The playground in Wicker Park is great. There are two large areas - one for older children and one for younger - as well as a small water spray feature. The area for older children features a large and sprawling play structure with a variety of climbing elements and slides. The area for younger children is quite small and features a small structure with two slides. The water spray feature are two misting bears that provide a gentle mist of water and are very cute. There are also two sets of swings with the standard Park District options.
The other amenities of the park are also very solid. The playground is fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain in the play area and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). There are even some trees that provide some shade throughout the day. All in all a great playground; highly recommend.
Western Park - located on the east side of Western Avenue - is a small park with a decent playground. There is one large play structure that sprawls on the southeast corner of the site with a variety of slides and climbing elements. Beyond this structure, there is a set of swings and a few standalone elements. The playground - shaded by a large tree - offers some standard amenities like a wood chip play surface and a few wooden benches. It is fully enclosed from the street - though this stretch of Western Ave is quite loud and busy making for a louder than average playground experience.
This small playground is located in Washtenaw Park and features a large play structure suitable for older children, a few standalone elements, and a simple water spray feature. The play area is fenced but not fully enclosed and the play area is sunny with wood chips as the main play surface.
The playground at Walsh Park is a great playground that has two wonderful and unique structures. There is a huge play structure consisting of two towers that are connected by a fully enclosed rope net bridge. The climbing elements are all inside the towers and each tower has a large curving tube slide so while there is no chance of a high fall from the tall structures, it still takes courage to climb and cross them (for child and for parent!). The second structure is harder to describe but resembles a dome with rope netting on the exterior with a variety of climbing elements inside. This is slightly smaller but still a challenging elements for kids who like to climb. Finally, there are some swings (toddler, adaptive, and hammock-style saucer swings), a small curving climbing wall, and a unique pipe drum musical element.
There is also a water spray feature in this playground! Small jets of water spout from the ground for a duration of time after a button is pressed. This water feature is quite integrated into the play area (i.e. hard to keep kids away) so probably good to plan accordingly.
This playground is located at the eastern end of the 606 trail and despite it's central location actually seems quite removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. That being said, it's also a very popular playground that is used by school and camps groups so it can get crowded. The play area is not fully enclosed but it is fenced from the street. There are large, flat rocks set around the area as benches as well as two picnic tables for seating. The play area itself is bright and open though there are trees dotting the area for some shade and the play surface is wood chips.
All in all, this is a great playground - especially for somewhat older children - and definitely a worthwhile destination.
Violet Park is a small neighborhood park with a large playground structure, two sets of swings, and a water spray feature. The playground structure is quite large and contains a few slides, climbing elements, overhead elements, and traversing elements. The swings sets are standard for Chicago parks and the water feature is a standard 'four sprayer.' Large trees on the west side of the play area provide some shade and there are also a few benches for comfort. The play surface is wood chips and the play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed.
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 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!
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.
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.
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.
The playground at Ellen Gates Starr Park is a nice playground with a water spray feature. The play structure is moderate in size and features a few slides and a few overhead elements. There are are a few standalone elements, a set of swings, and a "triple shower sprayer" water spray feature. Aside from the play elements, this site includes a drinking fountain, a few benches, and a few trees providing some shade. The play surface is wood chips and the play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed.
The playground takes up the entirety of Snapping Turtle Park and offers a large play structure with two slides and some unique climbing elements. There is also a small set of swings at the back of the site. The playground is fully enclosed and the main play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain as well as some large trees that provide some shade.
This large playground is located on the east side of Skinner Park and and features a water spray feature, an area for younger children, a huge area for older children, and the normal variety of swings. The area designed for older children is particularly large and there are several mosaics and a large climbing animal (a dragon!) that make this playground stand out from others. There are benches and a few picnic tables in the fully enclosed play area and the play surface is soft rubber.
The playground at Simons Park features a variety of swings (toddler, molded bucket, belt, and tire) and a large play structure with a wood chip base. There is also a standard water spray feature next to the playground as well as a few benches and a drinking fountain in the play area.
Sheridan Park is a large park with many active recreation options and a nice playground located near the southwest corner. This playground is named the Joseph M. Esposito Playground after a police officer and community leader in the Little Italy neighborhood. The play area is fully enclosed and features a soft rubber play surface. There are two play structures - both are relatively small and would be suitable for younger elementary school ages children. There are a few benches and the amenities of Sheridan Park - including bathrooms and drinking fountains in the field house - are nearby. All in all, this is a nice playground in a great setting; highly recommend.
Shedd Park features a solid playground and water spray feature. The playground consists of a large, sprawling play structure for older children and a set of smaller equipment with a fire truck theme. There is also a variety of swings at Shedd Park: toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and tire. The water spray feature is a pair of "snake sprayers." The playground gets some shade from nearby trees and there are a few benches for seating. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open) and the park features views of trains. All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground.
St. Louis Park features a solid playground and a small water spray feature. There is a single large play structure with a few slides that sprawls over the wood chip covered play area with connected traversable and overhead climbing elements. There is also a small water spray feature - a 'four sprayer' - located in the corner of the site as well as the standard Chicago Park swing set.
The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. There are a few trees on the eastern edge of the site but the play area is bright and sunny for most of the day. There are a few benches (and the low perimeter wall around the play area provides additional informal seating) but additional benches or picnic tables would be a welcome addition.
Located near the northeast corner of Piotrowski Park, this playground features two play structures and a set of swings. The larger play structure is accessible via a ramp and includes a variety of slides, climbing structures, and play elements. The other structure is much smaller and is designed for younger children. Lastly, there is a sizeable set of swings with Chicago Park standards: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat.
The setting and amenities are above average as well. There is plenty of seating (benches and a picnic table) as well as a drinking fountain in the play area. Large trees provide partial shade around the play area which is a soft rubber surface. The playground is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and opens directly into the rest of the park. The fieldhouse directly to the west should provide access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a great playground in a great setting. Highly recommend!
This playground sits in Park 578 just north of the United Center and features some interesting and unique playground equipment. Although the equipment is modern, the metal climbing structure with the colorful art on the top, the climbing structure shaped like a rocket ship, and a unique swing give this playground a unique and somewhat retro feel. There is also an area for younger children, a misting water spray feature, and a large climbing net structure. There are also several other standalone features scattered throughout the park. The play surface is wood chips and while the concrete borders provide a place to sit, additional benches and improved landscaping that could create some shade would make this space more comfortable.
The playground at Park 574 was designed by the firm site design in 2014 and features unique play elements set into a small hill. There is not a standard play structure but instead a series of connected standalone elements including a zipline* with circular seat, spinning elements, and a variety of net/rope climbing elements. A highlight of the park is perhaps the longest playground slide in any Chicago Park - a 22 foot slide set directly into the hill.
The surface is soft rubber that is mounded and sculpted in places enhancing the play area. There are amenities like picnic tables and a drinking fountain but one amenity sorely lack is shade: this park is in full sun all day. There is also a small water spray feature just south of the playground near the southeast corner of the park.
[Aside: on both of my visits (2021 and 2022) the Zipline was broken. Historical Google streetview images (2015-2021) never shows an operational Zipline.]
Officially known as "Park 551", this location is better known as "Fulton River Park" and features a nice, small playground on a terraced site. The playground features two play structures: a smaller one for younger children and a larger one for older children with a variety of slides and accessible by a ramp. There is also a small set of standard swings. The play area is fully enclosed and features a soft rubber surface. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain in the play area that is shaded by trees and neighboring buildings. This park is also near the Bloomer Chocolate Company (making it a great smelling park!) and near several active train lines (making it a great spot for kids that love trains!). All in all, a solid neighborhood park and playground.
Park 534 features a nice playground and water spray feature in the middle of the park. There is small swing set with two toddler swings and two belt seat swings and then two play structures. The smaller one is for younger children and features a couple of slides and climbing elements. The larger structure is quite large and sprawling with a few slides, climbing elements, and a variation of monkey bars. The larger structure is also quite accessible via ramps on both sides. The water spray feature includes two water spraying arches and a halo shower sprayer.
The playground is bright and sunny and is fenced from the street and opens into a large grassy space. The play surface is soft rubber and there are a few benches dotting the play area. All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground.
Park 519 is a tiny pocket park situated between an apartment building and a CTA pink line. On this tiny site there is a narrow play structure and a pair of swings. There are benches and a drinking fountain and very, very good views of trains.
Park number 500 is a uniquely shaped park with a decent playground. There is a single large play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements as well as a large swing set with an above average offering of swings: toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and tire swing. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are some nice, mature trees on the west side providing some shade and a bench for seating.
