1000 Hands Playground Sawyer Point Highlights

• Large, steamboat-themed playground located along the Ohio River front
• Built for children of all abilities and is wheelchair accessible
• Lots of shade due to its location under a bridge
• 8 swings, including an ADA swing and tire swing
• Has a rock wall with a cool mural of downtown
• Best for kids ages 2-12

Overview

1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground is located at Sawyer Point, along the Ohio River front. There is another, more well-known, 1000 Hands Playground located in Pleasant Ridge. This playground is located directly under the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (aka the yellow “Big Mac Bridge”), between the sand volleyball court and Sawyer Point Park.

The playground is mostly fenced and is easily accessed by the main entrance across from the sand volleyball court. There is a second entrance along the side of the playground closest to the access road. The ground is solid surface throughout and the playground is built from composite wood. There are many different levels and interactive features throughout this park to keep kids of all ages busy for at least an hour or two. If you need a snack break, you can find plenty of picnic tables along the side of the playground closest to the volleyball court.

The playground

There is a lot to take in when you first enter 1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point. To the left are monkey bar-type features, and beyond that is a ramp that goes up and around to the back of the playground. To your right is a separate area with an interactive roads sand table and musical toys. Next is the first set of swings, then the little playhouse, second entrance, and another ramp leading to the back of the playground. In the center is a giant playground structure with many different tunnels, ramps, stairs, and slides.

Walk a little further in to see the main steamboat playground structure in all its glory. Steamboat touches can be found throughout the playground. Very fitting, I think, given the playground’s location next to the Ohio River.

The steamboat play structure is teeming with nooks and crannies to explore. It can be accessed by one of two playground ramps or the many different types of stairs and ladders throughout. There are two slides – one at each end of the playground. Some of the interactive features on the playground include a giant steamboat steering wheel and a tic-tac-toe board. One of my favorite features is the little rock wall with a mural of downtown Cincinnati.

Swings

There are 8 swings total at 1000 Hands Playground Sawyer Point. Four regular swings can be found not far from the main playground entrance. The other set of swings is in the back area of the playground. Here you will find two bucket seats, one ADA swing, and a tire swing.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms are in their own little building located under the bridge but closer to the river. The doors to the individual bathrooms face the river (away from the playground), and are on their own little path. It’s about a minute walk from the playground to the bathrooms.

Parking

There are several parking lots along Pete Rose Way. The parking lot at Sawyer Point is closest to 1000 Hands Playground, but it does have a parking fee. Free parking is available further down, such as at International Friendship Park, but it’s a bit of a walk to the playground from there.

The not so greats

Not fully fenced. While 1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point is mostly fenced, it’s important to be aware that this playground is not completely fenced in. The main playground entrance (facing the sand volleyball court) does not have a gate, but there is a bit of an entryway that makes this spot more manageable.

The spot to be aware of is the secondary entrance along the side of the playground closest to the access road. This entrance is a bit deceiving because it doesn’t look like a way out at first glance, but you can exit the playground via the little playhouse and the ramp next to it. It exits out to the access road and then a parking lot.

Not the cleanest. While I wouldn’t consider any playground to be clean, 1000 Hands Playground is one of the least clean of the playgrounds we frequent. Although the ground is solid surface, this is not the playground I would take a crawling baby. To be clear, this playground is far from filthy, but we do sometimes find trash throughout and the whole area could use a good hose down. Because of it’s location under a bridge, it doesn’t receive a lot of rain that would normally wash away dirt, sand, pollen and the like that has built up on the playground.

No good vantage point. Because 1000 Hands Playground Sawyer Point is so big and has so many levels, it can be tricky to keep up with your kids as they run and play. This is not a playground where you can stand in one spot and have eyes on the little ones the entire time. 

Highlights

• Just opened in August 2021
• Designed with input from local children and accessibility experts
• One of the larger playgrounds for babies and young toddlers
• Cool features include a large climbable butterfly, a ground-level accessible merry-go-round, two playhouses, and a zip line.

Overview

The PNC Grow Up Great® Playground at Inwood Park was designed with inspiration from local children and input from accessibility experts. This playground, reopened in August 2021, features a large playground for little kids, a ground-level accessible merry-go-round, a playground and zip line for bigger kids, and a variety of swings.

The playground is a short walk from the parking lot, just past the picnic shelter with plenty of tables. First is the little kid playground with artificial turf. Here you will find the merry-go-round and playhouses. At the back edge of this area is a small hill to separate the little kid and big kid areas. The big kid playground is distinguished with mulch ground covering and features a large climbing structure, zip line, and swings.

There is not a fence, though the sidewalk goes around the outside of the playground with a few benches throughout. Also, a heads up about the potty situation – there is no bathroom onsite at the playground. The only bathroom in the park is a bit of a hike from the playground.

How to get there and where to park

Directions from a GPS will take you to the lower part of Inwood Park. To reach this playground and adjoining parking lot, you want to go to the part of the park off of Wellington Place. Use the directions from the dropped pin and guide below to navigate to the correct spot.

Turn down Wellington Place from Auburn Avenue. You will see sign for Inwood Park on the corner. There is a new apartment complex on your left. Shortly after the road changes from brick pavers back to pavement, you will see a traffic circle ahead and a small parking lot to your left before the circle. Park in that parking lot and the playground is a few steps away.

Little kid playground

Inwood Park has one of the best playgrounds for young toddlers and children who are still crawling. There is a large variety of things to do for the littlest littles, while also still fun for older toddlers and preschoolers. This area has artificial turf covering the ground and each structure is spaced out enough to provide a clear view throughout the playground. It is not fenced in, but a small artificial hill covered in turf separates this area from the big kid playground.

First, you will see a solid surface race strip with two lanes closest to the sidewalk. Next are the musical toys. You will find drums, xylophone and pentatonic set to enjoy. Behind the musical area is a large, blue climbable butterfly. Further over are the two playhouses, separated by gumdrop steps.

The playhouses are perfect for the youngest kids to explore, with several features on the ground level. But they are also perfect for 3 and 4 year olds, who love to play pretend. I really liked how one playhouse is smaller than the other so it serves a variety of ages, but gives more than one option for kids who aren’t walking yet.

At the far side of the playground is the ground-level accessible merry-go-round. A set of textured walls with different shapes and colors borders the merry-go-round.

Big kid playground

The big kid playground is just over the little hill, where the ground switches from artificial turf to mulch. This area is best for kids ages 4 and up.

The main playground structure consists of a two-story tower with a connected ropes course. The ropes course is cool, but a bit intricate. The tower has several ladders and stairs, 2 slides from the first level, and several interactive toys along the walls.

One thing that stuck out is that there is no slide from the top level, which the kids found a bit disappointing. The only way to get up and down from top level are ladders (1 inside the structure and 2 outside).

The zip line was a cool surprise! It is located along back side of playground, behind the big kid playground structure. My son had a blast zipping back and forth all morning long.

Swings

Look for the swings in the mulch area next to the big kid playground. There are 6 swings to enjoy: 2 regular swings, 1 bucket swing, 1 ADA, and 2 dual accessible swings – plus one disc swing for friends to share.

No nearby bathrooms

There are no bathrooms on site near the playground. It would be a good idea to make sure you have a car potty in your trunk before heading to this playground if you have one.

The Inwood Park bathrooms are located in the lower part of the park, closer to Vine Street, in the comfort station by the lake. There appears to be a path (and quite a few steps) to the lake area that begins at the bottom of the nearby traffic circle. Unfortunately, it does not appear to be a quick walk from the playground to the park potty.

The not so greats

No bathrooms. There are no bathrooms onsite at the playground, and unfortunately, the park bathroom is not a quick walk away.

Not fenced in. There is a fence along the side of the playground that borders the apartment complex, but the playground itself is not contained. For a playground that caters to the youngest kids, it would be a nice bonus to have the playground fully fenced in.

Not a lot of parking. The nearby parking lot is nice but small with less than 10 spots. You can park further up the street on Wellington Place, but I do not believe you can park on the part of the street that is closest to the playground. That being said, the parking lot was never completely full the entire time we were there on a week day morning.

No shade at all. Inwood Park would be a better playground to visit on a cloudier day. The addition of a few shades, particularly over the little kid area, would be a welcomed addition!

The mulch. It would be nice if entire playground was solid surface or artificial turf instead the mulch that covers the big kid area and swings.

More slides! The kids found the big kid play structure to be a bit disappointing because of lack of slide down from the top level. Both my son and my friend’s child asked where the slide was when they got up top. 

Highlights

• Great playground for early walkers to bigger kids
• One of the bigger playground structures around for older kids
• Cool new features for 2021
• Cute little creek to explore next to the playground

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Overview

Sharonville’s Gower Park is located across the street from the city’s rec center and library. In addition to the playground and creek, Gower Park has a walking path, picnic tables, gazebos, ball fields and tennis courts. Parking is available next to the rec center or on the other side of the tennis courts.

When you first enter the park, you’ll see the newly updated area of the playground. Gower Park recently debuted updated swings, wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, teeter-totter and a climbing dome. Next to this area is the toddler playground. Lastly, you’ll find the main playground structure, including a large rock wall. The playground is partially fenced in, with openings on the sides of the playground and a large opening to a path leading across the street to the rec center.

Further back from the street and next to the playground, you will find a patio area with picnic tables and access to the small creek. The closest bathrooms are located in a building across a bridge from the playground.

The playground

There is so much to explore on the main playground at Gower Park. First, the large 3-story playground structure boasts two slides (including one from the top level), several staircases and ladders, and interactive toys at every level. There is also a cool internal ladder to reach the top floor. Next is a two-story playground structure with a ladder and slide. A cool tunnel attaches this structure to the bigger structure. Rounding out the main playground is a rock climbing wall and rope wall.

There are a lot of little features I like about this part of the playground. Our favorite feature is the bug scavenger hunt, where you search for pictures of different bugs hidden all over the playground. On the ground level you will find a pretend storefront, kid-sized picnic table, and more interactive toys. Having these playground features low to the ground is awesome for kids who are still mastering walking.

I also really like how there are features for a variety of skill sets. For example, there is an easy staircase to access the third level of the playground structure, but there is also a more challenging vertical ladder too. That being said, you’ll likely want to stick close by a young toddler exploring this part of the playground. But by age 3, my son can manage exploring on his own without me worrying (too much).

Toddler playground

The toddler area at Gower Park includes a dinosaur climbing structure and two vehicle spring rider toys. The dinosaur structure is pretty low to the ground, and can be easily navigated by a young toddler. Most of this area of the playground is covered in mulch, so it is best for kids who are already walking.

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Gower Park recently added to the toddler playground area, which is detailed below.

New for 2021

I was pleasantly surprised to walk into the playground at Gower Park this summer and find some cool new features and swings.

New to the toddler playground is a small climbing dome, a 4-person teeter-totter, and a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round. My son loved playing on the merry-go-round, and I loved how the base is at ground level and includes a spot specifically for wheelchairs. This area of the playground is also solid surface rubber – another element making this playground accessible for all children.

Gower Park also updated all their swings. The playground now features two saucer swings, two regular swings, one bucket swing, and one ADA swing. The saucer swings are so much fun, and a nice upgrade from the tire swings.

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The creek

What I love about the creek at Gower Park is that it’s right next the playground. You don’t have to venture deep in the woods to find it; it’s just a few yards from civilization.

Look for the stairway down to the creek behind the swings and next to the patio area. There is an opening in the fence where the stairs begin. It’s very easy to miss – but the view from the walking path on the other side of the creek can show you exactly where to go!

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The creek isn’t very large, but there is still plenty to explore. There is a waterfall, lots of rocks to climb on, and fossils to find.

Bathrooms

Head over the bridge closest to the main playground to find the main bathrooms in the Lovitt Building. If these bathrooms are closed, keep following the walking path up the hill to find the second bathroom.

The bathroom by the ball fields is essentially a fancy outhouse. It’s a bit smelly in there – be prepared for your toddler to loudly announce that the potty is very smelly before you go.

The not so greats

While there is a lot to love about the playground at Gower Park, there are some not so great aspects to be aware of.

Only partially fenced in. Gower Park is only partially fenced in, and unfortunately is also close to a busy street. A fence runs most of the length of the side of the playground near Thornview Drive, but there is a large opening to a path leading across the street to the rec center. The sides of the playground are also not fenced in, and there is a large opening in the fence along the back side of the playground that leads to the creek below.

Lots of mulch. Although the newer parts of Gower Park have solid surface rubber covering the ground, most of the playground is covered in much.

Bathrooms not super close or convenient. Having to leave the playground to go to the bathroom is never fun, but it’s even less ideal when the bathrooms aren’t located nearby. Having to cross a bridge, and then walk up a big hill to find a bathroom is definitely not so great.