone together, almost like singing in a choir but with dancing... My kids and I have also gone to puppet shows at the park and ridden on the antique carousel (which has limited hours or is often under repair)...there is a little cafe located in a building where I think they also used to have Irish step dance lessons. I believe the cafe is run by the great local bakery, Pralines (which has great sandwiches). The Washington Conservatory is also located at the park and offers music lessons. There is a lot packed into this little park, and the surrounding area also has a lot to offer (it is near one of the small parking lots that has access to C&O canal)

interesting place hidden and nestled in what felt like a secret pathway and maybe even a secret…read moregarden in the forest when I went here with my ex-husband Leo Mejia in 2013! Ill never forget how charming it was but how it hauntingly left something to be desired

Fun park with so many good restaurants all around it! It has an ice skating risk during the winter…read morewhich is good for the family.

I live less than 15 minutes from Color Burst park and I always wonder to myself why I don't utilize…read moreit more. In the summer, it becomes a large open green space with a splash pad, offering things like free outdoor yoga classes or festivals on the green. In the winter, it becomes a large outdoor ice rink. It's surrounded by a variety of new restaurants and apartments and there is lots of parking, including a (usually) free parking garage.

Along the Potomac River northwest of Georgetown is a close-knit community called The Palisades…read more This is its recreation center. There's a small parking lot in the front and trails that lead to an actual recreation center, fields and a playground that doubles as a splash park in the summer. My four-year-old daughter loved the playground. It's modeled after an Indigenous American village along the Potomac River with slides, etc. For being in a wealthy neighborhood, it's a little run down, but still a lot of fun. If you like quirky art, take the small dirt path to the right when facing the parking lot. Walk a few yards to a small opening in the forest to find the "Glass Forest" with art hanging on the trees. It's a little creepy, but also quirky!

Hmmm...I suppose I was assuming this playground would be more than it was given the area…read more The good: *a couple slides, things to climb on *dedicated parking lot *fitness equipment *skate park (definitely check this out) The issues: *the equipment is old and run down: pieces of the padded floor are all over the place and kids throw them *back to those kids and why we won't be back....where are the parents, nannies, guardians, SOME adult?! There were lots around but no one was telling their kid to not throw pieces of the ground at people. My son was excited about the slide....until he was trampled while going down it by 4 kids (at least 8 years old so they should know better anyways) running up the slide. This hasn't ever been an issue before since caretakers are usually at least sort of watching their kids but nope not here. Overall the equipment was boring and the playground way beyond capacity, particularly during these times. Not a fan, won't be back.

This place is really cute. It's around $8 to play mini golf if you're not a Columbia association…read moremember, otherwise it's a dollar less. The course itself is really pretty and fairly clean. There's sand traps and "rivers". The water is dirty but that's expected. Sells ice cream and food. We also had an all day pass to the batting cages as well. Bats are provided along with helmets. It's done with a wrist pass, so there's no coins to get the cages started. So the GPS address actually takes you to an apartment residential area. The actual place is behind the plaza with Safeway and McDonald's. So try inputting those addresses instead! McDonalds: 5485 Harpers Farm Rd, Columbia, MD 21044 Go into the plaza and keep going straight back. You should see flags.

This is a fun place to spend a day in Columbia. The prices were very reasonable and there is a lot…read moreto do. The mini golf is a bit run down but my kids loved it for a casual day out. They have fun snacks and food to order. There is a pavilion area if you would like to host a party.