Welleby Park

Fun stops, especially on long drive days, are a must for keeping my family sane on the road. Sometimes travel days only allow for kicking a ball around at a rest stop, but when we have the time, we prefer stops along the way that feel like destinations in and of themselves. While traveling from The Florida Keys to Orlando, we decided to stop off at Welleby Park in Sunrise, FL and we were not disappointed. Based on their website, the rebuild of this park was relatively recent, and it certainly shows. Everything was bright, new, clean and well-maintained. The centerpiece of the park is “Safety Town”. They have constructed a miniature town with roads, sidewalks and tiny structures, where kids can ride their bikes, scooters, or walk, all while learning the rules of the road. There were working traffic lights and even a railroad crossing. We did not have our bikes with us for this trip, and it was unbearably hot that day, but we look forward to going back to visit when we can further explore that area.

One end of Safety Town features a railroad crossing, with pavement painted like railroad tracks that leads to the large play structure above. There was plenty of room for kids to climb, play, slide and explore.

For those of us not as acclimated to Florida in August, this area provided some much need relief from the scorching sun. Here kids had the opportunity to climb and balance on a variety of rope-based structures. There was also a slide and some bouncy ride-on options in this area. A covered picnic pavilion was nearby, and while we were there several families with smaller children were enjoying the opportunity to sit down, relax out of the sun, and have some lunch.

My oldest is obsessed with water play, so the splash pad was the highlight of this park for him. It was busy that day, but not overwhelming. He enjoyed exploring the various water features, including a water labyrinth, and playing with new friends. The one downside was that shaded areas for parents to sit and supervise were limited. I found myself circling the splash pad, chasing little bits of shade wherever I could find it. Mind you, this was a stop during a longer road trip and not our main destination for the day. Had I been preparing for a day at the park, I would have had a hat or my bathing suit on hand to help combat the heat. We did not plan to stay long, so an entire outfit change for me was not worth it. There was a pavilion adjacent to the splash pad with new, clean bathrooms and a few tables in the shade.

If you are in the area, this is a must do. We had a lot of fun and both kids would have gladly spent more time there if our travel plans allowed. Be sure to checkout our social media accounts for videos of Welleby Park.