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5 Great Parks & Playgrounds in Woodbury, Oakdale, C.Grove & Stillwater

By Emily Bowman, Publisher Macaroni Kid-SE Metro May 29, 2019


We are lucky in Woodbury, Oakdale, Cottage Grove and Stillwater to have so many great playgrounds and parks to explore. From swings to slides, to climbing walls and water features, parks and playgrounds keep my kids active, are a great place to meet old friends (and make new! friends), and they're FREE!

I often get asked what our favorite playgrounds are, so I thought I'd share here with you my family's picks for our top five playgrounds and parks to visit in Woodbury, Oakdale, Cottage Grove and Stillwater.

*Safety Note: Due to COVID-19, check hours before heading out. Play at your own risk! Most playgrounds aren't being cleaned or sanitized. If you do venture out, bring your own wipes and hand sanitizer. Remember social distancing rules while playing.*


Locations are listed alphabetically.




Lake Elmo Park Reserve Playground

1515 Keats Ave

Lake Elmo, MN

What we love about Lake Elmo Park Reserve Playground: 

We love Lake Elmo Park Reserve Playground because of the large unique playground.  There is a great combination of swings, fun slides, tunnels and sand space.  It's the perfect park for all ages, since there are separate playgrounds for the littles and the big kids.  My boys could spend the whole day here and not get bored!

Amenities at Lake Elmo Park Reserve Playground: 

Being in the park reserve, there are so many amenities for the family. You really can spend the whole day in the park reserve. Next to the playground is the man-made beach. It's a beach with a sand bottom, and the perfect place for the kids to cool off on a hot summer day. Plenty of picnic tables with shade trees, walking and bike trails, and plenty of bathrooms.  Note: A vehicle permit is required to enter the park, $7 daily pass and $30 annual pass.

  • Playground with sand surface
  • Sand beach
  • Bathrooms 
  • Picnic tables
  • Bike and walking trails
  • Fishing pier
  • Large parking lot





Madison's Place Playground

4125 Radio Drive

Woodbury, MN

What we love about Madison's Place Playground: 

Madison's Place Playground in Woodbury is another family favorite!  An inclusive playground, with a rubber surface, offers a perfect place to hang out. Kids of all abilities will find this to be a great playground! Fun play structures with slides, climbing surfaces, swings, seated zip lines, and monkey bars.  My kids especially love the large merry-go-round and seesaw.  An added bonus is the splash pad, steps away from the playground.  Perfect combo and a great place to meet for a playdate with friends.

Amenities at Madison's Place Playground: 

Madison's Place has a large bathroom/changing facility with baby changing tables.  Picnic tables and benches are spread out around the park, as well as a drinking/water fountain.  Next door is the Sports Center with more bathrooms and ice rinks. 

  • Accessible playground with rubber surface
  • Splash pad nearby
  • Large parking lot
  • Picnic tables and benches 
  • Bathrooms
  • Drinking fountain





Teddy Bear Park

207 Nelson Street East

Stillwater, MN 

What we love about Teddy Bear Park: 

My kids have loved Teddy Bear Park since they were little and it has always been a family favorite. Teddy Bear Park offers a cute themed park to play. We love the unique train themed play structure and the sand area.  Make a day out of it, and spend some time exploring Stillwater while you are there!

Amenities at Teddy Bear Park: 

The park is enclosed and makes a fun place to meet for a playdate. It's also within walking distance to downtown Stillwater, if you are looking for a spot to grab a snack or lunch.  Bathrooms on-site. In the summer, they offer kid friendly entertainment. 

  • Playground
  • Sand area to play and dig
  • Concert stage (shows in the summer)
  • Bathrooms
  • Close enough to walk to restaurants for lunch
  • Photo opportunities with the cute bears!





Richard Walton Park

15th St. North and Hadley Ave.

Oakdale, MN

What we love about Richard Walton Park: 

Richard Walton Park in Oakdale is the perfect neighborhood park.  It's always buzzing with activity from baseball games, a fun skateboard park, and a concert bandshell. In the summer, they offer concerts and movies in the park. It really has something for everyone!  A great place to spend the afternoon, have a picnic and hang out.

Amenities at Richard Walton Park: 

The playground (with wood chips) is enclosed, which is great if you are trying to keep an eye on multiple kids and little ones.  Bathrooms are nearby, as well as plenty of tables to bring a long a picnic lunch or enjoy a snack. The picnic shelters also offer some shade from the sun.  If you a skateboarder in the family, the skate park offers a place to practice. The park is also within a 5 min drive from coffee shops, grocery stores and restaurants.  

  • Enclosed playground
  • Picnic tables and picnic shelters
  • Bandshell (concerts in the summer)
  • Baseball diamonds
  • Bathrooms 
  • Grills
  • Skateboard park
  • Tennis courts





Woodridge Park

9000 90th Street South

Cottage Grove, MN 

What we love about Woodridge Park: 

Woodridge Park in Cottage Grove has quickly become one of our favorite playgrounds!  We love how this playground is made for people of all abilities and ages.  Tons of fun play structures, swings, slides and climbing structures.  Musical play elements, a tunnel to explore and sitting zip lines make this a unique playground.  

Amenities at Woodridge Park: 

Woodridge Park has a variety of things to do and will keep the kids entertained.  From a basketball court to a tennis court, and an awesome playground! There is also a covered picnic shelter that offers some shade from the sun and a great place for a snack or lunch.  Bathrooms are nearby as well as a water fountain.  

  • Inclusive playground with rubber surface
  • Picnic tables and picnic shelters
  • Basketball court
  • Large parking lot
  • Bathrooms
  • Plenty of shade trees
  • Tennis court
  • Baseball diamonds


Hope this list of top five playgrounds and parks in Woodbury, Oakdale, Cottage Grove & Stillwater helps you find -- or rediscover! -- some fun places for your family to explore this summer. Now get those kids out to play!


Looking for more family fun? Macaroni Kid-SE Metro is a free weekly newsletter and website for families in the Woodbury, Oakdale, Cottage Grove and Stillwater communities.  Receive a FREE events calendar delivered to your inbox each week, along with giveaways, product and event reviews, community events and more. Sign up for the free events calendar HERE!