In the heart of Chehalis, at the edge of the Cascade neighborhood, is a destination not to be missed by visitors and a beloved place for residents. The wonderful park dubbed Penny Playground at Recreation Park is a place of inclusion and fun. Within its 12 acres, there are countless opportunities for gathering with family and friends, finding community among neighbors and enjoying something for everyone to enjoy.
A Place of Inclusion at Penny Playground
Those of an older generation remember Recreation Park’s colorful animal-themed playground with horse swings, an elephant slide and a merry-go-round in the mid-1950s when the community built the park. Now, as the only ADA-accessible playground in the area, Penny Playground’s recent upgrades from the nostalgic wooden castle structure that was built in the 90s are designed for kids of all abilities. The evolution of the park is a testament to the community and supporting organizations recognizing the changing needs of children and families living in and visiting Chehalis.

The play area is a highlight of the park, featuring colorful wheelchair-accessible toys, swings, and more. Sensory areas offer kids who are neurodivergent a spot for tactile stimulation. Zooming down the zip lines, slipping down the slides and running up the ramps is a delightful way for kiddos to express their energy and find new friends.
Parents and caregivers enjoy the improved safety at Penny Playground. Fences help corral excited kids nearby, and the hillside offers excellent visibility to keep an eye on the fun. Paved walkways, level play surfaces and areas with shade create a comfortable and secure space for all.

Penny Playground Offers Swimming, Sports and More
Generations of Chehalians have spent countless hours playing at Penny Playground, swimming in the only community pool in the city and playing ball in the grassy fields. With the recent upgrades to the playground, Shaw Aquatic Center, spray park, and ball fields, many more families will create memories in this green space for years to come.
In the summer, the pool is the place to be on a hot summer day. With fun slides, no entry areas, water toys for the little kids and space for parents to supervise the fun, the Gail and Carolyn Shaw Aquatic Center offers somewhere safe to cool off in the heat.
Adjacent to the pool is the Chet and Henrietta Rhodes Kiddy Spray Park. Built in 2007, the spray pad replaced a kiddie pool and offers yet again a more inclusive space easily used by all abilities. Free for use when the weather is nice, it’s a place of laughter and fun where water sprays from the ground to the delight of youngsters.

More improvements to Penny Playground came in the form of the Chehalis Sports Complex. With four beautiful ballfields featuring turf infields and grass outfields, it’s a place where baseball and softball players and teams can access first-class facilities. Many local and out-of-town families find themselves here on weekends during the spring and summer months, making memories and watching their kid’s teams play ball on the fabulous fields that were once only grass.
Covered picnic areas throughout the park offer a place for a family lunch, birthday parties and other festivities. On any sunny day, many tables are used as a place for parents to watch their kids play, offering snacks and drinks when they need a break from all the fun.

Community Connections at Penny Playground
The added value of Penny Playground goes beyond play and fun, with buildings available for community use. Countless weddings, birthdays, reunions, club meetings and other celebrations have taken place at the V.R. Lee Community Building and Fred Hess Kitchen, and many more will happen in the future.
The walkable nature of the neighborhoods surrounding Penny Playground creates a sense of community. As a gathering spot for families, community groups and visitors, the sound of pure joy is heard when in the vicinity of the park, pool area, ball fields and community buildings. It’s a playful place in Chehalis filled with traditions and a rich history, and it is a hub of fun for all.
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Penny Playground at Recreation Park
1225 SW Williams Avenue, Chehalis
Open from dawn to dusk
Sponsored