Savor Fall Days At One of Reston's Best Playgrounds

Reston has no shortage of places for kids to play, but anyone with little ones knows the key to a long day is variety. Reston Patch contributor Amy Ayres, the parent of two preschoolers, takes a look at some of the best places to play in Reston.

Reston North Park: Better known as the Home Depot playground (because it’s located behind ), this is probably the biggest one in town.

It features two levels, with a larger play structure for older kids, and a pint-sized one on the lower level. It’s got lots of space to run around – but that and the two levels can be a challenge if you have more than one child with you. 

The park doesn’t have shade cover, so it’s great in the Fall but isn’t the best place to visit in the blazing summer sun. It does have a few benches where parents and caregivers to sit and watch the action.

Location: Reston Parkway and Stevenage Road

Parking: The park has its own parking lot

Cabots Point: If you’re looking for something smaller, this one might be for you. Cabots Point is a pretty quiet playground, with baby and big-kid swings, a play structure that’s got a couple of levels that make it workable for little kids and the bigger ones, a big grassy area to play tag and a tree that every kid seems interested in climbing.

The play structure has steering wheels, a wall to climb and two (fairly steep) slides. It does have some open areas up high on the play structure that can make parents with little ones nervous, so you have to watch toddlers closely, but the kids have a great time. It doesn’t have picnic tables, so bring a blanket to sit in the grass when you want to take a break.

Location: South Lakes Drive and Cabots Point Lane

Parking: Street parking along Cabots Point Lane

Deer Forest Park: This neighborhood playground has a play structure that keeps both toddlers and big kids entertained.

It’s so nicely tucked into the neighborhood that you can miss it if you’re not looking for it. It’s shaded and includes picnic tables, and is right off of a bike path. It gets busy after the school bus drops neighborhood kids off in the afternoon, but is often a spot for a quiet play date.

Location: Reston Parkway and Deer Forest Road

Parking: Street parking along Deer Forest Road

Golf Course Island: This playground has separate play areas for small children and older kids, but the setup still makes it possible to watch everyone.

The area for toddlers is surrounded by a fence, which makes it easier to contain those wanderers. It has a pavilion with picnic tables overlooking the toddler area, so it’s a good spot to bring your own lunch and picnic with friends.

Location: North Shore Drive and Links Drive, across from the community gardens

Parking: Street parking along North Shore Drive, or there is a parking lot at the which is a shore walk down a path to the playground.

Baron Cameron Park: There’s a lot going on at this park, with soccer games and the dog park. But you may not have noticed that there’s also a playground with a couple of picnic tables under a tree. It includes one large play structure with slides, a poll to slide down and tunnels to climb through. And the swings are close by, so you can push an infant or toddler while watching an older child play.

Location: Wiehle and Baron Cameron Avenues

Parking: The park has plenty of space in its parking lot.