Garibaldi Park is a verdant city park with a small playground in the southeast corner. This playground, renovated in 2015, features equipment from the Burke company which, in my opinion, has an aesthetic akin to 1990s Nickelodeon. But all the basic playground elements are present: slides, swings, and climbing elements. The amenities are also basic; there are a few benches and a drinking fountain but not much else. The play surface is wood chips and the area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. All in all, this is a decent neighborhood playground in a nice setting.
This playground - one of two in Garfield Park - is located near the northeast corner of the park and features two play structures. The smaller play structure is designed for younger children and features two climbing elements and a slide. The larger play structure is accessible via a ramp and features a large triple slide and a few interactive panels. There are also a number of overhead elements (variations of monkey bars) and traversing elements near the larger play structure. A small swing set completes the play elements in this small playground. The play area is fenced from the street but is not fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. A few benches and tree provide some seating and shade and a drinking fountain and a couple of picnic tables round out the other amenities.
This playground - one of two in Garfield Park - is located on the east side of the park near the intersection of Madison and Homan and contains two play structure. The smaller play structure is a single modular structure designed for young children; a few other standalone elements and toddler swings are situated nearby. The larger play structure is for older children and features a large twisted net climbing structure, monkey bars, and a few slides. There are fences around parts of the playground but it is not fully enclosed. The play surface is wood chips and a few large trees provide some shade throughout the day.
The playground at Galewood Park offers a decent play structure, the standard set of park swings, and a small water spray feature. The main play structure includes some interesting ladders and two slides. There is also a set of swings (toddler and belt seat) and a few small standalone 'animals on poles' for younger children. The water spray feature is a simple 'four sprayer' in a concrete circle.
There are plenty of benches, one drinking fountain, and the fieldhouse is quite close for bathroom access (when open). The main play surface is soft rubber and the play area gets some morning shade but is mostly bright and sunny.
The playground in Gage Park - located near the south edge of the park - is a large and heavily shaded playground with some solid elements. There is a small structure for younger children and a much larger structure for older children with a variety of slides. that is accessible via a ramp. There is a small set of swings with the usual Chicago Park varieties but - interestingly - no monkey bars of any kind. The play area is enclosed and heavily shaded by large trees. The play surface is soft rubber and there are benches scattered around the perimeter of the playground which is both set back from the street and fully enclosed. All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground.
The playground in Fuller Park is located in the northeast corner of the park and features a sprawling play structure for older children, a smaller structure for younger children, and the standard offering of swings. The play surface is soft rubber and the larger play structure is somewhat accessible via a ramp. There is also a water spray feature located just south of the playground. There are a few benches near the play area and several large, mature trees provide some shade.
The playground at Franklin Park is divided into two distinct areas - one for younger children and the other for older children. The structure for younger children features a small play structure with a small summit climber, conical climbing wall and small slide. There are also four toddler swings. The larger structure features two variations of monkey bars, three slides, and a few climbing and traversing elements along with standard swings (belt seat and adaptive). Both areas are fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and both have a play surface of wood chips. A water spray feature is situated just north of the playground and next to the Franklin Park outdoor pool and the park district building provides bathroom access during open hours.
Foster Park has a great playground and a huge water playground. The playground is located near the northwest side of the park and includes a large play structure with several large standalone elements, including a zip line, arched climber, and large metal climbing structure. There are also standards like slides and monkey bars and a variety of swings: toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and tire.
The general setting and non-play elements are great; it's a classic playground with a wood chip play surface and wooden benches with easy access to the fieldhouse.
The water spray features - more accurately called a water playground - are impressive. I visited in October (so nothing was on) but it was one of the largest water playgrounds in the city.
All in all, this is a great playground with a wonderful water playground; highly recommend.
This playground - one of two in Fosco Park - is officially listed as a Chicago Park playground. However, my sense is that this facility is used primarily (or even exclusively) by the Fosco Park programs. and might not be open to the general public. At the very least, it was locked when I visited. This doesn't really matter too much, though, because the much larger playground just around the corner was more easily accessible and - honestly - better in most ways.
This playground - one of two in Fosco Park - appears to be the main playground and features a large play structure and is next to a large water spray area. The playground itself includes a large and sprawling play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements - nothing too out of the ordinary but a really solid playground. The water spray area is fenced from the playground and features a few different spray elements.
The non-play amenities are solid. There is a drinking fountain and benches for seating and the fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). The play area is fenced from the street and includes a soft rubber surface. Although there are some trees, the play area itself is bring and sunny. All in all, this is a great playground; highly recommend.
Forest Glen Park is a small park with a moderate sized play structure seemingly designed for preschool ages children. That is, it's larger than most toddler play areas but without challenging elements geared for older children. It's a well-maintained area with a soft rubber play surface with a ramp leading to the play structure. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain in the somewhat shaded park. This park also features views of the nearby Metra trains.
The playground at Flying Squirrel Park contains a moderate sized play structure from the manufacturer Gametime that was installed in 2013. The play structure is somewhat accessible by ramp and features a few slides and climbing elements with a set of other elements placed nearby. There is also a standard set of Chicago Park District swings. The play area fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. The play surface is wood chips and there is a small grassy field just south of the playground. There are a few benches and some large trees for seating and shade.
Lucy Flower Park is a small neighborhood park with a sand box, water spray feature, and a playground. The playground has a set of non-traditional elements for older children and a small, more traditional structure for younger children. The sand box has a lattice roof for some shade and the water spray feature is designed to look like a flower.
The non-play elements are wonderful; this site is fully enclosed and has a soft surface play area. There are benches, a drinking fountain, and picnic tables. Trees lining the nearby streets provide some shade. All in all, this is a great playground.
Filbert Park is a tiny neighborhood pocket park with playground equipment designed for young children. Nearly everything is low to the ground making it great for toddlers and preschoolers. The largest play structure is near the entrance with a few slides; moving back into the site there are drum panels, interactive panels, and a small set of swings (one toddler and one belt seat).
The non-play amenities are also designed for younger park-goers; the play area is fully enclosed and has a soft rubber surface. There are benches and picnic tables (with shade umbrellas!) as well as a drinking fountain. The site is quite open and is feet from the CTA Brown Line track. All in all, this is a popular and unique playground designed for young children.
The playground at Eugene Field Park has two play structures, a set of swings, a water spray feature, and some above average amenities making it a great spot near the Chicago River. The large play structure features a ramp from the soft rubber surface making it accessible to people using a wheelchair. This structure isn't very tall but is somewhat sprawling with two variations of monkey bars attached as well as two slides. The other structure is quite small and is designed for younger children. The water spray feature includes two elements: two water loops that produce a gentle mist and 'triple shower sprayer' with a bit more intense spray. Both are set in a concrete area with a row of benches under a simple shade pavilion.
In addition to benches, there are a few picnic tables in the play area. The play area isn't quite fully enclosed but is set back from the street and fenced from the nearest streets. The play surface is soft rubber and large trees provide some shade - especially in the afternoon and evening. All in all, this is a great playground with some solid amenities; highly recommend.
Though not connected to this playground, the natural area just north of the North Branch (follow the pedestrian bridge near the fieldhouse) or the Nature Play Area a few blocks to the east are also worth checking out.
The playground in Fernwood Park is near the middle of the park and features a moderate size play structure with a variety of slides and a 'rope net funnel.' There are also a variety of traversing elements connected to the structure and a variety of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing). There is also a simple 'four sprayer' water spray feature. The play area opens to the rest of the park and boasts a few benches for seating. The play surface is wood chips and the nearby fieldhouse should provide access to a drinking fountain and bathrooms (when open).
Fellger Park is a small neighborhood park with a great playground and water spray feature. This gem of a playground has two main play structures - a larger structure for older children and a smaller structure for younger children - as well as many standalone elements: a see-saw, vehicles-on-a-spring, a clubhouse, and a play train. Rounding out the play elements are two sets of swings and a single pole water spray feature. The non-play amenities are stellar: the play area is fully enclosed and the main play surface is soft rubber. Large trees provide ample shade and there are benches and picnic tables for seating. This is a great playground - especially for younger children - and definitely a worthy destination.
Evergreen Park is a small neighborhood 'pocket park' that has a small playground that is also a time capsule to another era of playground design. Despite the age (the current structures date to at least 2007 and likely earlier), this playground is well maintained and very functional. There are slides, swings, and climbing elements. The amenities are basic - wood chip surface, a few benches for seating, some shade provided by buildings and trees - but together make for a good, classic playground experience.
Euclid Park features a nice and somewhat shaded playground and small water spray feature. The playground is located near 98th and Parnell and contains a large and sprawling play structure with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and overhead challenges. The site also contains the standard Chicago Park swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. A little further into the park - near the fieldhouse - is the small water spray feature: a 'four sprayer.' The non-playable amenities are classic: wood chips, wooden benches, some shade, and a drinking fountain. The play are is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed; the fieldhouse should provide access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this playground gets high marks across the board.
Renovated in 2015, the playground at the Essex Park contains a modern play structure some some standard equipment (slides, climbing structures, monkey bars) as well as some more interesting equipment (an overhead slider and a 'top and bottom' spinner). There is also a standard set of swings nearby. The play area is fenced but not fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches and a drinking fountain but not much shade.
Last renovated in 2015, the playground at Emmerson Park includes two moderately sized play structures, a set of swings, and a simple 'four sprayer' water spray feature. The park itself is somewhat small but nice with large mature trees and some grassy spaces. There are benches and a small fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open).
Most recently renovated in 2015, Elston Park contains a small playground with modern Kompan equipment. It features two moderate sized structures with bold colors and geometric shapes. These structures contain slides and climbing elements and a variety of traversing elements (though no monkey bars). There are two sets of swings and a small single mast net climbing structure. The play area is fully enclosed and the the play surface is wood chips. There are some benches and trees for seating and shade.
The playground in Ellis Park contains two play structures, some standalone elements, and a small water spray feature. The smaller play structure designed for younger children is actually quite large and features three slides and a variety of different climbing elements. The larger play structure is massive. It is fully accessible and includes a long ramp that snakes back and forth several times before reaching the highest platform. There are a number of slides and other climbing elements on this structure as well as a circular monkey bars. The standalone elements include a see-saw and the standard set of swings. The water spray feature is located nearby and is a simple four sprayer. The playground is accessible with soft rubber surface and barrier free access to the highest platform. There are a few benches in the play area and the new Arts and Recreation Building provides access to bathrooms.
