Merritt Park

Merritt Park is a neighborhood square with community center, hockey rink, baseball field, basketball court, and playground.  I believe this is technically in the Denfeld neighborhood and the surrounding streets are busier than some parks.
The playground is a sand surface with a rubber mat surface leading up to the accessible swing.
Other features include:

• 1 baby swing
• 2 swings
• 1 accessible swing
• 1 double slide and 1 slide
• Speaking tubes
• Ladders/stairs
• Monkey bars
• Rubber flap bridge
• Pull-up bar
• Track glider
• Balance beam

Duluth Parks page

Blackmer Park

Blackmer Park is pleasantly shaded by large trees, right off the St Louis River in Morgan Park.  There is a softball field nearby and a path that leads to train tracks and the river.  On the day we visited, there was a lot of broken glass at the beginning of the path but as you moved toward the river, there was none.

The playground is a sand surface and has:

• Monkey bars
• Pull-up bar
• 1 slide and 1 double slide
• Speaking tube
• Digger
• Rubber flap bridge
• Tic-tac-toe
• Ball maze
• Steering wheel
• Balance beam
• Track glider
• 2 swings
• 2 very low baby swings

Duluth Parks page

Cascade Park

This playground is located in the middle of a residential area on a rather steep part of the hill. It used to contain a waterfall with a gazebo, but the waterfall has since been routed underground.  You can still go up in a gazebo and get a great view of the harbor.

The playground is a sand surface and contains:

• 2 swings
• 2 baby swings
• 3 slides
• Monkey bars
• Digger
• Speaking tubes
• Wobbly steps
• Balance beam
• Steering wheel
• Corkscrew
• Pull-up bar
  
  
  
  

Duluth Parks page

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is a beautifully wooded area that follows the Miller Creek downhill from Piedmont to the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  It is surrounded by housing on several sides with paths and sidewalks going off in many directions.

The playground is not fenced and it is right next to the road that goes through the park.  The road is solely for the park, so it is not busy, but it is a road nonetheless.  Across the road is a bridge over the Miller Creek to a field and closed off structure.  The creek is not very blocked off, so younger children will need close supervision.  We did not find any porta-potties or restrooms.

The park has a disc golf course, a pavilion, and plenty of paved and unpaved walking paths.

The playground is a sand surface with two separate areas, one for older children and one for younger.  When we visited, there were several abandoned sweatshirts and food wrappers throughout the playground area.

EDIT: I just read an article that Lincoln Park will be going through a major renovation to improve safety and access to natural elements!  http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4061878-plans-improve-lincoln-park-get-boost-vikings-us-bank

The larger structure is one of the most varied we have come across.  It has:

• 2 slides and 1 double slide
• Track glider
• Monkey bars of several varieties
• Ladders and steps
• Wobbly balance beam
• Fireman pole
• 4 swings
• 2 baby swings

The other section is intended for toddlers.  It is a cute little house with a picnic table inside and also includes a steering wheel, tunnel, and two bouncy animals to ride on.

Duluth Parks page