Millard Park features a basketball court and a playground last renovated in 2013. The playground includes a large play structure from Kompan and a set of swings making it a somewhat modern version of a very traditional playground: one slide, a few climbing elements, and basic swings. 'Traditional' could also describe the amenities: wood chips and a wood bench and not much else. The building to the south provides some shade but there isn't much shade on this site otherwise.
The playground at Miller Park is dino-mite! It's 'dino-mite' largely because there is a large set of "dinosaur steps" as part of the main play structure here (along with other slides and climbing elements). There is a tire swing but, interestingly, no other swings on this small site. There are a few other standalone elements but the large play structure is the main feature of this quiet and somewhat shady park. The play area is wood chips and although it is fenced from the street it is not fully enclosed. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain.
Moore Park features a nice playground and small water spray feature. The playground is fully enclosed and includes a small structure for younger children, a collection of climbing elements for older children, and a set of swings (toddler and belt seat). The water spray feature is two water spray arches located just outside the playground area. The non-play features are very nice: benches and picnic tables for seating, a drinking fountain, access to the park district building (when open), with a soft rubber play surface. There isn't much shade in the play area - but this is still a solid playground. Highly recommend.
I would say the playground in Ninebark Park is a unique playground with somewhat strange and non-traditional elements. However, in visiting this location, I spoke with a neighbor who hated the equipment at this park and I'm going to honor that interaction with this review. This neighbor complained there weren't any slides at the park - and she is right! There isn't a traditional structure at this park but rather a collection of climbing elements. The only standard elements were the swings and the simple 'four sprayer' water feature.
The non-play amenities are basic: a few benches and a play surface of wood chips for a bright and sunny site.
The Ohio Park playground features a large play structure, a few standalone elements, a small set of swings, and a water spray feature. The play structure is quite large and features a few different slides and climbing elements. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. A low perimeter wall provides some seating but the site would be improved with benches or picnic tables. The site is also in full sun all day without trees or structure for shade.
The playground at Ohio & Harding Park is a decent playground with a sprawling play structure, a few standalone elements, and the standard set of swings. The play structure never gets very high but instead spreads out and offers a variety of slides and climbing elements. The swings at the rear of the site are standard for Chicago Parks: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat.
The play area is somewhat shaded by large trees and is fenced from the street (but not fully enclosed). The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches for seating and a drinking fountain nearby.
Park 399 is a tiny neighborhood pocket park with a small playground and water spray feature. The playground equipment is somewhat dated - the current equipment has been in place since at least 2007 - but the play area seems well-maintained and well-loved. There are a few swings - toddler and belt seat - near the rear of the site and a single pole water spray feature near the entrance. The non-play amenities are decent - there is a drinking fountain and a few benches in the fully enclosed play area with a soft rubber surface. All in all, this is a fine neighborhood playground.
Park 422 - tucked between a CTA bus garage and an entrance ramp to the Eisenhower Expressway - provides the neighborhood with a small playground and water spray feature. There is a single play structure with a few slides and climbing elements as well as swings and a see-saw. To the west, there is a large circular spray area with water spraying sea animals. The play area is mostly (but not fully) enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches in this bright and sunny park.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.]
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
