Burleson Park

This is the kind of quiet low-key park for kids who plan on meeting up with other kids from their third grade class. The equipment is up to date and as safe as playground gear can get. Well-manicured lawns, gently curving sidewalks and Pollyanna-style shade trees make this the perfect after-school-getaway for kids, parents and babysitters!

Tennis courts are nice, can be reserved for 1.5 hours on M TH F. Requires permit and call

One of my kid's favorite parks. They prefer the "squishy ground" to wood chips, and this park has it! I like this park because there is plenty of close parking (no lengthy trek across fields and fields of grass). Parking is limited to 2 hours, probably because the park is basically on SMU campus. There are a couple swings, a smaller play structure, and a larger play structure. Playground is geared toward older kids, as there are a few hard-to-climb structures and places a tiny tot could fall down/off. Though it's not too tall, compared to some playgrounds. There are some benches, several picnic tables, sidewalks that lap around, green spaces, water fountains (off in the winter), and a port-a-john. Stays somewhat shady in the mornings and late afternoons. I wanted to edit this to add -- the parking spaces have 2 hour limits. I never thought anything of it because I'm not generally at the park longer than that, but my friends stayed later after playgroup one day and we're ticketed! So be wary of parking violations, it is enforced.

Plenty of free "2 hour" parking surrounds this park on the northeast edge of the SMU campus. Tennis courts (2) and playground equipment are well maintained. Walking path surrounds plenty of open space. There are also 2 basketball goals in a semi-shaded area. Lots of young families and pets seen here on the weekends. Bonus is the neatly hidden port-a-john (hey, it's better than nothing) on the south side of park along University Blvd.

A great park with plenty of open space, a basketball court, and two tennis courts. The playground has a squishy, rubber surface that helps soften a fall. There are a few trees around the playground that provide a good amount of shade during the hotter summer days.