Visiting PrairiePlay at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana with Your Family

The new Meadowbrook Park playground, dubbed PrairiePlay, is already a favorite hangout for kids and their grown-ups

PrairiePlay combines state-of-the-art playground equipment with the natural elements that make Meadowbrook so special

After months of construction, followed by a winter that limited play to those unseasonably warm days, PrairiePlay at stands ready to welcome a new generation of kids to Meadowbrook Park. The accessible playground is open from dawn to dusk at 2808 S. Race St., and will host an open house on May 3.

PrairiePlay boasts a large central structure, great for kids of all ages, with slides, various climbing apparatuses, and a super-tall internal maze. Little ones will love discovering activities built into the walls, like bells, mirrors, matching games, and more.

Alongside the central structure, there is a climbing spider web, spinning chairs, and an accessible merry-go-round. In fact, most of PrairiePlay’s features are accessible, allowing kids of all abilities to enjoy some fun at the playground. A bonus: “accessible” also means parents with strollers can enter the main structure to keep eyes on toddlers.

PrairiePlay has attractions for all ages, including a toddler area (ideal for ages 2 – 5) with a playhouse and animal statues to climb. Toddlers will love playing pretend in this area; it looks like a restaurant and a cottage!

Other playground features include a music area, zip lines, and swings (including a group swing). There are two zip lines; one is an accessible chair with a lap bar, and the other is a seat on a rope. There are even a few concrete chess tables and chairs, if you’re so inclined to play a little park chess.

Tips for Parents

Meadowbrook Park is one of the area’s most popular outdoor destinations. There are public restrooms that are open mid-April through mid-October. Drinking fountains are also available for use. Parking is free and is available in the lot directly adjacent to the playground (along Windsor) and in the lot on the other side of the park (along Race). A note from one frequent-flyer parent: since PrairiePlay’s opening last fall, we’ve found that the Windsor lot is packed on nice weekday afternoons, and almost always full on weekends. Parking could be difficult there, so be prepared to head to the Race Street lot and take a beautiful walk through the woods to get to the playground.

Caregivers will rejoice at the plethora of seating available at PrairiePlay. There are a few benches centrally located under large shade umbrellas (prime seating!), plus benches situated in a couple other locations on the edges of the play area. Large landscape rocks provide more seating.

The playground consists of rubberized floor material, engineered wood fiber surfacing, concrete paths, pavers, and wood mulch. Because it’s accessible, most of the terrain is easily traversed with strollers, wheelchairs, and on foot. There is no full fence around the playground, but there is fencing along the parking lot to help block that area from wandering kiddos.

Is PrairiePlay good for toddlers?

Meadowbrook Park playground is great for all ages, including toddlers. Those with little ones might enjoy mornings at the park the most, especially when school is still in session, as it has seemed to be less crowded thus far. But the playground is plenty big enough for everyone, even when lots of kids are there playing.

A note from a toddler-parent: the main climbing structure is very tall, and while it’s completely enclosed at the highest points, little ones may find it a bit confusing traversing to the top. It’s not especially easy to see kids while they’re climbing inside, so be prepared to follow your particularly tentative little climber.

What other amenities are at Meadowbrook Park?

Meadowbrook Park is far more than just the playground! With three miles of large, multi-use paved paths, it’s the perfect place for a walk or a jog. Strollers do great at Meadowbrook. There are shady portions and wide-open prairie in the park, making for beautiful scenery. Sculptures, a creek, plenty of seating, pavilions, and more make this one of our favorite parks.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by chambanamoms.com (@chambanamoms)

Visiting PrairiePlay at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana with Your Family

The new Meadowbrook Park playground, dubbed PrairiePlay, is already a favorite hangout for kids and their grown-ups

PrairiePlay combines state-of-the-art playground equipment with the natural elements that make Meadowbrook so special

Tips for Parents

Is PrairiePlay good for toddlers?

What other amenities are at Meadowbrook Park?

How do I get to PrairiePlay?

More on all your favorite outdoor activities:

Top spots for outdoor recreation near Champaign-Urbana: