Francis Park

Francis Park is a gem of a South St. Louis city park that genuinely punches above its weight for families. Tucked into the Dogtown neighborhood, it offers one of the best free half-days you can put together in the city — a quality playground, a seasonal spray ground, massive open lawns, and a beautiful shaded picnic area that makes it genuinely pleasant for parents while kids run wild.

The spray ground is the undisputed star for the under-8 crowd during summer months. Water jets, sprayers, and splash elements pop up from the ground, and toddlers and preschoolers absolutely lose themselves in it. Older kids quickly figure out how to maximize the soaking, and by mid-morning on a hot day the area is full of happy, dripping children.

Bring two sets of clothes if you have a toddler — they will be completely soaked.

The playground area is solid, with separate equipment that works well for younger and older kids. The larger open lawn areas are perfect for pickup soccer, frisbee, or just letting kids sprint off their energy. Multiple mature trees provide real shade, which matters on hot St. Louis summer afternoons.

For parents, Francis Park is one of those rare spots where you can actually relax. The layout is manageable, parking is free and plentiful, and there's no admission to track or time to be somewhere. Pack a full picnic and you can genuinely spend 2-3 hours here at zero cost.

The location in Dogtown also means post-park dining options are excellent. Manchester Ave has a good spread of family-friendly casual spots within 5-10 minutes. This park works year-round for playground visits, but summer is when it truly shines thanks to the spray ground. Call ahead to confirm the spray ground is open before planning a water-focused trip.