Hornbeam Park consists of a decent playground and a small water spray element. The playground consists of KOMPAN equipment - a modern and somewhat unique playground equipment maker from Europe. There is a collection of climbing elements, two large sets of swings, a small and traditional structure, and a few standalone elements. The water feature is a basic four sprayer.
The non-play amenities are standard: a few benches and a drinking fountain. The play surface is wood chips and the site is bright and sunny.
This playground features a play structure with a few slides, a large rope/net climbing structure, and a 'bloqx' (a geometric shape with climbing holds) as well as the standard set of Park District swings. The play area opens to the rest of the park and the nearby streets and sadly lacks benches (though low perimeter walls provide some informal seating). The surface is wood chips and some nearby trees provide some shade especially in the morning.
This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park - is located on the very north side of the park near the intersection of North Ave and Richmond. The centerpiece is a tall, tower-like two story play structure with an internal ladder and a long curved slide. There are a few other standalone elements, a set of monkey bars, and the standard Chicago Park swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat swings. Despite the solid play elements, the other amenities are somewhat basic: a wood chip play surface without much shade and no benches for seating (a low perimeter wall provides some informal seating and, somewhat strangely, there is a single picnic table just outside the enclosed play area). Despite the somewhat basic amenities, this is a solid playground.
This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park - is located in the northeast corner of the park just north of the Humboldt Park lagoon. This playground is also somewhat not traditional - there aren't standard toddler or belt seat swings or even a slide in the entire sprawling playground! Instead, there are a few non-traditional swings (one tire swing and a few saucer swings), a rope net climbing structure, a collection of rope net traverse elements, and an area with spinning elements. The centerpiece of this playground is a large water spray feature.
With the somewhat non-traditional elements are some solid amenities. There are a few benches and trees for seating and shade. The play area is fenced from the surrounding park and set away from cars and traffic creating a surprisingly quiet play experience in the busy city. And the play surface is the classic wood chips.
It's a solid playground; highly recommend.
This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park - is located on the west side of the park near Division and Kedzie. This playground is a great play area surrounded by trees and features a swing set, a small play structure for younger children, and a large, sprawling play structure for older children with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars.
The amenities are also quite nice. The play area is fenced from the street (though not fully enclosed) and nicely surrounded by mature trees. Inside the play area are a few benches and even a picnic table for seating. The play surface is soft rubber and the larger play structure is somewhat accessible by a ramp.
All in all, this is a solid playground with amenities to make it a comfortable place for the whole family; highly recommend.
This playground - one of five in Humboldt Park - is located on the southern edge of the park next to the Humboldt Park Pool. This playground features very modern equipment: a large curving climbing wall, a wavy black belt bridge, and a standalone 'rail slide.' These very non-traditional elements are balanced by the traditional set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a standard (if not boring) water spray feature. The amenities are also traditional: an enclosed play area with a wood chip surface and a few benches scatter about. Additional shade and seating would improve this playground, but it is adequate as is.
This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park! - is located off California on the eastern edge of the park and is a gem. There is a small, traditional play structure for younger children and then a massive collection of unconventional climbing elements for older children. There is also the standard swing set: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The play area is fully enclosed and features a soft rubber surface. There are benches and two picnic tables as well as a drinking fountain. This is a great playground; highly recommend.
This Jefferson Park is named for Nancy Jefferson (nurse, educator, and civic leader) and not Thomas Jefferson (president, author of the Declaration of Independence, slaver owner) as Chicago's other Jefferson Parks are named. This playground at this park was last renovated in 2013 and features brightly colored and modern play structures as well as an interesting 'spinning button.' An above average selection of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing) round out the playground elements. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and features a few benches for seating. The play area is covered in wood chips and shaded by large, mature trees. This is a solid neighborhood playground.
Thomas Jefferson Park - oddly, one of three 'Jefferson Parks' in Chicago! - is a quiet space tucked near downtown with a solid playground and water spray feature. The playground boasts two play structures - a small one for younger children and a larger one for older children) as well as a rope/net traverse feature and a few standalone elements. The water spray feature is a 'triple overhead sprayer' that is suitable for a variety of kids. There is also the standard set of Chicago Park swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat).
The amenities near this playground are also solid. There is seating - benches and a few picnic tables - as well as bathrooms and a drinking fountain. The play area opens to the rest of the park and is fenced from the street and the play surface is soft rubber.
Kedvale Park features a great playground with two large play structures, two sets of swings, and a water spray feature. Both structures are accessible by ramp and feature a variety of slides and climbing elements. The swings are standard for Chicago Parks and there is also a water spray feature for the summer month.
The play area is fenced from the street (but not fully enclosed) and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches and large, mature trees doting the play space providing some seating and shade. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open).
All in all, this is a wonderful playground with large play structures in a solid environment. Highly recommend.
Keeler Park is a narrow neighborhood park with a small play structure, a unique standalone climbing element, a see-saw, and two swings (one toddler and one belt seat). The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the surface is wood chips. There aren't any amenities at this site; that is there are not benches, picnic tables, drinking fountains, or any trees on this narrow lot.
Located in the northwest corner of the park, the playground at Kells Park features a large play structure with several slides and climbing elements as well as the standard set of Park District swings. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the surface is wood chips. There are a few benches near the bright and sunny play area.
The small Keystone Park playground is somewhat not-traditional - no standard swings! - but is an interesting playground nonetheless. The main climbing structure is made of rope netting and has platforms leading to a few slides. There are also two standalone elements: a large hammock style saucer swing and a conical climbing net that spins. There are a few benches and the fully enclosed play area is covered with wood chips.
This playground - one of two in La Follette Park - was locked when I visited in October of 2022. The fenced area included a large water spray area and a small playground with a single small structure and set of swings. Looking at Google Street View, it appears the water spray feature was renovated sometime in 2021 or 2022 (which might be related to the locked gate) but some signage or notice would have been appreciated.
This playground - one of two in La Follette Park - is located near the northwest corner of the park and is a somewhat standard Chicago Park playground. There are two structures - one for younger children and one for older children - and a standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat). Both play structures are modern and well-maintained and the larger one is accessible via a barrier-free ramp. The play surface is soft rubber and the playground is near a drinking fountain and the fieldhouse. The site could be improved by adding benches and/or picnic tables and by adding additional shade.
The playground at La Villita Park is a sprawling area with a number of different features. There is a large set of swings including toddler, adaptive, and belt seat swings. On the north end of the play area is a large mound of the rubberized surface with a series of rings and double straight sides. Next to that mound is a large, multifaceted climbing structure with rope netting and a variety of climbing elements. There is also a large collection of Kompan playground equipment that includes a lot of traversing and climbing elements. Lastly, there is a water spray feature with a variety of spray elements.
The playground itself is removed from traffic and fully enclosed from the rest of the park. The play surface is soft rubber and there are a few benches scattered in the enclosed play area. Although there are a few trees in the area, the play area is bright and sunny. This is a great playground; highly recommend.
Levin Park is a moderately sized park in the Austin neighborhood that still bears the design of Jens Jensen with two circular meadows in the middle of the park. One meadow includes a ball field and the other includes a playground. The playground is relatively standard and sprawls out without much height. There is a decent set of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing). The setting and non-play amenities are classic: a few benches around the playground shaded by large, mature trees. The play area is not enclosed but opens directly into the park and the play surface is wood chips.
Limas Park features a sprawling playground, two sets of swings, and a water spray feature. The play structure includes a few slides and climbing elements. The swings are the standard Chicago Park variety: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The water spray feature is another standard "four sprayer." The amenities are classic playground: just a few benches around a bright and sunny play area covered in wood chips.
Linden Park is a small park with a basketball court, playground, and water spray feature. The playground, last renovated in 2014, includes a large and sprawling set of equipment with bright neon colors. There is also a large set of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing) and the water spray feature is a basic 'four sprayer.' The non-play amenities are standard: a few benches around a play area with a wood chip surface.
The playground in London Park features a small play structure with lots of climbing and traversing elements as well as a few unique interactive panels. The playground is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips.
Magnolia Park is a small neighborhood park with a large playground and small water feature. There is a single, large play structure with a variety of climbing elements (rope/net elements, a horizontal wavy ladder, among others) and a few slides. There is also a standalone see-saw and the standard Park District swings divided between two swing sets. The water feature is a simple 'four sprayer' with four jets of water from angled spouts on the ground. The play area, with a surface of wood chips, is fenced from the street and neighboring lots but it not fully enclosed. A low perimeter walls provides some seating but benches or a picnic table would be a welcome addition to this site. There are some large trees that provide shade throughout the day but the playground is bright and sunny most of the day.
Maplewood Park is a wonderful neighborhood park with a new fieldhouse, a large ball field, and a wonderful soft-surface playground. The playground has two main play structures - an accessible and large structure for older children and a smaller one for younger children - and a small set of swings.
The non-play amenities are solid; there is a drinking fountain (with a water bottle filler!) and a few benches surrounding the play area. The new fieldhouse (opened in 2019) is a beautiful facility and provides access to bathrooms (when open). To me, this park is everything a neighborhood park should be; highly recommend.
Mason Park is a small neighborhood park with a playground and water spray feature. The playground, renovated in 2014, features a single large play structure with several curving slides and a unique 'platform bridge' among other elements. There are also a few standalone elements and a variety of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing). The water feature is slightly south of the playground and features a set of geysers from the ground. While not fully enclosed, the park is fenced from the street and although most of the park is shaded by trees the playground itself is bright and sunny. There are a few benches and the playground's low perimeter wall provides some seating. There is a drinking fountain near the north edge of the playground and the play surface is wood chips.
Miami Park, situated on the corner of 28th and Trumbull, features a great little neighborhood playground. The single play structure is accessible by a ramp and features a variety of slides and climbing features. There is a small set of swings at the back of the site, a four person see-saw, and a little 'horse on a spring' - this site packs a lot of equipment into a small site. The playground is fully enclosed and features a soft rubber play surface. There are benches and trees for seating and shade as well as a drinking fountain for water. This is a classic neighborhood playground; highly recommend.
