FunKidsActivities

Ringhaver Playground

1035130000, Jacksonville, FL 32244, USA

Overview

Category:Best Outdoor Playgrounds
Location:Jacksonville, FL

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Ringhaver Playground offers a unique dual-playground experience set amidst nature, making it ideal for families seeking diverse outdoor activities beyond just slides and swings. Its standout feature is the larger, newer playground located further back, which boasts a modern 'spongy floor' for enhanced safety and comfort, alongside an older, main playground. The park provides extensive recreational opportunities including soccer fields, a baseball diamond, tennis courts, and a walking trail, complemented by pavilions perfect for picnics.

Key Highlights

  • Features two distinct playgrounds; one up front and a larger, newer one in the back.
  • The back playground includes a modern 'spongy floor' for safety and comfort.
  • Offers a variety of amenities including huge slides, swings, soccer fields, a baseball diamond, tennis courts, and a walking trail.
  • Surrounded by nature with nice pavilions suitable for picnics.
  • Both playground areas are generally considered fun for kids when well-maintained.

Standout Features

  • Two separate playgrounds, offering variety.
  • The newer, larger back playground with a spongy, impact-absorbing floor.
  • Extensive sports facilities: soccer fields, baseball diamond, tennis courts.
  • Dedicated walking trail.
  • Multiple picnic pavilions available.
  • Natural surroundings enhance the outdoor experience.

Perfect For

Suitable for a broad range of 'children' and 'kids' given the presence of huge slides and swings.
The newer, larger playground with spongy floor likely accommodates younger children well, while the diverse sports facilities cater to older kids and teens.

Ideal For

Families looking for a park with multiple activity options beyond just a playground.
Extended family outings or playdates requiring diverse entertainment (playgrounds, sports, walking).
Picnics in a natural setting.
Children who enjoy large slides and expansive play areas.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Prioritize visiting the 'back' playground by following the road back, as it is described as larger, newer, and has the spongy flooring.
  • Be prepared for potential issues with restroom cleanliness; consider bringing your own sanitizing supplies.
  • Check the status of restrooms upon arrival, especially the front one, which has been reported as locked.
  • Visit during off-peak times or earlier in the day to potentially avoid large crowds and any associated mess from prior gatherings.
  • Manage expectations regarding park maintenance; some parts may be in disrepair.

Things to Consider

  • Significant issues with cleanliness and maintenance, including 'screws hanging loose' and general disrepair reported in spring 2024.
  • Restrooms are frequently reported as 'deplorable' or 'gross', with the front restroom occasionally found locked.
  • The park can become very messy after large gatherings, with trash cans kicked over and general debris left behind.
  • The older, main playground may be in need of updating.

Price & Value

This appears to be a free public park, offering significant value given the range of amenities (two playgrounds, sports fields, walking trail, picnic areas) at no cost. However, the value is diminished by reported maintenance and cleanliness issues.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • The newer 'spongy floor' in the back playground offers improved accessibility and safety for all users, including potentially those with mobility challenges or younger children prone to falls.
  • No other specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Outside food and picnics are explicitly welcomed and encouraged, with mentions of 'nice pavilion for picnic' and 'Good place even for picnics'.

🚗Parking Info

  • Implied easy access to both park areas, with a clear instruction to 'take the road back' to reach the larger, newer playground. Ample parking is suggested by the facility's size, though not explicitly detailed.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Can be 'full of children and parents having a great day', indicating it can attract large crowds, especially on nice days.
  • Specific peak times are not detailed, but large gatherings (e.g., birthday parties) suggest high usage at times.

🛡️Safety Features

  • The newer playground features a 'spongy floor' designed to enhance safety.
  • Significant safety concerns exist due to reported 'screws hanging loose' and general disrepair in other areas of the playground.

When to Avoid

  • If pristine, perfectly maintained facilities are a top priority.
  • Immediately after weekend events or birthday parties, due to reported cleanliness issues.
  • If reliable, clean public restrooms are essential, as they are a significant point of concern.
  • Relying solely on the front playground's amenities, as its restroom may be locked and the playground itself is older.

Pricing/Package/Events

Pricing & Packages

Club Rec After School Program

No charge

Duration: August 11, 2025 - May 22, 2026 (coincides with Duval County Public Schools Calendar)

An exciting and energizing after school program providing opportunities for youth to participate in group activities.

Includes:
  • crafts
  • games
  • recreational sports
  • special events
  • homework assistance
Ages: 6 - 12 years old

Teen Warehouse After School Program

No charge (Special events and outings may require a fee)

Duration: August 11, 2025 - May 22, 2026 (coincides with Duval County Public Schools Calendar)

An exciting and motivating program for middle and high school students.

Includes:
  • arts
  • community outings
  • games
  • study time
  • sports
  • individualized programs
Ages: 13 - 18 years old

Events & Schedule

Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)

JaxParks Community Partner - Center of Hope Boots on the Ground Pink Party

October 01, 2025

Not explicitly stated (likely free, consistent with other JaxParks offerings)

An evening of food, games and testimonials, kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Free JaxParks Events All Summer Long

All Summer

Free

Offers free fitness, art, music, and family fun activities across JaxParks. Registration is required to check availability.

FREE happenings in and around downtown Jacksonville

Ongoing

FREE

Variety of events including fitness programs, live jazz and DJ nights, silent discos, photo walks, art in the park, Latin dance classes, movie nights, and more.

🍎Food Policy

  • Food is mentioned for the 'Center of Hope Boots on the Ground Pink Party', but no general policy for outside food at playgrounds/parks is provided.

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Cleanup Safety Tips are mentioned for volunteer programs ('Clean It Up, Green It Up') but no general playground safety rules are specified.

📅Booking Policy

  • Registration for Club Rec and Teen Warehouse programs is required via provided links.
  • Registration for free summer JaxParks events is required via jaxparks.coj.net.

🚗Parking Information

  • Disabled Parking Citations and Permits mentioned, indicating parking is available; however, general parking details are not provided for specific parks/playgrounds.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 29, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
  • Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 2 reviews)
  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 4 reviews)

Areas for Improvement

  • Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Marc Ward

Marc Ward

3 months ago

Amazing park with huge slides and swings for children. Also surrounded by nature with a nice pavilion for picnic! A must try if you enjoy parks!

Nitesh Vic Patel - REALTOR

Nitesh Vic Patel - REALTOR

a week ago

2 parks. One up front and the other way in the back. They both are fun for kids. The one in the back is a lot bigger and seems newer with that spongy floor 😲. Just take the road back. Both have restrooms but the one up front was locked when I tried last . . 😢 Good place even for picnics.

Melissa Shoemaker

Melissa Shoemaker

a year ago

I visited this park on March 15th. It was brand new and beautiful. The park was full of children and parents having a great day. Today April 21st the park had been destroyed. I'm very disgusted and disappointed in the treatment of a brand new park. It is apparent that a birthday party had taken place yesterday and a huge mess was left. The damage to the playground itself doesn't appear to have happened overnight but has happened since my last visit. What happened to "don't trash Jacksonville" or "keep Jacksonville beautiful" ??

Lauren Turner

Lauren Turner

a year ago

Came for the playground. Another parent told me it was new as of the beginning of 2024 but many parts are already in disrepair and have screws hanging loose. The day we came there was kicked over trash cans and the bathrooms were deplorable.

Lady Grimes

Lady Grimes

6 years ago

Love this park. Two playgrounds, soccer fields, baseball diamond, walking trail, tennis courts. Yes, the main playground could use some up dating. And the bathrooms are gross. But for Jacksonville's westside it's not that bad.

Contact Information

1035130000, Jacksonville, FL 32244, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.2
Total Reviews43
Recent Reviews5