Service Club Community Park & Ballfields
14608 SE 288th Street
Kent, WA 98042
Nicknamed the “The Park with the Green Slides” in our house, Service Club Park is one of our favorites. It’s close to home and has a little something for everyone.
Opened to the public in 2006, it was Kent’s first sports complex. It has four lighted ballfields, ample parking and spectator seats, and even a seasonal concession stand.
But we (currently) go for the play area.
WHY WE LOVE THIS PARK:
It has swings: two standard, two baby swings.
It has a merry-go-round: as much as it stresses me out and I picture kids flying off the thing, they love it.
It has a rock climbing wall.
It has those rocking toys on springs and one is a car!
It has a slides: a fast one, a twisty one, and a smaller one for the cautious.
It has a separate toddler play structure. A truly rare find!
It has a musical-thingy. There’s pipes and heavy balls on springs and it doesn’t sound half-bad.
It has grassy areas for picnics.
It has a sidewalk area for bikes and skates.
It has a fenced off wetlands for nature viewing.
And it’s all nicely consolidated at the front of the fields. Yet doesn’t feel crowded — Well, except on a game day. Consolidated means I don’t have to chase two kids in two different directions. I can easily keep my eye on both of them from any corner or while playing hide-and-seek, transformers, follow the leader, or any other game the boys come up with.
The park is well kept. Groomed and gardened and you’ll find little to no litter.
DRAWBACKS:
As much as I love this park, it’s not perfect — but pretty close. There is very little shade. On a nice hot day, you’ll see families huddled under the puny little saplings that produce about three square feet of splotchy shade each. There is a sheltered picnic area with tables and public grills, but it can fill up fast.
Game days can get a bit crazy and crowded. My experience has been that the older kids are pretty respectful of smaller children playing on and around the play structure. But it makes it a bit more difficult to keep an eye on your own if you’re not following on their heel.
RESTROOMS
The restrooms are in the middle of the sports complex– you walk through the length of a ballfield to get there. It’s really not too far. . . unless you’re carrying a screaming child who REALLY has to go. It also makes a quick wash before or after a picnic a special outing all on its own. In the off-season, the field complex is closed and a portable potty is placed near the playground. I usually make sure my kids have used the facilities at home and I bring wipes or hand sanitizer for quick clean-ups. But when the complex is open, they restrooms are pretty typical of public restrooms: cleaned regularly, have running water and are equipped with a changing table (at least in the Women’s). There are also drinking fountains on site. One near the play area and one by the restrooms in the sports complex.
DOG OWNERS
Almost all Kent Parks are dog-on-leash friendly and this park is no exception. Doggie waste and disposal are available on site.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The picnic shelter and fields can be rented out for private use. Click here for use and fee information.
South Sound Park Bench 