Best New Seattle-Area Playgrounds of 2021

The bright and inviting new playground at Kirkland’s Totem Lake Park is a must-visit play stop, but most Eastside families won’t have to go far out of their way to play. The Totem Lake area is an errand-running destination for many of these families, and the playground is conveniently located right by Trader Joe’s.

Climbing is a focus here — good for developing those gross motor skills — and kids will find ladders, balance steps and a cone-shaped cargo climber. When the kids scramble up to the green structures resembling phone booths, explain to them what a telephone booth was.