Jackson Metro
Local Parks & Nature
LeFleur's Bluff Playground - Jackson
“The 30,000-square-foot playground is separated into different play areas based on age, for children ages 6 months to 12 years old. The playground features a unique play structure for ages 6-23 months, the Wedra, which is the first play structure in the world with this design. Another feature is the Hedra® Tower, which is designed for children ages 5-12 and is the fourth play structure in the country with this design. Shade structures cover 75 percent of the playground, making the area below up to 30 degrees cooler for year-round outdoor play.”
Kid-friendly Features: Located between Science Museum and Children’s Museum, handicapped-accessible, shaded areas, bathrooms, vending machines, and concession stand
Ages: All ages. There are separate play areas based on age
Admission: Free
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8AM - 5PM
Saturday: 9AM - 5PM
Sunday: 1PM - 5PM
The playground will be CLOSED on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.
Concession Stand Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 9:30AM - 4:30PM
Sunday: 1:30PM - 4:30PM
Address: 2148 Riverside Dr, Jackson, MS 39202
Phone: 601-576-6000
photos courtesy of Kid-Friendly Mississippi
WINNER’S CIRCLE PARK - FLOWOOD
Three Covered Playgrounds: (Ages 0-2 playground, ages 2-5 playground, ages 5-12 playground), lighted tennis courts, 1/2 mile walking track, amphitheater, 8 open air pavilions, restrooms with changing tables, water fountains, vending machines, outdoor sculptures
Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m
Address: 100 Winners Cir, Flowood, MS 39232
Phone: (601) 992-4440
photos by Kid-Friendly Mississippi
Clinton Community Nature Center - Clinton
The Clinton Community Nature Center features miles of beautiful, shaded walking trails, Play Forest, Mud Kitchen, Splashing Frog Water Feature, amphitheater, native plants, Price Hall, popular annual events and programs.
The Nature Center is owned and operated by the Clinton Community Nature Center Association, Inc., a 501c(3) non-profit organization formed to preserve a precious tract of woods, located right in the heart of Clinton, Mississippi. The Nature relies heavily on Supporters, Volunteers, Memberships, and Fundraisers. We strive to conserve our land and historic features while developing a place for the application, enjoyment, and study of nature in all aspects.
Hours: Everyday 7 AM - sunset
Address: 617 Dunton Road, Clinton, MS 39056
Phone: (601) 926-1104
photos by Kid-Friendly Mississippi
FLOWOOD NATURE PARK - Flowood
40 acres off Flowood Drive just beyond Winner's Circle Park, and adjacent to Flowood Elementary. A one mile, paved, distance-marked walking trail runs from the parking lot around the lake and into a wooded area on the rear of the park. The trail weaves through a mature hardwood forest with markers for native trees and plant species where kids can learn about trees, plants and wildlife. Wooden benches and picnic spots accent the way. The Nature Park has rentable open-air pavilions with two picnic tables, and amphitheater for outdoor classes or weddings, and a beautiful lake with a fountain.
Hours: Open everyday from dawn to dusk
Address: 4077 Flowood Dr, Flowood, MS 39232
Phone: (601) 992-4440
photos by Kid-Friendly Mississippi
Pearl City Park
Hours: Everyday - 6AM-9PM
Address: Mary Ann Dr, Pearl, MS 39208
photos by Kid-Friendly Mississippi
MISSISSIPPI PETRIFIED FOREST - Flora
Mississippi Petrified Forest is a petrified forest located near Flora. It is privately owned and open for public visits. The forest is believed to have been formed 36 million years ago when fir and maple logs washed down an ancient river channel to the current site where they later became petrified. It is one of only two petrified forests in the eastern United States, the other being Gilboa Fossil Forest in New York. It was declared a National Natural Landmark in October 1965.
The site features a museum with examples of petrified wood found in every state and from other countries. The samples include a variety of plant materials, including leaves, fruits, cones and bark. Other fossils and fossil casts are on display, including dinosaur footprints, whale bones and turtle shells.
Amenities & Activities: Nature trail, museum, gem mining flume, campground, pavilion, gift shop
Admission:
ADULT $7.00
STUDENT (grades 1-12) $6.00
SENIORS $6.00
Groups (15 or more) $5.00 each
Hours: Open year round (except Thanksgiving & Christmas Day)
Summer hours April 1 to Labor Day 9am – 6pm
Winter hours Labor Day to April 1 9am – 5pm
Address: 124 Forest Park Rd, Flora, MS 39071
Phone: (601) 879-8189
photos by Kid-Friendly Mississippi
Museum Trail - Jackson
“The Museum Trail is an approximately 3 mile multi-use trail connecting the Mississippi Farmers Market to the Mississippi Children’s Museum. The trail provides access to LeFleur's Bluff State Park, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, the Mississippi History Museum, and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Nearly 2 miles of the trail is Jackson's first "rail trail" along the old GM&O line on the eastern border of the Belhaven and Belhaven Heights neighborhoods. The trail connects three parks, and provides safe passage across I-55 for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles.”
Hours: Open everyday, 7AM – 9PM
Address: Mississippi Farmer's Market (High St.) and Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (Riverside Dr.)
photo courtesy of Museum Trail
Liberty Village Playground/LIBERTY PARK - MADISON
8 lighted baseball/softball fields, 4 regulation soccer fields, 3 T-ball practice fields, Lighted batting cages, 2 beach volleyball courts, 2 concession stands, 1 1/2 mile paved walking trail on the western side of Liberty Park, Liberty Village Playground, 4 restroom facilities are located here.
Hours: Open everyday from dawn to dusk
Address: 810 Madison Ave, Madison, MS 39110
Phone: (601) 853-9109
photos by Kid-Friendly Mississippi
STRAWBERRY PATCH PARK - MADISON
One-acre lake, 1 mile lighted walking trail, playground equipment, picnic tables and benches, Strawberry Patch Meeting Hall & Chapel, restroom facilities
Acreage: 7
Hours: Open everyday from dawn to dusk
Address: 271 St Augustine Dr, Madison, MS 39110
Phone: 601-853-9109
photos by Kid-Friendly Mississippi
FREEDOM RIDGE PARK - RIDGELAND
Freedom Ridge Park, a 50-acre state-of-the-art athletic facility, is located at 235 West School Street, just behind the Ridgeland Police Department. The park features four lighted adult regulation softball fields, four lighted regulation soccer fields, four picnic pavilions, two playgrounds, two concession/restroom buildings, a lighted walking trail and a maintenance facility.
Acreage: 50 Acres
Hours: Everyday: 6:30 AM-10:15 PM
Address: 253 W School St, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone: (601) 856-7113
photo courtesy of Sarah Faucette
Lions Club Park - Clinton
Hours: Open everyday from dawn to dusk
Address: 251 E Leake St, Clinton, MS 39056
photos by Kid-Friendly Mississippi