Walk up to any playground and you’ll be walking up to a place that’s bursting at the seams with imagination. Wood chips serve as hot lava and monkey bars are just one of the many obstacles one must cross to save the kingdom. This one playground, in particular, fosters that creativity with playground equipment shaped like giant turtles.

Most people don’t know about Turtle Playground, a hidden gem tucked away on the outskirts of Forest Park in St. Louis

Jason Meredith/flickr

But it’s a magical place that both the young and old can enjoy. Climb atop the turtle shells for fun, or take a goofy picture with them.

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The park was created in 1996 by Bob Cassilly, founder of the unique and quirky City Museum.

Turtle Playground, St. Louis, Missouri/Facebook

It features a snapping turtle, a soft-shelled turtle, a red-eared slider, a Mississippi map, three box turtles and a stinkpot turtle.

Turtle Playground, St. Louis, Missouri/Facebook

Don’t forget the eggs! Throughout the park, you’ll come across turtle eggs. Some may even appear to be hatching.

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No park would be complete without swing sets either.

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For a fun-filled day of giant turtles and imagination, head on over to Turtle Playground.

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Turtle Playground is located on the south side of Interstate 64/US 40 and can be accessed by the Tamm Avenue overpass near the Saint Louis Zoo parking lot.

Jason Meredith/flickr

50stateswithkids/TripAdvisor

Turtle Playground, St. Louis, Missouri/Facebook

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Address: 5595 Grand Dr. Saint Louis, MO 63112

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