Destination Playgrounds
One of the tags I've decided to use on this site is "Destination Playground." In deciding on that term, I considered a few alternative terms; I think surveying those rejected options might help illustrate my approach and goals in this project.
- Early attempts used terms like "Good" or "Great." I rejected these terms because they seem to suggest that other playgrounds are "Bad" playgrounds. While wanting to be able to explore inequality within the city, I didn't think it would be helpful or appropriate for me to label certain playgrounds as "bad" - even indirectly.
- I then considered terms like "Best" or "Best of the Best." This seemed like a way to highlight interesting or noteworthy playgrounds without indirectly commenting on the others. However, over the course of the project, I realized I was giving about 25% of playgrounds this distinction. So it didn't feel like the best term.
In the end, I settled on the term "Destination Playground." Google defines "destination" (adj) as 'a place that people will make a special trip to visit' which seems aligned with one of my hopes for this project: to identify interesting playgrounds across the city of Chicago that are worth visiting.
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63rd Street Beach PlaygroundThis playground, situated on the 63rd Street Beach, reflects it's location with a strong nautical theme. The entire play structure is shaped like a ship and is equipped with a steering wheel, tall mast, and even canons! This playground is fully integrated with the beach and is therefore not enclosed, in full sun, and the play surface is - of course - sand. This creates a unique play experience and offers some great views of Lake Michigan. -
Ada Park - PlaygroundThe playground in Ada Park is located in the northwest corner of the park and features a large play structure suitable for older children. There are several large slides and challenging overhead elements as well as a few climbing and traversing features. There are two sets of swings with the standard Chicago Park options (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat). There is a water spray feature nearby - but it is integrated with the pool and not the playground. The play area opens to the park but is fenced from the street. There are benches and a picnic table and the wood chip covered play area is heavily shaded by large, mature trees. All in all, a solid playground. -
Adams (George & Adele) Park - PlaygroundAdams Park has a great sandbox, large playground structures and swings, and a huge water spray feature in a comfortable and quiet environment; these features combine to make Adams Park a destination. The large sandbox has a sun shade umbrella overhead. There is a smaller play structure for younger children and a much larger, somewhat accessible play structure for older children. There are the standard varieties of swings and a see-saw as standalone elements. And the water spray feature is huge and features many different spray elements. The play area is fully enclosed and has a soft rubberized surface. There are a few benches scattered throughout the area and picnic tables tucked away at the south end of the park. The only downside of this park is that it is quite popular and that sometimes the water spray feature is reserved for groups enrolled in Chicago Park District programming and is therefore not accessible to the general public. Even with these downsides, this is a great destination playground for kids in Chicago. -
Algonquin Park - Playground ParkAlgonquin Park is a small neighborhood pocket park in the middle of a quiet street with a great playground. There are two play structures (one for younger kids and the other for older) that features the standard slides and climbing elements. There are a few standalone elements like a see-saw and 'things on a spring' as well as a set of swings near the back of the site. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches, a picnic table, and a drinking fountain in this bright and sunny park. In my mind, this is a perfect neighborhood playground; highly recommend. -
Amundsen Park - PlaygroundThe playground in Amundsen Park is a good playground with four areas: a smaller structure for younger children, a set of swings, a larger structure for older children, and a water spray feature. The larger structure is low to the ground and accessible via a ramp with a few sprawling elements low to the ground. The non-play features are also good: the play surface is soft rubber and there are benches for seating. There is some shade from trees and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a great playground; highly recommend. -
Anderson (Louis) Park - PlaygroundAnderson Park is a small park with a great little playground. The playground is somewhat standard but is also wonderful. There is a single large play structure with a few slides, climbing elements, and plank bridge (thought, strangely, no monkey bars). There is a standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and 'four sprayer' water feature. The setting is wonderful - sharing a site with two public schools and a fieldhouse - and it gets wonderful shade from the large, mature trees towering overhead. There are benches and a drinking fountain and access to bathrooms (when the fieldhouse is open). All in all, this is a great little playground. Highly recommend. -
Archer Park - PlaygroundThe playground in Archer Park is a wonderful little playground. Set on the eastern side of the park, this site contains two structures and a large set of swings. There is also a nice water spray feature closer to the fieldhouse. The play area is removed from traffic and includes benches, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain. The surface is soft rubber and the equipment is modern and well maintained. Highly recommend. -
Arthur Telscer PlaygroundThis playground - one of 10 in Lincoln Park! - is named the Arthur Telscer Playground and features a play structure, sandbox, and water spray feature. The play structure is relatively small and is designed for younger children. The is also a collection of overhead and climbing elements nearby that should prove challenging to older children. There is also a set of swings with the Chicago Park standards - toddler, adapative, and belt seat - along with a few standalone elements including two animal sculptures. The water spray feature is a simple 'four sprayer' and there is a sandbox (usually with a few leftover sand toys). This playground is heavily shaded and fully enclosed with a few benches for seating. All in all, this is a solid playground; highly recommend. -
Avalon Park - PlaygroundThe playground in Avalon Park is located just south of 83rd Street and was renovated in 2016. The playground features two large areas - one designed for older kids and the other for younger kids - with a variety of modern equipment. The area for older children features unique net/rope climbing structures whereas the area for younger children features a more traditional play structure. Both areas include age appropriate swings and there are a few additional standalone elements. The playground itself is not enclosed but is removed from any street or parking lot. The play surface is wood chips but is set in a large grassy field and the entire area is very well shaded by large, mature trees. Although there is limited seating around the playground itself, there are benches and picnic tables in the immediate area. Furthermore, there is a dedicated water playground nearby as well. With modern equipment, plenty of shade and seating, and some great water features, this is a great playground. -
Barrett Park - PlaygroundBarrett Park is below street grade but the playground gets high marks! The playground itself features a large play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements as well as a set of swings. The playground is fully fenced in and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and a few trees provide shade. There is a Chicago Park fieldhouse but does not seem open. All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground. -
Bartelme Park - PlaygroundThe official Chicago Park website describes the playground like this: "The children's play area offers ADA accessibility that allows for inventive, non-linear play without traditional play equipment." Inventive, non-linear, and non-traditional are all great adjectives to describe this playground in the West Loop. The fully enclosed playground uses the rubber surface itself as a play element; there are steep inclines and valleys that invite play. Most of the elements are indeed non-traditional. While there are a few slides, there are no swings or monkey bars in this playground. Instead there is elaborate "jungle gym" structure made of belts of black rubber, a rope climbing structure, and a smaller structure for younger children. The play area is fully enclosed and there are several picnic tables that make this a comfortable playground in a new and beautifully landscaped park. -
Bauler Park - PlaygroundBauler Park is a small neighborhood park with a great playground. There is a single large play structure with lots of climbing options. The swing set contains the standards (a toddler swing, adaptive with harness, and belt seat swing) as well as the less common 'double swing' which is a single swing with a toddler seat and a belt seat. There is a really colorful overhead spinning element as well as a small playhouse kitchen. The playground amenities are solid. The play area is fenced from the street and the main play surface is wood chips. There are benches and picnic tables for seating as well as some shade from large trees. All in all, this is a great park; highly recommend.