Stunning views greet parents from this bayside park, while a small beach and playground ensure kids never get bored

This fairly new park (completed in 2019) has all the bells and whistles a family could want. Park on the upper level to make the descent to the playground an adventure, or drive a bit further down the road to the lower parking lot if you want to pack a lawn chair for the beach. 

Kids will love the nature-themed playground with "stumps" and rope nets to climb, as well as some twisty slides. A cushy turf surface makes the space slightly more welcoming to wheelchairs and strollers (vs. sand or wood chips) and also softens the blow if your kids zip down the slide too fast when it's covered in frost or rain.

The two play structures are set up for the standard 2-5 and 5+ age groups but are located close enough together that a solo parent can spot a younger child while maintaining sightlines on an older independent climber. There are no swings at this park, but my swing-loving kids didn't seem to mind since there were lots of climbing obstacles to enjoy. 

Down a flight of stairs or a wide winding ramp, families will find a small beach that's roped off for swimming in the summer and partially blocked from waves by a long curving pier. Large pieces of imported driftwood provide a natural climbing space (and "seating" for a snack break). You'll also find clean restrooms on the beach level, although only the single-stall family bathrooms are open during the pandemic. 

Outside of the pandemic, REI offers kayak and canoe rentals from the beach area. 

With a generous parking allocation of 4 hours, families can walk 10 minutes up the hill to the Downtown Park without moving the car. The Inspiration Playground is a destination in and of itself, but as a result, it's consistently pretty busy even on weekdays. We decided to pick up a coffee and hot chocolate from Third Culture Coffee and enjoy them in a quieter area of the park while watching the huge waterfall-style fountain.  

Note: the city's website is a little clunky at times. As of February 2021, the Meydenbauer Bay page says the pier and playground are temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I recommend checking the Parks and Community Services page for the latest updates (currently playgrounds are open). Please help the community keep critical outdoor recreation spaces open by wearing a mask when you can't consistently maintain 6 feet of distance from others, washing hands frequently and avoiding gathering with people outside of your household.