Zachary's Playground

Zachary's Playground at Hawk Ridge Park in Lake Saint Louis is considered one of the best inclusive playgrounds in the St. Louis metro area — and after one visit, it's easy to see why families drive from across St. Louis and St. Charles Counties to play here.

The playground was designed with a core philosophy: all kids should be able to play together, regardless of ability. The result is a large, thoughtfully designed play space where children in wheelchairs, kids with sensory processing needs, children with developmental differences, and typically developing kids all share the same equipment. Wide rubberized ramps, adaptive swings, ground-level sensory panels, and accessible climbing structures mean that no child has to sit on the sidelines while their friends play.

For parents of kids with special needs, this isn't just nice to have — it's genuinely meaningful. Watching your child use the same equipment as their peers, without modification or exclusion, is a powerful experience. Zachary's Playground delivers that.

For families without kids who have disabilities, the playground is simply excellent: large, well-maintained, with enough variety to hold the attention of kids ages 1-12 for a solid 90 minutes or more. The rubberized surfacing is easy on strollers and young walkers. The equipment ranges from toddler-appropriate ground-level activities to more challenging climbing structures for older kids.

Practical notes: there's no water fountain on site, so bring water especially in summer. The surrounding Hawk Ridge Park has open space for post-playground walking. Lake Saint Louis has restaurants and casual dining within 5-10 minutes.

If you're anywhere in the St. Louis or St. Charles County area and haven't been to Zachary's Playground, put it on the list. It's free, exceptional, and worthy of a special trip.