Newly Opened Cheryl Chow Park Brightens Up Playtime

It’s officially playground season! While I am a big believer in visiting playgrounds year-round, it’s not likely that a brand-new park or playground will have a grand opening in the middle of the dark, cold and rainy season here. So with the start of spring, I eagerly awaited new playgrounds to explore with my young daughter. And the wait is finally over, as an incredible new playground just came to Seattle’s Rainier Valley.

Cheryl Chow Park, named after a Seattle councilmember, offers families 1.2 acres of green space where they can picnic, play and work out. The day of the ribbon-cutting ceremony brought blue skies and sunshine, and the community was out to celebrate the opening of this long-awaited park.

Playground structures for all ages

We parked on a quiet side street and made our way to the park, spotting bright orange, yellow and red equipment as we rounded the corner. My daughter was drawn like a magnet to the first play structure, designed for ages 2–5.

While I thought she’d immediately go for the slide, she spent the first few minutes balancing on stepping stones, holding onto thick ropes as she made her way across. She decided the structure was the perfect setup for an obstacle course, showing me the order she wanted to go in with the slide as the finish line.

She looped her way around her course several times, balancing on the stepping stones, pounding on the drums, hanging from a metal bar and climbing up the stairs just to whoosh down the slide. She would have been happy to spend the whole morning in this section of the park, but there was even more to explore.

The taller climbing structure, designed for ages 5–12, presents a challenge: Climb to the top for a bird’s-eye view of the park, and ring the bell to celebrate your ascent.

My daughter’s bravery surprised me as she scaled the rope ladders, pausing at each level to survey her route and plan her next steps. She gleefully discovered the bell, ringing it for the whole park to hear.

The bright green synthetic turf below offered padding, easing my worries as she climbed back down to the ground. She hopped off the play structure and took off running on the paved path around the park. The open, circular layout of the park allowed me to keep an eye on her as I caught up.

Fitness equipment for adults and teens

The park is intended for multigenerational use, which is apparent in its overall design. In addition to the two play structures, there are three fitness equipment areas for teens and adults. The variety of fitness equipment, as well as the wide spacing between sections, make this an ideal spot to get in a workout. When we arrived, there were already adults going through their morning workout routines while kids played.

Admittedly, the bright colors of these structures (and turf surfacing) appeal to the younger crowd, too, despite being designed for ages 13 and older. My daughter was curious to explore, as were the other kids at the park. I even heard one kid exclaim, “This is so exciting!” as they ran toward the fitness equipment with a ladder and variable monkey bars.

Each piece of fitness equipment includes a sticker with a QR code and workout tutorial. The ring trace skill trainer, for example, has colored rings that you can slide overhead from side to side as an abdominal exercise. As someone who hasn’t been to a gym in a decade (yikes), I appreciated the tips and tutorials for the equipment that was unfamiliar to me — from lateral pull-downs to chest presses. My daughter, on the other hand, didn’t need a tutorial for the balance beam.

There’s also a half-court and basketball hoop behind the outdoor gym equipment. You’ll want to bring a ball! My daughter looked around hopefully for one — alas, while I am skilled at packing snacks, water and a change of clothes, I rarely think to grab a basketball on my way out the door.

Space to relax and connect

While the fitness equipment and play areas have synthetic turf, the central lawn area is a grassy field, wide open and perfect for a picnic. I can see families spreading out on the lawn over the summer, soaking up the long-awaited sunshine. (Pack your sunscreen and sunglasses, though, as it will be a while before the newly planted trees provide shade.) There’s certainly enough room on the lawn for games, so bring a Frisbee. The paved circular path around the field is ideal for wheels, whether those wheels are on balance bikes, scooters, strollers or wheelchairs.

Benches spaced throughout the park offer visitors the chance to sit, rest or chat while keeping an eye on all the action. And if you prefer to have your picnic on a table, you’re in luck — there are four to choose from, two within close proximity to the playground equipment for kids who (like mine) want to play in between bites of their chicken nuggets.

Honoring Cheryl Chow

The park honors Cheryl Chow, who served on the Seattle City Council from 1990–97. She chaired the Parks and Public Grounds Committee, advocated for renovating and building recreation centers throughout the city, and worked to extend hours for after-school programs. She is highly regarded as a public servant and educator who worked closely with people in marginalized communities.

The park is a beautiful tribute to her legacy, and a welcoming space for the entire community. Throughout the park, additional details reflect how the community was involved in the planning process. Fabric designs on lampposts throughout the park represent the different cultures and heritages of the neighborhood that the park serves.

I am thrilled to see a green space in the city that will bring people together, and look forward to my next visit.