York and Lancaster Counties are lucky to have so many great parks and playgrounds for kids. My kids have swung, spun, and raced through many of them ... and definitely have their favorites!
But before you go, remember that parks and playgrounds can also be a place to encourage your kids to work on their motor skills!
Here are some great tips from Dr. Chpryelle Carr, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Rea Village Pediatrics.
At playgrounds, children can use creative skills (coming up with their own games), and fine motor and gross motor skills. Children can also strengthen muscles by playing on the playground equipment in a fun but safe way. During the pandemic, many children have had decreased social interactions due to isolation and quarantine guidelines. "Playing outside at the park or playground can help children work on creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication all while playing with others".
The most important thing to remember is that parents are the perfect role models for children. The more parents get outside with their children, the more children will enjoy exploring, creating, and having fun all while exercising and getting fresh air!
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Here’s a list of our family’s favorite parks and playgrounds in Fort Mill and Rock Hill and the reasons we love them.
Harris Street Park:
465 Harris Street, Fort Mill
Nestled in the Harris St. Neighborhood between Jackson and Yorktown, this 10-acre park is home to baseball fields, gazebos, walking trails and a lit basketball court. It has children's play equipment and bathrooms, which makes it an easy favorite for caregivers with kids of all ages.
Riverwalk Playground:
1307 Riverwalk Parkway, Rock Hill
When this playground opened in the fall of 2020 we were all smiles! From the zipline to the amazing play structure, the dizzy spinners and the dedicated toddler area - this park has everything! The one thing we wish it had more of was shade, but maybe in the future they'll add more of that in.
Trailhead Park
7714 Tega Cay Dr., Tega Cay
All Play Together, a park for all ages and abilities, is a brand-new Inclusive playground with poured rubber ground, ramps, adaptive equipment and a sensory garden. It's bright, colorful and a wonderful addition to the area. Our only drawback: it's always pretty crowded.
Walter Y. Elisha Park
345 N White Street, Fort Mill
This park is awesome! It has multiple playsets for kids of different ages, tons of open green for playing ball and walking paths. While you are there, don't forget to walk through the peach orchards! Currently, the Fort Mill Parks and Rec department is adding a new amphitheater. While there aren't bathrooms, there are portable potties and plenty of water fountains.
Cherry Park
1466 Cherry Road, Rock Hill
Cherry Park is Rock Hill’s premier softball/baseball facility, nestled in a beautiful 68-acre park with scenic trails, a large playground and numerous park amenities. We love the play structures and that there are so many places for the kids to run and play. We also love biking around the park! There are plenty of bathrooms and lots of shade when the Carolina sun gets too hot!
Steele Street Park
600 Steele Street, Fort Mill
This 5-acre park in the Steele Street neighborhood is home to Fort Mill’s only splash pad (open Memorial to Labor Day.) It also has a picnic shelter, grills, a lit basketball court, restrooms and, of course, a great playground. Over the summer, you can find summer lunch programs there, too. This park has restrooms and water fountains and we love it!
Allison Park
9374 Founders St, Fort Mill
Located in Baxter Village, this sweet little park offers something totally illusive in Fort Mill playgrounds- ample shade! Tucked in the woods off of Sutton Rd, it offers direct access to the nature trails. Also features adult exercise equipment. We love it!
Doby's Bridge Park
1905 N Doby Bridge Road, Fort Mill
This is a hidden gem, boasting two different playgrounds tucked among baseball fields. If there are no baseball games it’s almost always empty. The newer playground features soft rubber ground which is great for kids who try to eat mulch (not that we know those kids, haha). It also has a covered pavilion with picnic tables. The drawback: bathrooms are not always available.
Millstone Park
104 Spratt St, Fort Mill
This park overlooks Main St. Fort Mill. It is walkable to the little library and has three bench swings. We love to hang out to watch the trains. In addition to the beautiful view, each fall it's home to the Scarecrow walk. With great restaurants within a quick walk (Amor Artis, Improper Pig, Hobos, Olive’s Mud Puddle), go grab some food and run off the energy after! Our only disappointment: no bathrooms!
Cedar Crest Park
720 Wilson Street, Rock Hill
Featuring a fenced tot-lot and some awesome equipment, this sweet little park is perfect for toddlers and younger kids. The only drawbacks are lack of shade and no bathrooms. But, we still love going - especially on spring and fall days when the air is fresh but not too hot!
And while it's not quite ready for us yet, we are so excited for Rock Hill Miracle Park to open later this year. According to plans, the park will be open by summer of 2021 and will be the first of its kind in the US! It will also be the first park in the world to hold a Universal Design certification. Miracle Park will have a state-of-the-art inclusive playground with National Site Certification for Inclusive Play, and three fields - two miracle fields and a standard. You can find more information here.
