Briar Chapel Playgrounds, Chapel Hill

Briar Chapel is a recent housing development. Like all new neighborhoods, it doesn't have much shade so one sees sweaty residents walking their dogs, getting a sunburn. It has several parks on google maps but some are just small green spaces, like Boulder Park, which has a few cool boulders to climb. Discovery Park is a patch of grass with a bench swing. Briar Commons is also just a green space with a gazebo (which has fans!). The names are a bit overblown. Great Wall Activity Park is an area with tennis courts, pickleball, and basketball courts. The Park at Briar Chapel has soccer fields. Constellation Park is a shadeless, winding pathway behind the houses, with some boulders strewn about. At Endor Drive, near the two pools, there is a small space age playground.

The best playground I found was at Great Meadow Park, where there's a large round swing, wooden seesaw, bouncy you can stand on, basketball hoop, baby swings, spinner, igloo to hide inside, tunnel, seesaw bouncy, and nice play structure with spinner that kids adore. This area needs more shade for the kids! There are restrooms here. A historic tobacco barn adds an interesting contrast of old and new at this park. In days past, the flue of a chimney sent smoke into the building to dry tobacco. 
The entrance road to the Briar Chapel neighborhood is quite long and forested, a peaceful experience. 
After playing at one of the Briar Chapel playgrounds, head across Highway 15-501 to Fearrington Village for a snack at The Belted Goat, which has indoor and adorable outdoor seating. Your kids will love checking out the belted goats, cows, and chickens at the entrance. In May the field is a bright, glorious yellow, and there are tiny baby goats! Also wonderful, there is McIntyres Bookstore, with an enchanting kids section with stuffed animals peering at kids from the shelves! After, walk around in the shade of this pretty neighborhood.
To hang out on a beach by Jordan Lake, check out Seaforth Beach, a fourteen minute drive southeast.

Directions

Great Meadow Playground is located at 161 Salt Cedar Lane, Chapel Hill 27516.

Click on map for interactive view