Opened in 2019, the colorful Watsessing playground is the first park in Essex County developed for children of all physical and developmental abilities.

This fully gated playground is built on a rubber surface and has various sections throughout. In the back is a music area with a large xylophone and drums, and an oddly placed but fun to climb in, igloo. The music area is shaded by a tent and has water misters for hot days.

Swings run along the side of the playground next to the music area and a newly built (in 2021) wheelchair-accessible swing, and a wheelchair-accessible carousel are here too. Next to them, is a Preschool play area made to look like a Farmer’s Market with ordering/serving windows, and stairs made out of vegetable shapes. There are two small tunnels to climb through and a little slide.

The main jungle gym play area is suited for 5-12-year-olds with big slides, various climbing, and obstacle activities. The ramps of the jungle gym are all wide with gradual slopes for wheelchair access to much of the higher areas. The playground also features a lot of sensory equipment like a rainbow maker, Kaleidoscope, and one of our favorites, the roller slide (a slide with angled steel rollers for a bumpy trip to the bottom). Another fun attraction is a large globe that spins and has ropes like a spider web to climb.

Just outside of the playground is a shelter with several picnic tables if you bring lunch or a snack with you. There’s also some paved paths where kids can tricycles and scooters. A portable toilet is set up near the parking lot.