Common Ground Playground — Attraction in Lakeland

What an amazing place! I wish I found it sooner. What little bit of this playground/park you can see from the road does absolutely no justice for this amazing (and quite large) family tot spot. I drove past this park many times over the past couple years and thought it looked like your ordinary mediocre community/neighborhood playground. What you see is what you get kind of ordinary place. Boy could I be more wrong! A friend actually convinced me stop by one afternoon. I parked in the small lower lot and walked up to a small gate. I then noticed the park was fenced in. You didn't notice right away because ivy and some vegetation had grown around the fence line giving the appearance of a magical kingdom hiding behind those leafy walls. It was fitting for what I was about to see. I opened the latched gate and walked in. As I started following this path I begin to notice this park was much larger than could be seen from the road. In fact it was huge. I was in awe of the beauty of this park. It was Extraordinarily Breath Taking! It was high quality, and well engineered with Every childs need in mind. There are several small playgrounds that make up this huge play park. It's amazing. Every play area has its own name (of each area) and color (represents ideal age and/or skill level of said name) Though each is separated by a small distance, they are all in the same area surrounded by fencing connecting them all together by a few feet of grass and/or an activity making it appear to be one large park. Each section is named and a color is given to help navigate parents to the area best suited for their child(ren)s needs. The grass, turf, rubber and sand used throughout the equipment is soft enough for kids to play on and crawl/roll around with out getting hurt. It also provides a softer impact to cushion any falls. This place is not your typical slides and swings kind of place. While those are available (including swings equipped for handicap, special need, babies, and others who may need non standard or custom equipment to use) this park specialises in developmental activities to help kids learn and have fun doing it. They have a lot of equipment to interact with that makes music sounds and other things that are small hands on fine motor skill type activities. They have stepping stones, balancing and climbing activities and other gross motor skill types of activities. A lot of color, shapes and different types of visual and textual art. Some of the harder activities are challenging and can help build a childs confidence. There is something for EVERYONE here. Any child, age, health or size. This park has thought of pretty much every scenario to allow every child an opportunity to learn and play regardless of situation or possible limitations. It's the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I was teary eyed and speechless to see there is so much more to this park than meets the eye. Some may only see a common playground but it is so much more than that. The designers and engineers have created the largest Early Intervention Therapy play that allow parents like myself some of the tools needed to allow my child to be herself worry free and have fun interacting with other kids. Some even sharing the same/similar conditions,disabilities, delays and/or other special needs. I saw similar activities used in the EI program. It's also comforting to know we as parents are not alone. We want what's best for our children and for them to be happy in a safe environment. This place will put a smile on their faces for sure. It is a blessing to see so many children from all walks of life to be in one place together. So sweet and innocent. Making new friends, sharing smiles and laughter. No one feel uncomfortable or out of place. That day, at that park, every child felt nothing but joy, happiness and a freedom to be their wonderful little selves. They were care free and safe. Growing in more ways than one. A very positive experience. It made my day and I think it will make yours too. I guarantee you will not be...

A playground of Pure Imagination!

I can’t rave enough about our recent visit to Common Ground Playground! We stopped at Lakeland while my husband was doing some work there and was looking for something to do and we found this Gem! From the moment we arrived, my kids were captivated by the colorful structures and imaginative designs that beckoned them to explore. This whimsical wonderland is truly a paradise for children of all ages. We even made a stop on the way back home to Lakeland just so we can visit the park again. My kids were literally leaving the park singing Willy Wonka’s Pure Imagination. lol.

The playground features an incredible variety of play areas, from climbing towers and slides to sensory gardens and interactive installations. My youngest was mesmerized by the vibrant splash pads, while my older kids found endless excitement in the challenging climbing walls and tunnels! There’s something for everyone, ensuring that no one gets bored!

What impressed me the most was the attention to detail in every corner. The playful themes, creative art installations, and safe, soft surfaces made it a joy for both kids and parents. I also appreciated the seating areas scattered throughout, allowing us to relax while keeping an eye on the little adventurers.

The entire experience was filled with laughter and joy, and it was heartwarming to see my children making new friends. We left with smiles on our faces and kinda sad we don’t live in Lakeland. If you’re looking for a magical place where kids can run wild and let their imaginations soar, Common Ground is...

It started as “just another Saturday morning,” but my kids had other plans—big ones. They’d heard whispers from friends at school about a magical place called Common Ground Playground. So, coffee in hand, I loaded everyone into the car, not fully prepared for what we were about to discover.

From the moment we pulled up, I could tell this wasn’t an ordinary playground. The colors popped, the space felt alive, and laughter carried on the breeze like music. My little one made a beeline for the swings, while my oldest stopped in awe at the climbing structures that looked like something straight out of an adventure book. Even I couldn’t help but smile—it was a rare sight to see a place designed with all kids in mind.

What impressed me most was the inclusivity. Every path, ramp, and play zone made it clear this playground was built so no child feels left out. Whether running, rolling, climbing, or sliding—there’s a spot for everyone. I found myself grateful that our community has something so intentional and beautiful, a place where differences disappear and kids find common ground (pun totally intended).

We stayed far longer than planned—snacks were shared, new friends were made, and my kids asked the inevitable question on the way out: “Can we come back tomorrow?”

This isn’t just a playground—it’s an experience, a memory-maker, and a reminder of what community really means. If you’re looking for a spot where joy is contagious and inclusion is the rule, not the exception, Common Ground...