VanRaalte Farm, 24th St., Holland, MI

These are the Stairs of Death. Do not let your children try to egress them if they are wet. Dupas will get hurt.


Small but mighty.

What: VanRaalte Farm park, 24th St., Holland, MI

How to get there: I have no idea, just Google it

What's good: again, it has its own port-a-loo (I have a photo to prove it), nice slides, a pavilion. The problem is we went when it was raining and the Stairs of Death took out two of my kids.

What's bad: nothing. It's a cute playground. Just don't go in the rain.

Grade: B+

Smallenberg Park, Fairbanks @ 14th St., Holland MI

Where: Holland, MI, on the beautiful shores of Lake Macatawa

What's good: this is a great park. Like everything else in Holland, it is super clean, has its own port-a-loo (we didn't investigate), and is ADA accessible. Love the rock climbing wall, the swings, the slides, Parking is adjacent. Note the snack pavilion. There is also a petite climber, which my kids weren't very interested in but was well organized.

What's bad: probably the only homeless woman in Holland was there and kind of creeped me out. However, she fell asleep on a table halfway through our visit so I figure she was harmless enough.

Grade: A