Can-Do Playground
A fully accessible playground designed for every child — one of the best in the state.
The Quick Version
- • Fully accessible playground designed for children of all abilities — physical, mental, and sensory.
- • Located inside Alapocas Run State Park with trail connections, ball fields, and a nature trail.
- • Sand play area, toddler section, ninja fitness course, and plenty of shade.
- • Free entry. State park vehicle fee applies ($5 DE residents, $10 out of state, Mar–Nov only) — walk-in and bike-in are always free.
Best Ages
All ages
Plan For
1-2 hours
Adults
Free (park vehicle fee: $5 DE / $10 non-DE, Mar-Nov only)
Kids
Free
What to Expect
Can-Do Playground is the playground other playgrounds wish they were. Designed from the ground up to be accessible to every child regardless of ability, it delivers on that mission without feeling clinical or institutional — it just feels like a really, really good playground.
The main play structures include climbing elements, slides, bridges, and sensory panels at varying heights and challenge levels. There's a dedicated toddler area that's well-separated from the big-kid action, a sand play area, and a ninja fitness course that will exhaust any kid with energy to burn.
What makes it special beyond the equipment: the setting. It sits inside Alapocas Run State Park, surrounded by trees, connected to the Storybook Trail (a short nature walk with children's book pages posted along the path), and adjacent to ball fields for soccer, lacrosse, and other sports. You can easily make this a half-day trip.
The infrastructure is unusually good for a playground. Clean bathrooms with changing tables. A water bottle fill station. A little free library. A bike pump station. Picnic tables in the shade. It feels like someone actually thought about what parents need, not just kids.
Who It's Best For
The toddler area is well-separated and shaded. The main playground structures work for ages 2-10. The ninja fitness course challenges older kids (6+). Even babies enjoy the sensory elements and shade.
Highlights
The Playground Itself
Ages 2-10Multiple play structures designed for all abilities. Climbing, sliding, spinning, sensory panels. The rubber surface is wheelchair-accessible throughout.
Toddler Area
Under 3A separate, smaller play area with age-appropriate equipment. Lower structures, gentler slopes, enclosed enough that runners can't bolt too far.
Ninja Fitness Course
Ages 6+A challenging obstacle/fitness course near the main playground. Monkey bars, balance beams, climbing structures. Great for burning off energy.
Sand Play Area
Ages 1-6A proper sand play section with diggers and tools. Bring sand toys or use what's there.
Storybook Trail
Ages 2-7A short nature trail with pages from a children's book posted along the path. Gentle walk, stroller-friendly, shaded. Changes seasonally.
Ball Fields & Open Space
All agesSoccer and lacrosse fields adjacent to the playground. Bring a ball and let kids run. Also great for kite-flying when it's windy.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
Free (park vehicle fee: $5 DE / $10 non-DE, Mar-Nov only)
Kids
Free
Under
Free
Walk-in and bike-in access is always free. Vehicle fee only applies if you drive in (March 1 through November 30). Free entry December through February. Library card holders can reserve a free day pass online.
Membership tip: A Delaware State Parks annual pass ($50 DE residents) pays for itself in a few visits across all state parks.
Getting There
Parking
Large paved parking lot right next to the playground. Easy in, easy out.
The main lot fills on sunny weekend mornings. If it's full, there's overflow parking near the ball fields a short walk away.
Entrance
Walk straight from the parking lot — the playground is visible immediately.
Parent Logistics
Paved paths throughout. The playground surface is rubber/accessible matting. Strollers roll easily everywhere.
Clean, well-maintained restrooms right at the playground. Some of the best park bathrooms in Delaware.
Available in the restrooms.
Good shade coverage throughout the playground from mature trees and shade structures. One of the better-shaded playgrounds in the area.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No food vendors. There are picnic tables near the playground.
Snack strategy: Pack snacks and drinks. There's a water bottle filling station at the playground. Nearest food is on Kennett Pike (5 minutes) — Janssen's Market, restaurants at Greenville.
Pro Tips
- ✓ The little free library near the entrance is well-stocked. Grab a book for a shady bench break.
- ✓ Bring sand toys — the sand area is a hit but there aren't always communal toys available.
- ✓ The bike pump station is a nice touch if you're biking in via the Northern Delaware Greenway trail.
- ✓ The water bottle fill station is near the bathrooms. Bring reusable bottles.
- ✓ On hot days, the shade structures and mature trees keep the equipment cooler than most playgrounds. Still check the slides before kids go down.
- ✓ If you want to extend the visit, walk the Storybook Trail first (10-15 minutes), then hit the playground. Helps set a calmer pace.
- ✓ The park connects to the Northern Delaware Greenway trail system — you can bike here from Brandywine Park or Rockford Park.
- ✓ Combine with Nemours Estate (2-minute drive) for a full day — gardens first, playground after.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings are quietest. Weekend mornings before 11 AM beat the crowd.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round, 8 AM to sunset. Free entry December through February (no vehicle fee). Gets busy on nice-weather weekends. The shade keeps it usable even on hot summer days.
Rainy Day?
This is an outdoor playground — skip it in rain. Head to the Delaware Children's Museum (15 minutes) or the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science (10 minutes) instead.
While You're in the Area
Nemours Estate is literally next door (2-minute drive) — do the gardens, then come here for playground time. Delaware Art Museum is 5 minutes away. Trolley Square has kid-friendly lunch spots.
Upcoming Events
Verified against the venue’s official info.
Last reviewed May 20, 2026. Prices re-checked May 13, 2026. Confirm anything dated (admission, hours, special events) on the venue’s own site before you drive.
Sources: destateparks.com , destateparks.com