Hillside Park Playground
For a parent planning a trip, Hillside Park in Newark is a standout "hidden gem" that feels more like a nature-integrated adventure course than a standard plastic playground. Built on the former site of the University of Delaware's Rodney dorms, it offers a modern, high-energy experience centered around a massive rope climbing structure and a 24-foot tunnel slide.
1. Quick Decision Summary (Go / No-Go)
• Best age groups: 5–12 years (Older kids will thrive; toddlers have a dedicated natural area but may struggle with the main structures).
• Fully fenced? No. There is no enclosure separating the play areas from the nearby street or the pond.
• Shade rating (1–5): 3. While the main playground is largely exposed, mature trees provide natural shade for the "natural play area" and there are two pavilions.
• Bathrooms: Public restrooms are listed, but visitors frequently report that only a porta-potty is available near the entrance.
• Parking: Ample street parking on Forest Lane (watch for 2-hour limits) and a small lot at the end of the road.
• Accessibility: The park is wheelchair accessible with paved paths and a rubberized playground surface.
• Surface type: Poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing and natural mulch.
• Overall recommendation: A "must-visit" for high-energy kids who love to climb, but requires high supervision for "runners" due to the lack of a fence and proximity to water.
2. Play Areas
The playground is divided into two distinct sections, each offering a different type of engagement:
• Big Kid Area (Main Structure): This is the park's centerpiece, featuring a massive, leaf-shaped rubber surface. It holds a towering rope-climbing web and multiple smaller rope courses.
• Slides: The main attraction is the 24-foot-tall blue tunnel slide, which requires a climb through the rope network to reach. Two smaller "hillside slides" are built into a mound for younger children.
• Toddler & Natural Area: Located slightly beyond the main structure, this area uses mature trees as anchors for a lower-level rope obstacle course and a giant "spider web".
• Sensory & Adaptive Equipment: Includes musical toys, a ground-level spinner bowl, and various activity play panels.
• Swings: Standard swings are available near the main structure.
• Unique features: The entire park was designed with a nature theme, including a "hammock" for relaxing and unique topography where slides follow the natural slope of the land.
3. Facilities & Parent Essentials
• Bathrooms: Located near the entrance; however, changing tables are not consistently available, and some visitors note the permanent building may be locked, leaving only porta-potties.
• Water fountains: Typically available during warmer months near the pavilions.
• Benches & Picnic Tables: Plenty of seating is scattered around the perimeter, including kid-sized picnic tables.
• Pavilions: Two large pavilions are available for shade and group gatherings.
• Walking paths: A paved, 0.25-mile loop surrounds the pond, perfect for strollers, bikes, or scooters.
• Stroller friendliness: Very high; paved paths lead directly from the parking areas to the play structures.
4. Know Before You Go
• Visibility from Benches: Excellent for the main playground, but the natural play area is tucked under trees and may require you to follow your child.
• Busy Days/Times: Weekends and Friday evenings are peak times. Weekdays are typically very quiet.
• Safety Concerns: The catch-and-release pond is beautiful but is not fenced off from the playground; keep a close eye on younger children.
• Shade throughout the day: The main blue slide can get hot in direct afternoon sun. The natural play area remains cooler thanks to its tree canopy.
• Mud or Puddles: The rubber surface drains well, but the natural play area uses mulch and can get muddy after a heavy rain.
5. Beyond the Playground
The 7-acre park is designed for more than just sliding:
• Fishing: A catch-and-release pond features a dedicated fishing pier.
• Wildflowers & Nature: The park features native plantings and a "stormwater management" design that serves as an educational opportunity for kids.
• Biking: The paved perimeter path is popular for children learning to ride bikes.
• Picnicking: The combination of pavilions and open lawn space makes this one of the better local spots for a park lunch.
6. Parent Pro Tips
• Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning on a weekday offers the most "natural" experience with minimal crowds.
• Hidden Gems: Check the "natural" area first; many visitors stay at the big blue slide and miss the cool spider-web climber tucked under the trees.
• Nearby Food: You are minutes from Main Street Newark. For a local treat, visit the UDairy Creamery for ice cream made right on the University of Delaware campus.
• Pro Tip: If your child is sensitive to heights or loud tunnel slides, start with the hillside slides first to build their confidence before tackling the 24-footer.