Meadow Park Playground and walk, SLO

Note: Many homeless people. Worse on weekdays.

Meadow Park is a lush park that looks enticing as you drive by. There are rolling hills kids can run on, and a meandering walking path which is a one-mile loop you can take two or three times. Many people walk their dog or jog here, and kids go along the path on scooters. It's fun to stop and look at the stream from the bridge, and admire the weeping willow trees. This walk is sheltered on windy days.  Outdoor basketball courts and sand volleyball courts in good condition are another feature of the park, plus two space-age playgrounds that kids have a blast hanging from. I wasn't so sure about some of the cars hanging in the parking lot, so I suggest you come with a friend.
There is a pickleball court here sometimes, set up on the basketball court. A permanent pickleball court can be found at EA French Park. 
From Meadow Park, you can walk along Broad Street a few blocks to Old Town Historic District, to check out the Victorian houses and their gardens. If your walk lasts a mile, you can have a cup of tea in downtown SLO at Linnaea's Cafe or Scout Coffee, on Garden Street. Don't try to cross Broad Street until it becomes a narrow, sweet street. For a few blocks it's a big main road, but it changes.
Meadow Park is part of an area that used to be called Exposition Park, where crowds gathered to see race cars on the one-mile dirt race track. It was billed the nation's fastest dirt oval track, and attracted top drivers from around the country! People who didn't want to pay could watch from Cheapskate Hill, now South Hills Open Space (photos on page 106 of this document). 
My Friend Mike's Pizza, nearby, sells pizza made with sourdough starter, which is much healthier (low fodmap/fructans and low glycemic index). 
While in SLO, don't miss out on the most amazing playground of all, at Sinsheimer Park.

Directions

Meadow Park is located at 2333 Meadow St, San Luis Obispo CA 93401. There is parking along the road and in a small lot.

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