Marin's 5 Favorite Playgrounds for Family Fun
One of the questions we often get asked is "What's the best playground in Marin?" We looked to social media and our website statistics to find out what playgrounds are the most popular with our audience. So, without further ado, here are the 5 favorite playgrounds in Marin, along with the five runners-up.
Number 1: Millennium Playground, San Anselmo
Millennium Playground is located in San Anselmo's Memorial Park and comes in first this year in our in our readers' picks. Millennium Park has long been a favorite with Marin County families, and features a tot lot with a train theme and an awesome play castle and dinosaur for imaginative playground adventures. This wonderful playground was built by a small army of volunteers in the amazing time span of just two days! Location: 1000 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, San Anselmo 94960
Number 2: Pioneer Park, Novato
Pioneer Park, a big nine-acre park in western Novato, has newly refurbished multiple playgrounds designed for accessibility and inclusive play. You'll also find rolling green lawns, picnic areas, shady trees, tennis courts, a gazebo, and a historic pioneer cemetery to explore on the hill adjacent to the park. It's a popular place for birthday parties, for good reason! Location: 1007 Simmons Lane, Novato 94945
Number 3: Peacock Gap Park, San Rafael
Peacock Gap Park is a community park on the east side of San Rafael with newly renovated playground areas, including a tot park and a space for older kids, along with grass play fields, hiking paths, and tennis courts. Playgrounds here have plenty of shade and cool features like spinners, hammocks, and musical components. Location: Peacock Drive (off Point San Pedro Road), San Rafael, CA 94901.
Number 4: Piper Park, Larkspur
Located in the heart of Central Marin, Piper Park is a 2.2-acre oasis of fun for the whole family. With a newly renovated playground, lovely wooded setting along Corte Madera Creek, numerous sports fields, and views of Mt. Tam, it's the perfect place to spend the day playing and relaxing. It's also a popular spot with local families for kids' birthday parties. Location: 250 Doherty Drive, Larkspur 94939
Number 5: Old Mill Park, Mill Valley
Nestled in a magical redwood grove adjacent to the library, Mill Valley's beloved Old Mill Park features a playground along with unique features like an amphitheater that hosts kids programs like outdoor story time, a replica of the historic Reed Mill that gives the town its name, and a gentle creek that runs through it. In addition, you'll find picnic areas with BBQ grills and clean restrooms. Note that parking is along the street only and it can get pretty busy here on weekends. Location: 64 Cascade Drive (at Throckmorton), Mill Valley CA 94941
The Runners Up
Of course, we had a lot of great suggestions for favorite parks. We thought we'd also list the five runners-up, since they're all well worth a visit, too. The runners up for favorite Marin County park are:
- Peri Park, 16 Park Road, Fairfax
- Corte Madera Town Park, 498 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera
- Marinwood Park, Mill Creek Road, San Rafael
- Maria B. Freitas Park, Montecillo Road at Trellis Drive, San Rafael
- Belvedere Park, San Rafael Avenue and Community Road, Belvedere
