When the weekend forecasts show clear skies and sunshine, our family is always eager to find ways to spend time together outdoors. Parks are a great place to start, and Shawnee has one of the newest playgrounds in our state. KidSpace Park is a $3.5 million project that was completed in June 2023 and has become one of Oklahoma’s top 5 premier parks. Guests of all ages will enjoy exploring this colorful, multifaceted playground and its communal gathering spaces.
During our visit, we were immediately awestruck by the fun, space-themed design throughout the park’s playscapes, as well as the abundance of shaded seating across the property. The central hub of the park has a giant outdoor checkerboard surrounded by comfy, red lounge chairs and string lights stretched high above for a welcoming entrance to the park. There are designated play areas for both younger (2-5 years old) and older (5-12 years old) children, offering age-appropriate playground equipment surrounded by cushioned flooring and soft turf for additional safety. Even with all the amenities, kids will stay busy with the wide variety of slides, swings, tunnels and climbing structures. The main area also has several pavilions with tables and benches, a perfect spot to host your child’s next birthday party. There are also bathrooms and water fountains nearby for added convenience. We were glad to see the park is fully fenced for added security, especially given its proximity to a large parking lot.
A unique attraction within the park is the ninja obstacle course, which includes a timer so kids can race the clock with each attempt. Next to the obstacle course, my boys also had fun racing each other on the 40-yard dash track, each with their own lane to run and a time clock. The park property is also encircled by a paved walking trail, just under half a mile, for anyone wanting to add some steps to their day but still be able to keep an eye on their kids at play. Our family also appreciated how pet-friendly the park was, so we could bring our leashed-dogs along for an afternoon outing too.
Within the bounds of the park and adjacent to the playground, families can enjoy easy access to a basketball court, two pickleball courts and an extensive skate park. The skate park has a wide range of ramps and features, all with different degrees of difficulty to accommodate all abilities. This 7-acre park also has plenty of open spaces for picnicking and outdoor games, like ping pong, cornhole, horseshoes and checkers. These game pieces can be checked out onsite Fridays and Saturdays from 9am-12pm and 5pm-8pm or from the Recreation Center Monday through Thursday, but feel free to bring your own too!
KidSpace Park is a beautiful establishment in the heart of Shawnee and just a half hour drive from the OKC metro area, so it would be an easy weekend excursion for families looking for a change of scenery. Our family loved the park’s aesthetic, cleanliness, variety of activities available and the overall ambiance, a perfect gathering place for the community to enjoy with families and friends.
