Work It Out: 7 Seattle-Area Parks With Exercise Equipment for Grown-Ups

Grown-ups, you can get moving at the playground, too!

Parents spend hours at playgrounds watching their little ones run, climb, jump and play. It’s tempting to just stand around with phone in hand. But check out these area playgrounds that throw grown-ups a bone, offering a new type of play equipment. In these spots, there’s equipment focused on getting parents and caregivers moving themselves.

Ranging from gliders to boost cardio activity to strength equipment for arms, legs and abs, these mini outdoor fitness gyms are a great way to work out while your children play — right within sight. Here are seven parks with excellent playgrounds that also have adult exercise equipment.

First stop: waterside playfield

Montlake Playfield, Seattle

For kids: Fabulous Montlake Playfield has climbing equipment for kids from toddler to preteen. The play structures have a lot of fun elements that you won’t find on the typical playground. The biggest structure is set up like an obstacle course with challenging nets for climbing and exciting rope bridges.

For adults: Norwell adult equipment sits along two sides of the play area. In addition to gliders, you’ll find equipment to work the quad muscles, back and chest. This park also has tennis courts, a soccer pitch and plenty of space to run.

Find it: 1618 E. Calhoun St., Seattle; free parking in the lot or along neighborhood streets.

Also nearby: Bike or walk the secret trail that starts at the northeast corner of the park and crosses under the 520 Bridge to more waterfront parks on Foster Island.

Next stop: Atlantic Street

Atlantic Street Park, Seattle

For kids: Atlantic Street Park in South Seattle is a cute neighborhood park with a bright orange play structure with slides and tunnels geared toward kids ages 5 and older. Younger siblings can explore the interactive gears and dials near the bottom of the structure, or take a turn on the baby swings.

For adults: One of the first parks to have fitness equipment installed, this spot has some of the best variety of adult exercise equipment, with five stations set close around the playground. Stations offer a mix of stretching, strengthening and cardio opportunities. Several of the apparatuses allow you to adjust the resistance, and the exercise bike and arm pedal machine are particularly good.

Find it: 21st Avenue S. and S. Atlantic Street, Seattle; free street parking available.

Also nearby: Walk or bike the I-90 trail, which runs right by this park, a half-mile east to reach Sam Smith Park, which also has a play area and adult exercise equipment.

Next stop: Eastside wonderland

Marymoor Park, Redmond

For adults: Eastside families know that Marymoor Park is the grandmommy of parks serving diverse interests. The Seattle nonprofit MOMentum, started by Seattle moms Paige Green Dunn and Kelly Singer, raised the funds to have Kompan equipment installed around one of the two playgrounds at Marymoor. You’ll find gliders called free riders that provide a light cardio workout, plus sit-up benches and equipment for leg lifts, abs and arms.

For kids: The playground with the adult fitness equipment is located near Lot K and has two large play structures that feature slides, climbing nets, bridges and tunnels. Also nearby are swings and other small play equipment including a popular dinosaur kids can ride on.

Find it: 6046 West Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., Redmond. Park in Lot K for $1.

Also nearby: Explore other parts of Marymoor Park, which has another playground, as well as flat trails perfect for biking, a large off-leash dog park and a climbing pinnacle where it’s fun for kids to watch expert climbers.

Next stop: Les Gove

Les Gove Park, Auburn

For kids: One of the best playgrounds in the south end, Les Gove Park has a large play area with plenty to do; it was carefully designed to be accessible to kids with disabilities. Kids will especially love the steep slides, musical instruments and a large sand play area that includes a man-made creek. A popular spray park also operates in the summer.

For adults: Parents and caregivers will find fitness equipment (also donated by MOMentum) to work abs, obliques and arms set along the north side of the playground. There are also several gliders that face the play area.

Find it: 910 9th Street S.E., Auburn; free parking in the lot off Deal’s Way.

Also nearby: This 20-acre park has tons more to explore, including a flat, paved walking/biking path, bocce ball court, gymnasium with drop-in programs and public library branch. The adjacent White River Valley Museum is a small, kid-friendly museum with fascinating, unusual rotating exhibits plus permanent, hands-on fun for kids. Don’t miss snapping a photo with the spectacular public art at Les Gove Park.

Next stop: Bataan Park

Bataan Park, West Seattle

For kids: Smaller Bataan Park in the High Point neighborhood of West Seattle has one climbing structure with a tall slide, a tunnel and an attached climbing wall. You’ll also find swings and a dome climber. Kids can bike the short paved path that circles the park and the adult fitness equipment.

For adults: Eight pieces of adult fitness equipment are set within close view of the playground at Bataan Park. Exercises range from abs and arms to gliders and leg presses. Pamphlets explaining how to use each piece of equipment are available near the park’s entrance.

Also nearby: This neighborhood has other playgrounds and the High Point Library branch within walking distance. Less than a mile away find the fantastic High Point play area.

Find it: High Point Drive S.W. and Bataan Place S.W., Seattle; free street parking.

Next stop: Bitter Lake

Bitter Lake Reservoir Park, North Seattle

For kids: A large domed net climber, a colorful play structure and a few smaller freestanding toys provide plenty for kids to do while adults sneak in some exercise time at Bitter Lake Reservoir Open Space. This handy corner park is near lots of houses and apartments home to neighborhood families.

For adults: Kompan equipment (donated by MOMentum) frames both sides of the playground and includes two gliders and several pieces to work primarily your arms and abs while kids play within sight.

Find it: Linden Avenue N. and N. 143rd St., Seattle. Free street parking.

Also nearby: Explore Bitter Lake Playfield, which has a pleasant shoreline and an additional playground. It is located a half-mile to the south.

Next stop: Work out central

Green Lake Park, North Seattle

For kids and adults: Green Lake Park is a classic Seattle exercise spot, offering a 2.8-mile flat, paved trail that is for ideal strollers, or a walk or run while your child bikes, scoots or skates. You’ll find adult workout stations in a few spots along the path if you keep your eye out. Stop near the Green Lake Community Center for a rest and some fun on the large playground, or even a family swim in the Evans Pool if it’s open.

Find it: There is free parking in several lots around the lake and on side streets, though it can be tough to find on sunny days.

Also nearby: If you’ve exhausted your activities at Green Lake (with the playground, two beach areas and even a pitch-and-putt golf course, this is difficult to do), wander up the hill and across the stone bridges over Aurora Avenue North to explore the play equipment at the West Woodland Park Playground (near the corner of Phinney Avenue North and North 59th Street) or the Sensory Garden at the Woodland Park Zoo’s rose garden.

Next stop: Georgetown Playfield and more

More places to get moving!

• The new-ish and phenomenal Georgetown Playfield playground offers adult exercise equipment next to the super-fun kids’ stuff.
• Shoreline’s Paramount School Park has adult exercise equipment, and a terrific paved loop for kids on bikes or scooters, or even where adults can walk or run while older kids play on the playground equipment or skate park.
• Powell Barnett Park offers adventure for kids and some exercise equipment for grown-ups.
• Find adult fitness equipment near the play area at Rainier Beach Playfield.
• Van Asselt Community Center offers fitness equipment near its play area.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published a few years ago and updated most recently for 2023.