Barrows Park, running along Summer Creek in Beaverton, offers two playgrounds and plenty of picnic tables and is the southernmost entry point for the Southwest Regional Trail.

To park closest to the Barrows Park playground, you’ll want to park along SW Menlor Lane, near the park sign. A paved path goes both directions, on both sides of the street, but the playground is on the same side of the street as the park sign. You also should be able to see the playground from there.

Before you get to the playground you’ll run into the four cement animal structures that watch over the park, a fish, turtle, frog, and what we believe to be a dragon, although the park's website states it’s actually a camel. They are fun to sit and climb on, jump off of, or as my kids like to do, “feed” them leaves and grass.

The park has two separate playgrounds, one for older kids, which is two structures connected by monkey bars, with a couple of slides, some climbing features, and more. Then the younger kids playground is just a bit further down the trail boasting a bug climber, a steering wheel, and another slide. Then there’s two more slides side by side, situated by themselves on an incline, yet it wasn't too steep for my 1-year old to go on by herself. All of this is on top of rubber flooring creating a soft, durable play area as well as a safer landing space as it’s shock absorbent. There are picnic tables and benches scattered throughout the area, with some grassy sections on both sides of the path. There's also an area of Summer Creek that opens up into more of a pond below. Some of this area is fenced off with revegetation signs and other spots are open so best to keep an eye on young kids if you’re checking this part out. There are some dirt trails leading behind the bushes and somewhat closer to the creek, but it’s hard to tell if these are official trails or not.

There are no bathrooms and since it seems to be a popular dog walking spot, watch for dog poop both on the trail and in the grass. This park also opens up to some neighborhoods and parallels SW Barrows Rd. which consists of faster drivers, so best to stay closer to younger kids and watch that they don’t wander towards the road.

This paved path is part of the Southwest Regional Trail that follows the powerline all the way to Tualatin Hills Nature Park and would make a great family bike ride adventure. Also Progress Ridge Town Square is across the street and within walking distance, so it would be fun to get lunch out and then walk over to the park afterwards.