Playground Review: MacDonald Woods Park

We call it the pool playground. Not because MacDonald Woods Park in Cary has a pool, but because the play equipment sits on top of large, bright blue rubber matting and it kind of looks like a big swimming pool.

There are a lot of reasons to love this great playground, which sits not too far off Cary Parkway (near the Trader Joe's if that's a landmark for you), especially in the summer.

First of all, it's very shady. Tall hardwoods cover much of the playground, making it bearable even at noon on a summer day, a mom told me when I visited the other week.

There's a good mix of equipment here, including a couple of play sets; a teeter totter; a merry-go-round where kids can spin each other around; and a large sand pit. The playground area is spacious too. There's plenty of room for kids to run from piece to piece.

But there's more here than the playground. Cary's paved Hinshaw greenway trail sits along the edge of the park. Follow that 0.8 miles, crossing the pedestrian bridge over Hwy. 64 about half way, and you'll get to Kids Together playground, which I consider one of the best in the Triangle. Click here to see my earlier review of Kids Together.

My family spent a fun morning at both parks, playing mostly at MacDonald Woods, walking 15 minutes or so to Kids Together (where you'll find bathrooms) and playing there for a bit before we headed back to MacDonald Woods.

MacDonald Woods is at 1601 Seabrook Ave. in Cary. Watch the video to get a closer look at the playground.

And a big note: I just learned that the pedestrian bridge is expected to be closed (starting July 11) from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 15 for some structural improvements.

Looking for other places to take your kids? Check our database of park and playground reviews and list of Triangle family destinations.