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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
