Veterans' Memorial Park has a small playground on the southern edge of the park as well as a water spray feature and set of swings. The main play structure is somewhat dated - the current equipment has been in place since at least 2011 - but is overall still functional with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and interactive panels. This playground is also somewhat accessible to wheelchair users with a ramp to the main structure and a soft rubber surface. The small set of swings is standard (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and the water spray feature is also a standard 'triple sprayer.' There are benches around the perimeter of the play area as well as a small park building with access to bathrooms and drinking fountains (when open). Although the equipment is dated, this is still a decent playground.
Valley Forge Park features a new fieldhouse and a variety of athletic fields as well as a very modern and nice playground. The playground is located just west of the fieldhouse and features modern and somewhat non-traditional equipment. There is a tiny structure for younger children and the rest of the equipment is for climbing and exploring by older children. The play area is fenced from the street (but not fully enclosed) and opens into the rest of the park. There are a few benches for seating and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms and drinking fountains (when open). The play surface is soft rubber. All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground.
The playground at Unity Park is a huge asset to the Logan Square neighborhood. It features huge elements: a huge play structure for younger kids, a huge climbing net structure, a huge play structure for older children, and a huge water spray feature. The area for younger children is quite large and features a light nautical theme with a ship bow and mast. Older children could play on the large climbing net structure and the dedicated area with a variety of elements. And the nearby spray feature is massive and features four large overhead sprayers. There are also the standard variety of swings in this fully enclosed playground. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and picnic tables scattered around this small park.
Those interested in history and/or wish to hear a catchy song should check out the audio documentary "Meet Me at Unity Playlot" by Long Haul Productions (available on SoundCloud here: https://soundcloud.com/longhaulpro/unity) because it tells the history of this park as well as features a song written about the park.
The playground at Union Park is a huge playground with a water spray feature and a range of other elements. There are several rope net climbing elements including a 'wooden plank bridge' and a huge multifaceted climbing structure. Interestingly, this site uses equipment made from at least two different playground manufacturers - though perhaps this is only interesting to someone who writes detailed reviews of playgrounds! There is a small, traditional structure with a few slides and climbing elements from the company "landscape structures." There is also a more post-modern looking play structure for older children from the "Kompan" company based in Europe. There is a small set of standard swings as well as a few standalone elements. The water spray feature are some water loops that provide a gentle mist of water.
The play area is not fully enclosed but opens into the rest of Union Park and is fenced from the nearby streets. The play surface is soft rubber and there are a few benches and a drinking fountain. The fieldhouse and the pool are nearby and should provide access to bathrooms (when open). There are a number of trees in the area that should provide some shade - especially in the afternoon. All in all, this is a great playground and definitely a destination to visit.
The playground at Tuley Park is a solid neighborhood playground with two play structures, the standard Chicago Park swings, and a water spray feature. The larger structure, designed for older children, features long ramps and a few slides and climbing elements. The smaller structure is quite small and definitely meant for younger children. The water spray feature is a solid 'triple shower sprayer' next to the playground.
The playground is located just south of the fieldhouse (which should provide access to bathrooms when open) and is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. There are benches and a drinking fountain in the area and the play surface is soft rubber. There are a few trees nearby but the playground itself is bright and sunny.
Shade and slides. These two words describe the playground in Trumbull Park. There are other features as well - monkey bars, rope/net climbing elements, swings - but the number and variety of slides as well as the quality of shade provided by the large mature trees are the defining factors of this playground. There is also a water spray feature directly north of the playground (and a pool in the same park!). The playground is on the east side of the park next to the fieldhouse (which provides access to bathrooms when open). The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches for seating around the playground.
The Touhy Park playground is located in the northeast corner of the park near the intersection of Jarvis and Paulina. There is an old and well-loved playground over a surface of wood chips nearest that corner. Further south, there is a modern playground over a soft rubberized surface featuring a small play structure for younger children, a large set of connected elements for older children, and swings. There are benches and picnic tables in an area shaded by large trees and near the park building.
The playground at Touhy-Herbert Park is an interesting playground because it combines elements from two playground equipment companies: Dynamo and Kompan. The bright orange elements are from Dynamo are include a net climbing structure, a large conical spinner, a large net climber with triangular faces, and a set of swings. The other structure is from Kompan and is a more traditional play structure with bright colors and geometric shapes. This structure includes some rare elements including a variation on the overhead glider and an interesting 'balance beam bridge.' The park is itself is quite large and while the playground gets some shade it is mostly bright and sunny. The play area has a wood chip surface and it is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. There are a few benches, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain for added comfort. There is also a small water spray feature located just south of the playground. All in all, this is an interesting playground!
Ping Tom Park is one of the best parks in Chicago and the playground, while somewhat standard, does not disappoint. It contains two play structures and a number of small, standalone elements, as well as swings and seating. The smaller play structure is designed for younger children and is quite small and accessible. The larger structure is somewhat sprawling and including a variety of elements: monkey bars, climbing elements, slides, and more. No element is truly remarkable or unique but the entire play structure is above average. There are a few unique standalone elements and a standard set of swings.
The play area is entirely enclosed and the playground set near the middle of the park and is removed from cars and traffic. However, this park is near three (3!) active train lines including the CTA Orange Line, Metra and Amtrak trains (which cross the South Branch of the Chicago River on a bridge) and an active freight train line. So despite the distance from cars and traffic, this is playground has great views of trains and river traffic. The play area contains a number of benches and picnic tables and is shaded by several large trees making it a comfortable to sit and gather. The surface of the playground is soft rubber.
Outside the playground, this park has other amenities worth exploring as a family: a large pagoda near the river, two large murals on the 18th Street overpass, and a natural area on the north side of the park. All in all, this is a great playground in a great park; highly recommend.
The playground at Tilton Park is small but features a nice play structure, two large sets of swings, and a small water feature. The play structure is small but includes a few slides and climbing elements. There are also two sets of swings (standard toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a standalone curving climbing element and a version of monkey bars. The water spray feature is a misting pole. This park is open and sunny and provides great views of the Lake Street L. The play area is mostly enclosed and features benches, a drinking fountain, and even a small picnic table.
The playground at Till-Mobley Park features a large play structure with several slides, climbing elements, and overhead elements. There is also a spinning sphere and the standard set of Park District swings (toddler, adaptive, and black belt). The play area, covered in wood chips, is not fully enclosed but it is fenced from the streets. There are a few benches in the area for seating and a drinking fountain near the basketball court.
Located on the western edge of Thuis Park, this playground features a few connected large play structures, a few standalone elements, and the standard set of swings. The play structures include a variety of slides and climbing elements with a 'ring tangle' traverse and a curving set of monkey bars. The standalone elements include a large metal climbing element and a 'two by two' see-saw. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and opens into the grassy expanse of Thuis Park. There is a bench and a drinking fountain and the play surface is wood chips.
Throop Park offers a great playground with a variety of equipment. There is a single large play structure that is both tall and sprawling with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and overhead elements to challenge older children. There is an interesting mix of swings - toddler, belt seat, and a tire swing - and a few standalone elements in the large play area. In the corner of the park is a simple water spray feature shaped like a mushroom. The playground is connected to the entire park which is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. The play area is wood chips and while the play area itself lacks shade most of the day, there is a shade pavilion next to the playground. There are also a few benches and a drinking fountain.
The Grove Playground is a small neighborhood pocket park with a decent playground and a few swing options. The main play structure is good size with a few slides and climbing options; attached the the structure is a collection of traverse and overhead elements to challenge older children. This park offers toddler, belt seat, and a tire swing. The park is shaded by beautiful trees and has a drinking fountains but - strangely - I don't recall any benches. The play area is fenced from the street and the play surface is wood chips.
Taylor-Lauridsen Park contains an athletic field, a new fieldhouse (completed in 2010) and a nice playground. The playground includes areas for younger children, a larger structure for older children, the standard set of Chicago Park swings, and a 'loch ness mister' water spray feature. The play area is fully enclosed near the northwest corner of the park and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches and a drinking fountain in the play area and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground.
Last renovated in the fall of 2014, Sycamore Park contains a large and somewhat standard playground and set of swings. The play structure is large and features most of the standard equipment: slides, climbing elements and ladders, and a set of monkey bars. The swings are also standard (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a circle seat zip line is the park's most unusual element.
The setting and non-play elements are also standard: the play surface is wood chips and there are benches for seating. There is a drinking fountain and tall, mature trees provide some shade.
Sweet Clover Park is a tiny neighborhood pocket park with a decent playground. The playground has two small structures, a drumming area, and a standard set of swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The non-play amenities are mediocre; there is plenty of shade from nearby trees and buildings and a drinking fountain but there aren't any benches or picnic tables for seating. The play surface is wood chips and it is not enclosed from the street. In many ways, this is a standard Chicago Park playground.
This small playlot features a traditional play structure, a sprawling set of climbing/traversing elements, a standard set of swings, and a few standalone elements. There location and amenities are all quintessential playground features: a play surface of wood chips, fully enclosed by the standard black Chicago fence, shaded by trees, surrounded by buildings, with a few benches and picnic tables for seating. This classic playground is a great asset to the neighborhood - highly recommend.
Supera Park is a super park! There are two play structures that are each designed to look like boats - complete with ship bow ladders and tall masts and sails. There are the standard set of swings as well as a sandbox. The play area is fully enclosed and the soft rubber play surface is shaded by large trees. There are benches and picnic tables for seating as well as a drinking fountain. A really great playground that is definitely worth checking out - highly recommend!
Sun Yat-Sen Park contains a wonderful little playground. There is a single large play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements as well as a set of swings and a few standalone elements. Although the setting is next to the Stevenson Expressway (and the noise from the traffic can be loud), this little park has solid amenities and great trees. There are benches and tables near the western end as well as a drinking fountain. The play area itself is shaded in the afternoon and has a surface of wood chips. All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground.
Summerdale Park is a tiny pocket park with a small playground. The play structure is relatively small with a couple of slides; there is a set of climbing/traversing elements connected to the main structure. The site is very barebones - just wood chips and some wooden benches - although it is quite shady. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed.
Sumac Park is a small neighborhood park with a great playground. The small playlot contains a small structure for younger children. There is also a somewhat non-traditional set of climbing elements for older children (think climbing nets and metal structure and not traditional ladders and slide). There are also a few interactive panels set low to ground for imaginative play for a variety of ages. The playground is heavily shaded by large trees and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches and a drinking fountain as well making this a comfortable spot to stop and play.
Strohacker Park is a moderate sized neighborhood park with a nice playground on the northern edge. The playground is divided into two main sections - one for younger children and one for older - with a water spray feature between them. Both sections feature modern and standard equipment including slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars. The water spray area features recently updated elements including the 'loch ness mister' and misting poles.
The non-play elements are standard but nice - there are some wooden benches around both play areas (though there could be more seating) and the play surface is wood chips. Both sections get good shade and a park building should provide access to bathrooms and a drinking fountain (when open). All in all, this is a good neighborhood playground.
This playground - one of two in Stout Park - is located in the southeast corner and is designed for older children. There are some swings - belt seat and adaptive with harness - and a four person see-saw as well as a large play structure. The structure includes a vertical climbing net, corkscrew slide, curved slide, and other climbing elements. The play surface is wood chips and the play area is enclosed (and opens to the rest of Stout Park). There are some benches built into the low perimeter walls for seating and large trees provide some shade.
