DEAR SPRINGFIELD MAMA

The Hatch: The huge new playground at Fellows Lake

Published by

Brittany Meiling

September 7, 2025

The Hatch playground at Fellows Lake: If you haven’t been to Fellows Lake recently, you may have missed the grand opening of a new, huge playground called The Hatch. If you’re anything like me, playgrounds can be extremely dull for parents. This one feels different. The breeze off the water makes this sunshine-drenched playground an ideal spot for playdates. There are benches for parents, and a nearby spot to skip rocks or watch sailboats by the boat launch.

This is an accessible playground, meaning there are wheelchair-friendly pathways, rubberized surfaces, and high-backed swings in addition to classic playground features.

Location

Fellows Lake marina area (Google Maps Location)

What to bring

Snacks and water
Lawn chairs (if you want to hang out by the water)

I send a “things to do” email every Sunday night to tons of moms in the Springfield, Mo. area. It’s full of free, often outdoorsy ideas that always match the season we’re in.

Get the email

Photos of Fellows Lake

More kid-friendly outdoor spots:

I’m Brittany

Brittany Meiling is a former newspaper reporter and editor with bylines at the Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, and the Springfield Daily Citizen. Now a stay-at-home mom to one spirited kid, she writes Dear Springfield Mama to help local mothers feel more grounded, connected, and in the know. She’s traded newsroom deadlines for nature walks, budget grocery runs, and chasing beauty in the middle of it all.