Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: park (45) train (26) ride (24) time (14) great (14) boats (12) pony (11) rides (11) picnic (11) nice (9)
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  • 5/5 Jimmy G. 1 year ago on Google
    Really beautiful park with lots of fun activities year-round! I highly recommend Wicked Island at Halloween time.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kimberly M. 2 years ago on Google
    We came here for a train ride and were kinda confused where to go to get tickets. (The website did not say they were at the concessions stand.) The ride itself was fun and we were surprised to find a cookout half way around. I would like to come back in summer and ride the paddleboats.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rohit R. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome park to take a mini toy train ride or even play miniature golf. The boat and pony rides were not open during the summer time we visited. Kid-friendly place.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Billy B. 1 year ago on Google
    We had a good time, pony rides, train, paddle boats and nice walk around the yellow brick road. Restrooms need work!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ShackD c. 6 months ago on Google
    It's amazing place to walk, picnic and relax. Also have a train ride you should try it
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sydney T. 1 year ago on Google
    We were in Wichita from out of town and had this park recommended to us (myself and my 4 year old). It was a slightly cool morning for being June in Kansas, so we decided to check it out. We played on the playground for a bit because we got there before the attractions opened. We went to buy a coupon pack of tickets and we were told the pony rides wouldn't be an option that day up front, which was very appreciated. Then we got tickets for the train and went for a ride around the park. The train ride was nice and my son enjoyed it, but he kept asking why there were speakers throughout the 'cars' if the 'engineer' wasn't going to talk to us about what we were seeing. Then we rented a pedal boat and went out for a little bit on the water. He's too short to reach the pedals, so I did all the work :) but it was a really nice little trip out onto the water - his first time on a boat of any kind. It felt like he was very safe with his life vest, and he loved steering the boat while I pedaled, so he loved it. We took it back to the dock after awhile to get a snack. The rental/ride/dock process was all very smooth and easy, but both at the boat and train, it felt like the staff was annoyed by the fact that we were there and wanted to participate in the activities offered. We headed up to the concessions and got a soda (for me), skittles, and a sno-cone for my son, and it was VERY reasonably priced. We had our snacks under a shelter to stay cool and enjoyed it very much. We really enjoyed our morning overall. It's a beautiful park with a lot to offer. It just felt like we were enjoying it a lot more than the park staff was (but that could also be that we were dealing with teenagers working a summer job, so that's understandable).
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ryan E. 1 year ago on Google
    Came here to fish, and got no bites.... Went to two other lakes in south Wichita, and ended up back here! Nice park, very nice lake. Clean park and lots of other people were there enjoying the day. The train whistle was a good reminder that we needed to go home to our ladies.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Daria S. N. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a wonderful park for a Family Afternoon out. It has Train Rides (open on weekends), Pony Rides, Multiple Playgrounds, Miniature Golf, Paddle Boats, Urban Fishing, Picnic Shelters (rentals), & so much more! I gave 4 stars because some of the experiences are a little dated. Overall the park is in great condition for being established decades ago.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tracy R. 5 months ago on Google
    Had to wait a little longer then was originally told for another party to wrap up. Staff handled thing wonderfully. We had a great Baby show..Building has a great Air conditioner. The price was good for the amount of time we had.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ranjan H. 4 years ago on Google
    Very nice park to entrain the kids. There are train rides, pedal boats, multiple playground and picnic areas. They even have pony rides and petting area but it was closed for the day due to puddles from the rain
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Janelle C. 1 year ago on Google
    This place has given me so many great memories over 37 years of my existence. I used to love the little ponies they have had there to ride on them with a fee of course. You can also ride a little Choo Choo trian through the park and check out the different areas. Then there's the paddle boats which sound like fun until u try to get somewhere fast in them then it wears you out so fast. Lol. There is miniature golf course there and the yellow brick road runs through an area of the park as well..I don't know why but every since they put that part in I look forward to walking on it and love it.. they have a couple of pavilions there u can rent out and here recently put up I think it's their 1st indoor pavilion type building which is very very nice inside and has a few things that helps alot with events that you don't get with the open outdoor ones.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Frank 7 months ago on Google
    Great place for a family picnic and outing. There are paddle boats, horse rides for the kids, and a train that circles the park. There are plenty of picnic tables available in this large park.

  • 5/5 Rene W. 9 months ago on Google
    Nice park, $4 per activity or you can buy group tickets if the lady at the counter doesn't mention it :( I bought 6 train passes and went inside to buy pretzels and found I could have saved $4. So know before you go

  • 4/5 Pete Joe (Ol' B. 7 months ago on Google
    I live very close to the park so I like getting my woman and some food and driving right on in over there we'll park then eat and have a little romance after words it keeps us both interested and happy

  • 4/5 Danielle G. 7 months ago on Google
    There are a lot of activities: pony rides, playgrounds, kayaks, paddle boats, mini golf, sand volleyball, and a train to ride.

  • 5/5 Glenn L. 10 months ago on Google
    Took great grandson there. Park was busy but we got on the train easily and we both liked it. He got to ride a pony all by himself. We only had a short time to be there & plan to go back when we can

  • 5/5 Bobby L. 5 months ago on Google
    The changes to the park over the years have made even a small stroll thru the park a memorable experience. Both people and pet friendly makes an hour on a pleasant Sunday an eye opening vision of nostalgia. I recommend a personal walk along the parks inner sanctum of waterways for a private getaway. It was clean and full of life as the sound of the distant families laughter echoed alongside the footsteps of both my dogs first ventures in a park. Definitely a call for a return venture.

  • 4/5 Jdub F. 9 months ago on Google
    We take the grandkids here every now and then. They enjoy the extra activities at this park like the paddle boats, pony and train ride. Was unhappy the last time we went because their cc system was down and they were only accepting cash. Grounds and facilities were clean and well maintained. I recommend bringing cash for extra activities. I would recommend this park

  • 5/5 Kandi L. 8 months ago on Google
    This park is like a secret gem. So much to do and lots of fun to be had here. You can ride a train, play 18hole Put Put, ride a pony, take a kayak or paddle boat out and there's tons of sand volleyball courts. No long lines for any of it.

  • 5/5 Shana D. 6 months ago on Google
    Had a fantastic time at the Water Latern Festival!! It was a great night with my husband and adult children 💕

  • 5/5 Kasaundra Salazar (. 6 months ago on Google
    I love this park as it was where I went when I was a child and now I get to take my children here. There's so much to do, concessions, playground, you can have a party, there's paddle boats and a train and ponies! I had my daughter's 2nd birthday here and it was a blast!!

  • 5/5 Brandon S. 6 months ago on Google
    O.j Watson Park is one of my favorite parks in all of Wichita. It has been a staple of many family gatherings. I have been coming here for well over 30 years. As time has gone by, the city has maintained and updated park equipment, roads, parking spots and entrances. There are plenty of places to park. Lots of playground equipment for young children to play on. Lots of shoreline to do fishing, kayaking, pedal boating. There is a train that you can ride on. There is a miniature golf course with various fun themed holes. Small children can ride on ponies during the spring and summer months. There is ample room to run around play frisbee host parties or whatever else you would like to do. For the south side of Wichita, but Jay Watson Park is hands down the best park to go to.

  • 5/5 Sarri K. 6 months ago on Google
    I was scoping out places around town to take photos. I really wanted to incorporate the yellow brick road from OJ Watson Park. While it took me a bit to find it, I was not disappointed. It's a great park with plenty of area to explore, picnic & play.

  • 4/5 K. B. 9 months ago on Google
    It's nice for families with little ones (6 and under). Ours is not though. Recommend highly to go on a cloudy day. The train is very very very slow, so no worries about children galavanting off and breaking a limb. Pony rides are okay -- couldn't a tent be put over that area for the ponies to be shaded? It's too bad there aren't any trees covering the playground equipment, the metal was ready to fry us like bacon! I'm sure on a cloudier day, these issues would be alleviated. Big space too.

  • 5/5 Rebecca E. 11 months ago on Google
    Always a great time here with the kids. Clean, plenty of tables, trash cans. I only wish they would bring back the Yellow Brick Road with the Statues. Lol GOODTIMES

  • 5/5 J Gamer (Three w. 11 months ago on Google
    Fun place to go with the kids and reasonable cheap prices the kids will love pony ride get to have fun like when we was kids get them away from those video games and cell phones play outside and have old-fashioned fun

  • 4/5 Jodi B. 11 months ago on Google
    Train ride was $4 and they have it going around instead of circling back. The only thing I didn't like was that the grass is disappearing. Need boundaries so people aren't walking on it.

  • 5/5 George S. 1 year ago on Google
    There is a train that runs through the park, and a lake where you can rent recreational equipment to go out on the water. Shetland Ponies can also be rented. An the park has a yellow brick road just like the movie Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Anyone who wants less mastalgia there's the great path going all over the park. Great place.

  • 4/5 Clint D. 1 year ago on Google
    Great park! Has a little choo choo train and it runs around the little Lake! Very laid-back atmosphere highly recommend!

  • 5/5 Jacquelyn W. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a beautiful Park, they offer a train ride through the park, there are also I believe pony rides for kids, there's restrooms, picnic tables, the park is well kept and clean it's a great place to enjoy time with the family.

  • 5/5 michelle l. 1 year ago on Google
    My grandson had a blast on the water.

  • 5/5 Crystal A. 1 year ago on Google
    So much fun!!! My mom picked going to Watson Park for her 89th birthday. My mom, two brothers and I got the bundled tickets so we could each do the pedal boats, train ride and 18 holes of miniature golf. We did the pedal boats first, then the train ride, ate our picnic lunch that we brought and finished off with miniature golf, which was my mom's favorite! Of course she was the the winner with the best score, lol!!! Beautiful park, nice accommodations, great time. You can also fish there and have bait that you can purchase. They have cute little ponies for kids to ride. Beside the pedal boats, they also have kayaks! Definitely a lovely place to spend outdoors with a small or large group as you can reserve covered picnic areas. They also have a concession stand! Such a beautiful park!

  • 5/5 Penny R. 1 year ago on Google
    One of Wichita's hidden secrets. We took our kids there and now take grandkids. Small paddle boats that are easy to use. A small train that runs on the outer edge of the park through tunnels and the trees. It's a great tour of the park. Miniature horses and miniature golf. All in a beautiful park by the river. And it has the best sand pit volleyball courts. All inclusive, quiet and the rides, etc are inexpensive. Concession stand and restrooms available.

  • 5/5 Amber I. 1 year ago on Google
    Great little gem nestled in south Wichita. I loved coming here as a child and now bring my kiddos here. It's a great place to bring a picnic lunch, or host an event if needed! Play on the park equipment or ride the train and other activities. Your choice!

  • 4/5 Mike M. 1 year ago on Google
    It’s a nice little hang out spot, it’s a small park tho. Think Sedgwick county park but smaller.

  • 5/5 Deb C. 1 year ago on Google
    Went to a celebration. Lots of people in the park. Paddle boats, train, pony rides. Park is well maintained. My only complaint is some of the gnarly speed bumps. They are kind of rough on a small car no matter how slow you go. Everyone was having a good time. Our covered picnic area had been reserved by my friends family several weeks ago. I would suggest if planning anything, get reservations in quickly. Every covered area, every picnic table was packed. Good to be out and about again.

  • 5/5 J W. 1 year ago on Google
    Had my sons birthday party here! It worked out perfectly and it was great because they had a live band on Sunday! Absolutely love this park and am so thankful for it! We rented out a shelter. You get 3 hrs per shelter unless you pay for extra time. Will use the shelters again for future birthdays! Also the pond is stocked with fish! The birthday boy caught 2 of them!


Call +1 316-529-9940 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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