Hermann Park Playground (The Commons) — Attraction in Houston

DANGEROUS ⚠️

First of all. If you’re looking for a “splash pad” to “cool off” this is not the one for you. This is like a trickle stream if you will with a few spraying areas. There is only shade at the beginning of the area and it’s mostly covering the sand puddle so there is really no place to sit and watch your kid. This park reminds you of how the dinosaurs went extinct. Limited water and baking in the sun. I would only recommended this in the evening…but I really WOULD NOT recommend it at all and here is why.

At the beginning there is a wooden landing structure with sharp metal features that the kids climb on. ( no, I am not kidding) It’s covered in water and sand and is molding. It’s slick as snot. Then when the kids fall they hit themselves on the SHARP metal edges or even better fall in a metal bin. I saw this happen at least 8 times in the hour I was there. Also, they have these metal trays that collect water at ground deck level and the kids walk down them and fall. Again. Hitting themselves ON SHARP wooden corners. There is actually a square hole right in the middle. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen for the city. This is one of the most poorly designed playgrounds I have ever seen. Especially for being new. This was not designed by someone who had children in mind. At all. I would not recommend this for any age. As it is so dangerous ⚠️. Also, the rocks are molding and they are slippery as well. I was cringing at the parents who thought it was safe and their kids kept falling and screaming. Houston. You need to...

Very nice playground for your kiddos, the wait was worth it! The whole section of the park was closed off for renovations and revitalization projects to help make the park even more family friendly, and I believe they hit their mark. There are new walking trails, new picnic areas, covered seating sections, and a massive new playground for your kids to enjoy. There is a huge Saturn Rocket style slide in the middle of the play area flanked by various space and animal themed climbing structures. Most of the playground is covered by large sun sails, but it can still get sunny and warm (typical Houston weather). There's also a nice splash pad for kids to cool down as well. I had to kick off two stars because the metal slides will get scorching hot in the Texas sun, and since the area was made just below street level, there's barely any breeze/wind that makes it down into the play area. But with that said, we'll be coming back for years to come...

Moms do better. The play grounds are by ages. I took my 18 month old to the 6-24 months playground. And there were two older girls about 6 & 7. One of the hit another baby there smaller than my daughter. That mom end up leaving. It wasn’t until I made the comment out loud how I’m glad that they have the playground separated my age groups. She finally took the hint and left.

And at the main playground. There was a mom on her phone. Her son when down the slide next after my daughter. But if I didn’t pick her up and moved her out of the way he would have hit her. Yeah I know they are kids. But that’s a teaching moment. Remind them to wait their turn, wait for the last person to get of. If not they grow up to adult with out common courtesy.

Play grounds are great. And the bathrooms are remarkably clean. Great job by the janitorial staff. Only down side is there weren’t changing tables. At least not in the RR...