Did you know that proximity to bodies of water can help to lower your heart rate, blood pressure and increase feelings of relaxation? Crystal Lake Park is home to a partially fenced playground on the shores of Crystal Lake so you can play and soak in some blue space. The playground is tucked into a residential neighborhood lending to nice calm vibes surrounding the area.
Crystal Lake Park Playground
You get a slide! You get a slide! Everyone gets a slide!
Crystal Lake Park’s main play structure has a whole lot of fun packed into this piece of equipment. Kiddos can climb and slide to their hearts content here. It is just the place to get into that satisfying up, down and around loop that is so satisfying to kids at play.
If you have a little one trying to keep up with the big kids, there are stairs that get them access to two of the slides. On the other side, the climbing wall is at a pretty generous angle, you never know what they can accomplish until they give it a go!
Playground’s Preschooler Structure
The smaller structure at the playground is more geared to older toddlers/preschoolers. A nice scaled-down version of the larger structure, they’ll be able to reach and practice their skills over here as a warm up for the climb to those big slides.
The Swings Lineup
What a way to calm the brain: taking a relaxing swing facing the water. There are typical swings along with an accessible swing and one bucket swing. (The bucket swing is hard to see in the picture but it is on the end by the accessible swing.)
Crystal Lake
The park & playground are right on the beach shore of Crystal Lake. We visited in cold weather so I can’t speak to the swimming situation, I just appreciate the water views all year round. It is a scientific fact that both grown-ups and children who spend time around natural bodies of water have better mental health. The calming affect of the water mixed with kid-centered play on the playground sounds like a win to me!
Heads up: If you venture down for a walk in the sand, that last step is a doozy! If you have a stroller or a wagon, you can go around through the grass to get to the sand stairs-free.
Partially Fenced
The playground’s border is fenced but there are no gates on the two openings.
Crystal Lake Park: Quick Facts
| Parking | Large paved parking lot |
| Bathroom situation | Porta-potties only |
| Fenced | Fenced but not gated |
| Groundcover | Woodchips |
| Sun exposure | Full sun |
| Features | Just the two play structures and swings. |
| Swings | Typical, Accessible and Bucket swings |
| Picnic | Covered picnic pavilion |
| Nearest bathroom | Starbucks (7 minutes) |
| Nearest resources | “Mall of NH” shopping area (8 minutes) |
| Address | 679 Bodwell Rd, Manchester, NH |
