The playground in Sherwood Park is located on northeast corner of the park and features and area for older children, an area for younger children, and a water spray area. The larger area for older children features an accessible play structure with a few slides and climbing elements as well as some swings. The smaller area features, appropriately, a smaller play structure with a few toddler swings. And the water spray feature is a set of large, multicolored tubes in a separate area. The play area is fenced but not fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. However, during my visit in 2022 and according to years of previous streetview images from Google, this rubber surface is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. In total, the playground equipment and structures are interesting but the playground surface needs attention.
This small playground - one of three in Sherman Park - is located on the east side of the park near Racine Ave. It features a single play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements and is one of the few playgrounds without any swings. The play area is not fully enclosed but is fenced from both streets. The play surface is wood chips and large trees provide some shade throughout the day.
This playground - one of three in Sherman Park - includes the standard set of swings and a large play structure. The play structure includes a variety of elements including large curving slides and a few variations on monkey bars. The play area is fenced from the streets but not fully enclosed and the surface is wood chips. There aren't any benches but the low perimeter walls allow for some seating and nearby trees provide for some shade.
This playground - one of three in Sherman Park - is located in the northwest corner of the park. It features two play structures and some swings. There are also plenty of benches and a few trees in the area and, according to maps, there is a water spray feature as well.
* Note: when I visited (2022-04) the water feature was under construction and the playground needed some repairs. I plan to revisit.*
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.
Sheil Playground is a tiny playground on the busy Southport corridor with a strong baseball theme that features the Cubs logo and a chalkboard replica of the iconic green scoreboard. A new playground - consisting primarily of large, red metal arches - provides climbing structures as well as a smaller area for younger children. The play area is completely enclosed and features several benches and picnic tables.
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.
The playground at Shabbona Park is a large and sprawling set of elements diverse enough to appeal to a wide range of kids. There is a large play structure - accessible via a ramp - with two levels of play elements. There is a smaller structure for younger children, a large 'musical bar', and a large set of swings. There is also a water spray feature just south of the playground.
The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open) and there is a drinking fountain, picnic tables, and benches near the play area. The play surface is soft rubber and while the play area is not enclosed, it is set back from any street and the nearby parking lot. All in all, this is a great playground; highly recommend.
Renovated in 2022, the playground at Seward Park features two large and unique structures. One of the structures is a large, mostly spherical rope/net climbing structure with a few black belt patches in the interior and a few climbing and spinning elements connected. The other structure - vaguely reminiscent of the John Hancock Tower - is a large rectangular with a variety of ladders and climbing elements on lower half of the exterior and some climbing paths on the inside that lead to a large double straight slide and a massive 'double twisting corkscrew' slide. There are also two belt seat swings and a hammock style saucer swing and a small abstract play thing as the final elements of this playground.
The play area is tucked in a relatively quiet corner of Seward Park but is not fully enclosed from the streets or rest of the park. The area is heavily shaded by large trees and the play surface is wood chips. Strangely, although there are benches in many other parts of the park, there is no seating near the playground itself. The nearby Seward Park fieldhouse should provide access to bathrooms (when the building is open). Despite the lack of seating, this is a great playground and definitely worth checking out.
This large playground is tucked away on a quiet side street and contains an area for younger children, an area for older children, and a gentle spray water feature. The area for smaller children includes toddler swings, a four person see-saw, a clubhouse, and a small play structure. The area for older children includes a much larger play structure with a long, curved tube slide. There is also a large climbing net, a spinning feature, and the standard set of swings. The water feature is on during the summer months and offers a gentle mist. The surface is soft rubber and there are few benches and grassy areas. This playground is definitely worth checking out if you are in the area.
The playground at Senka Park is located on the eastern side of the park and seems well loved. The current equipment has been in place since at least 2007 and shows signs of its age. The playground has three main areas: an area for younger children with a traditional play structure and a play ship, an area for older children, an a water spray feature (not pictured in this review). The equipment is standard and offers a variety of slides, climbing elements, monkey bars, and swings.
The rest of Senka Park is quite nice with winding walking paths and several athletic fields. There is a large shade pavilion near the playgrounds (though the play areas themselves are quite bright and sunny). Additional seating - benches and picnic tables - would be a welcome addition. All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground but some improvements could transform this site into a true gem.
The playground at Seneca Park, named Schulman Playground, is an amazing and unique playspace in Chicago. The current play structures were installed in May of 2021 and they reflect a modern and contemporary feel - coincidental with the location near the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The fully enclosed play area features soft rubber surface that is molded and sculpted to be an actual play element in places and uses colors to divide the space into two halves. The northern half is designed for younger children but does not feature any single play structure but instead embeds elements directly into the surface. Slides, bridges, and a variety of steps are set low to the ground making them accessible to most and open-ended. There is also a set of the traditional toddler swings in this area.
The other half of the play area features unique and custom play structures designed for older children. The structures appear to reflect nearby structures - a fire station and the John Hancock building - and are somewhat enclosed spaces with a variety of climbing elements and a large tube slide. The enclosed nature sometimes makes tracking your children difficult - especially in a busy playground - but makes for a wonderful experience of discovery and surprise. There are also some other climbing and traversing elements connected these structures. Finally, there is a standalone hammock style saucer swing and a trampoline element on this side of the play area.
The play area is fully enclosed and the main play surface is soft rubber. There are a few large stones designed to be used as benches throughout the space. Although shaded by neighboring skyscrapers, the play area itself isn't shaded by trees and can be bright and sunny. This is a great playground and definitely a destination.
The playground in Scottsdale Park is tucked into the shady northwest corner of the park. This playground features a medium-sized play structure, a string of connected climbing/traversing elements, and the standard Chicago Park District swings. The play area is fenced from the street but is not fully enclosed. The play area is heavily shaded by trees and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches under a shade pavilion as well a drinking fountain. The nearby fieldhouse should provide bathroom access (when open).
Schreiber Park is a small neighborhood park with a fieldhouse, water spray feature, and playground. The playground features a large and accessible structure for older children and a smaller structure for younger children. There are a few standalone elements and the standard Chicago Park selection of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat). The water spray feature is a triple shower sprayer.
The setting is nice with some grassy areas and large trees. The non-play amenities are also nice; the surface is soft rubber and there are a few benches and a drinking fountain near the play area. The fieldhouse should provide access to a bathroom (when open). All in all, this is a great playground.
This small park features a playground with two play structures and a large set of swings. The smaller play structure is designed for younger children and the second, designed for older children, is much larger and features a few large slides and climbing elements. The swings are standard (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and there are a few standalone features to round out the playground equipment.
This small pocket park is tucked off the street and creates a somewhat cozy feeling. The play area is nearly completely enclosed and the main play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and trees for seating and shade and there is a drinking fountain near the entrance. All in all, this is a solid neighborhood park.
Set between the a quiet residential alley and a paved trail (called the Sauganash Line Trail, the Valley Line Trail, or the Skokie Valley Trail at various points) Sauganash Park features a solid playground. There is a smaller play structure for younger children and another area featuring a large semi-circular climbing net and suspended ring climbing structure. There is the standard set of swings and a little 'music area' with some musical panels. The play area is not fully enclosed but it is fenced from the alley. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables near the play area and large trees provide shade throughout the day. And the nearby field house provides access to bathrooms in this otherwise quiet location.
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.
Playground. Water spray feature. Train views. If your child loves one, two, or all of these things - the playground at Rutherford Sayre Park is for you. The playground is solid. The area for smaller children features a strong train theme that reflects it's location next to a train line. The larger structure isn't train-themed but is a solid structure that is accessible via a ramp. The water spray features are above average and include two "triple sprayers" and one "water arch."
The site is bright and sunny - though there are shady spots under nearby trees and some shade from a pergola near the entrance. The play area is fully enclosed and the surface is soft rubber. There are benches and picnic tables for seating and might even be access to a bathroom when the nearby fieldhouse is open. And - as mentioned earlier - there are train views. This is a great park and playground; highly recommend.
The playground in Russell Square Park is a gem. There are two separate areas - one for younger children and one for older - and both have large structures with interesting elements. In fact both have an abundance of slides - there is a total of (at least) seven slides between both structures. The area for older children also has a number of monkey bars and challenging climbing elements. The large structure also includes a ramp from the soft rubber surface so it is somewhat accessible to those using wheelchairs or strollers.
The site is also nice - slightly set back from the street with some good shade trees overlooking the large grassy expanse of Russell Square Park. There are also benches for seating and access to bathrooms when the fieldhouse is open. All in all, this is a great playground.
Located on the east side of Rowan Park, this playground features a large play structure and a standard set of swings. The large play structure is designed for older children and features a lot of tall slides, climbing elements, and a few traversing elements. The play area is not fully enclosed but is fenced from the street. There are lots of benches but sadly little shade near this playground. There is a water feature in Rowan Park - thought it is located on the south edge of the park near 116th and Avenue M.
Located in the northwest corner of Rosenblum Park, this playground features a huge rope/net climbing element, a large and accessible play structure with a variety of components, a standard set of swings, and a water spray feature. The play area is not enclosed but it is fenced from the street. The play surface is soft rubber and there are benches dotting the perimeter of the play area.
One of two playgrounds in Rosedale Park, the West Playground is a non-traditional playground that does not have slides or standard equipment; instead it contains a variety of climbing structures made of nets and cables and a large saucer swing.
One of two playgrounds in Rosedale Park, the East Playground contains swings, a four person see-saw, and a climbing structure with a ramp, a variety of climbing structures, and a corkscrew slide. This playground is shaded by mature trees and includes benches, picnic tables, and a small water spray element
