Imagination Playgrounds Tour: Historic Flour Mill Playground in Adelphi

We are steadily working our way through the 25 Imagination Playgrounds in Prince George’s County and decided to visit one that’s not too far from home. The Historic Flour Mill Playground in Adelphi has somehow made a really cool theme out of the decidedly unsexy topic of grinding grain. That alone makes it worth a visit, but it’s also a creative playground next to a gorgeous section of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia. It’s a two-for-one since you can enjoy the playground and the stream in one trip!

Historic Flour Mill Playground in Adelphi

RouteOneFunLady did a great write-up of this playground back in 2019. The play structures are showing some age, but we otherwise agree that this is such a lovely, if a bit sunny, spot to spend an afternoon.

The playground features two main structures. The first is reminiscent of the old mill building visible from the parking lot, but lots more fun. It has big slides, spinners, and a climbing wall. It also has a water wheel feature, just like the old mill used to have.

The second play structure looks like an ox drawn wagon, complete with wheels and oxen. It has a big tube slide and smaller slides, making it a good choice for littles.

There are also two bouncy horses, a set of swings, and a pretty dramatic seesaw that was a hit with my kids. Note that this seesaw is the real deal. It reminded me of my childhood in the 90s when seesaws were still wooden boards that caused at least one injury a day. This one is metal and plastic, but Sport still managed to whack Wildflower into the ground at full speed. Tears ensued.

We walked over to the stream to nurse our injuries. A man was fishing nearby, and several kids were swimming. We explored the rocks and dipped our toes in to cool off on the hot day. Next time, I’ll bring a blanket and some snacks so we can really enjoy this pretty spot.

We visited in the late afternoon, and there was partial shade at the Historic Flour Mill Playground in Adelphi, but I imagine it would have been quite sunny earlier in the day. One thing to note is that this playground isn’t super accessible for kids with mobility limitations. The ground is mulched rather than a poured surface, all of the play structures require the ability to climb stairs, and there were no accessible swings.

I’m a nerd and would have loved to check out the old mill building that’s visible from the Historic Flour Mill Playground. Wikipedia tells me it was originally operated by the Schofield brothers back in 1796 and given the name Adelphi, which means “brothers” in Greek. My nerdy heart loves this so much. But alas, the kids were hot and hungry, so we headed home.

If you’re looking for a fun playground with an unexpected theme and a delightful stream, look no further than the Historic Flour Mill Playground in Adelphi.

Bathrooms: No
Water fountains: No
Shade: Partial
Parking: Ample
Address: 8402 Riggs Road, Adelphi