Shawnee County's largest and finest recreation spot, Lake Shawnee offers generous entertainment options for all. The centerpiece of the park is the lake, which stretches across 410 surface acres with about 2.75 billion gallons of water, providing a home for waterfowl and a popular destination for fishing, wind surfing, swimming and boating. The lake also can be enjoyed from picnic tables and shelters that surround the lake.

Named for former Topeka police chief Dana Hummer and his wife, Louise, Hummer Sports Park is the crown jewel of the Topeka Public School's athletic facilities. Constructed on property once belonging to the Topeka State Hospital, the six-sport facility (funded with a $17.5 million voter-approved bond issue) opened in the fall of 2003 on the north side of SW 6th between Oakley and MacVicar.

Oakland Billard Park, located in the Oakland area not far from the Sardou Bridge, has a little bit of everything, from a playground to a community center. Park goers will find a small swimming pool and baseball and softball backstops. Basketball hoops are located off the parking lot. Oakland Billard Park also features a concrete refuge for skateboarders, known as the Mouse Trap Skate Park. For children, its play area includes some classic playground toys, including teeter-totters, a kid-powered merry-go-round, swings, a slide and a climbing toy that resembles a car.

Just west of Felker Park on the west side of Gage Boulevard, Seabrook Park is a mostly sunny spot for play. The play area includes swings, teeter-totters and a merry-go-round -- nothing too fancy. A backstop at one edge of the park will keep stray balls from flying into the neighborhood. Flowers adorn the sign marking Seabrook Park.

Dornwood sits just a few blocks east of Highland Park High School. The centerpiece of the park is its lighted ball fields, which include a concession stand. For youngsters, the park also has bright, modern red and green play equipment. The park also has a two-mile wooded hiking trail. The trail moves from prairie to hardwood forest. Guided tours available.

Maude Bishop Park sits next to the school of the same name at 3101 SW Arnold. The park features colorful play equipment and shady trees. It also has basketball goals, tennis courts and a large sunny and grassy field.

Big Shunga is exactly what the name indicates: BIG. You might enter the 95-acre park at Washburn and Shunga Drive, but you could also spot it again off 29th Street. Big Shunga is part of the park system that ties into the Shunga Trail. Near the concrete trail, the park is shady and tree-lined. Memorial benches provide a place to stop, catch your breath during a run or bike ride, and listen to birds tweet from the nearby trees. Rehydrate at a fountain. At Shunga and High a playground area features play equipment and a merry-go-round.