Anchorage boasts 223 parks with 82 playgrounds: Some are in the middle of residential areas, and others feel like they’ve been manicured into the center of the wilderness. As you head north to Wasilla, Palmer, and Talkeetna, you’ll find even more playgrounds that take advantage of the unique assets of their locations. Here’s a list of our top picks.
Show Map
Playgrounds
Anchorage
1
Located at the northwest corner of Westchester Lagoon, and next to the Coastal Trail and Westchester Bike Path, the playground’s groupings of equipment create a brilliant play environment that is fun and challenging.
2
The playground here is one of the largest in Anchorage.
3
Set along the Coastal Trail at the very end of 5th Avenue in Anchorage, Elderberry boasts 1.5 acres of scenic parkland with great views of Cook Inlet. Because it’s close to downtown, you can make this a rest stop while touring and shopping downtown. Come with a picnic, or just a walk while enjoying the view.
4
Accessible from both the Campbell Creek Greenbelt Trail and Lake Otis Parkway, this centrally located park got a serious facelift to its playground in 2013.
Wasilla
5
There are also balance beams, monkey bars, ropes and inclined tires for climbing. If that’s not enough, views of Pioneer Peak and other mountains in the Chugach Range are as good as you’ll get anywhere in town, while its two pavilions make hosting parties a cinch.
Palmer
6
Built almost entirely of heavy wooden beams, this complex of towers, swings, monkey bars, and slides can keep kids of all ages entertained for hours.
Big Lake
A volleyball court, tire swings, climbing areas, and lots of grass with access to a swimming beach, where the water isn’t very deep.
Talkeetna
7
Talkeetna may have one of Alaska’s best adult playgrounds, as it hosts mountain climbers and adventurers from all over the world, but that doesn’t mean kids don’t fit in, too. A group of mothers got together in 2008 and built this playground, worthy of a frontier town. Constructed from rough-hewn timbers, the play area incorporates mazes, cabins, swings, slides, and even art from local children.