Norton Park

Norton Park is tucked in on a dead end street in the Norton Park neighborhood of West Duluth.  There is a community center and baseball field, basketball court, picnic table, and large trees to one side.

The playground has a coarse sand surface (almost like gravel is mixed in) and:

• 2 baby swings
• 2 swings
• 2 bouncy riders
• See-saw
• Ladders (NO stairs, but my two year old could make it up one of the ladders)
• Monkey bars
• Double slide
• Swirly slide
• Tunnel
• Corkscrew
• Fireman pole

Duluth Parks page

Portman Park

This square is made up of a community center, hockey rinks, basketball courts, and baseball diamond in addition to the playground.  There is a hill to roll down and mature trees throughout.  There was no potty that we could see, but there may be one in the community center when it is open.
There are two areas of the playground.

A small area has a rocky/sandy surface and is closer to the road, featuring:

• 2 baby swings
• See-saw
• 2 bouncy riders

The larger area is a sand surface with:

• 1 slide
• 1 double slide
• Monkey bars
• Rock climbing wall
• Bridge
• Ladders and stairs
• Stepping stones
• 2 swings
• Pull up bar

Duluth Parks page

Morley Park

Morley Park is a square in a residential area with the playground area taking up half the square and the other side filled with grass and small trees.  The streets are rather low traffic and there is a decent distance from playground to street.  It is a wood chip surface and has benches and a picnic table.  There was no porta-potty when we visited.
The park is quite far up the hill and has no large trees so it gets a good amount of sun.  We like to visit on cooler days when the ample sunshine will help keep us warm.

Some features:

• Tire swing
• 2 baby swings
• 2 swings
• 2 bouncy riders
• Rock wall structure with "grill" in the middle (standing platform made up of metal bars)

There is a little structure off to one side of the playground for smaller kids with:

• Steps and ladder
• Corkscrew
• Slide

The large playground structure is almost an L-shape and features: 

• 3 slides
• Monkey bars
• Spinning oval
• Climbing wall with holds
• Ladders and steps
• Built in picnic table and benches

Duluth Parks page

Central Hillside Park

Central Hillside is a playground we didn't even realize existed until we had lived in Duluth for over a year because it is tucked into a hill right downtown behind the old Central High School.  It is next to a community center that is home to the One Roof Housing offices, occupied during the workweek.  There are several basketball courts downhill from the playground and a bit of litter surrounding the area.

In the front of the building is an older area that is designed for babies and toddlers.  You cannot see this area from the older playground.  It has a sand/dirt surface along with:

• 2 very low baby swings
• Digger
• 2 bouncy riders

The opposite side of the building showcases a really neat playground unlike others we have encountered in Duluth.   It has a wood chip surface along with:

• Huge jungle gym structure filled with varying sizes of ropes, netting, platforms, and bridges. 
• Curved swinging platform
• Spinning hoop that I'm guessing is for walking on but could also be used like a merry go round.

The area is hard to see from the road, making me wonder about those who may frequent it in the evening hours, but on a Sunday morning it was empty and a lot of fun.

Duluth Parks page

Playfront Park

Playfront is easily the most popular playground in Duluth.  It is located right off Interstate 35 between the downtown area (library and Depot, specifically), the Great Lakes Aquarium, and the Decc/Amsoil Arena.  Is is connected to the Bayfront Festival grounds and has a bathroom facility and recreation equipment rental area.  There is a good amount of parking that has a two hour limit and I have never found it full (barring an event at Bayfront).
Parking is on two sides and there are paths on the other sides.  Roads are far enough to not be worrisome, but some adventurous toddlers do like to take off on the paths....ahem....

The surface is recycled rubber tire chips which is a controversial material among some parents for fears of toxicity and off-gassing and it's worrisome when little ones inevitably put it in their mouths.  There is also rubber mat surface in select areas (under one tire swing, near the toddler area, and by some of the stepping stones.

Some features of the playground:

• 2 tire swings
• 4 baby swings (on different side of the park from regular swings)
• 5 swings
• 1 accessible swing
• 2 bouncy riders
• Pavilion in center of playground

The area designed for older children has:

• X-Wave 2
• Monkey bars
• Wobbly steps
• Netting to climb
• Hoops to climb through
• Rock wall structure
• Stepping stones

The area for younger children is a ship that features:

• Speaking tubes
• 2 slides
• Ladders and steps
• Periscope
• 4 steering wheels

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