Douglas

Anderson 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.

This playground - one of two in Dunbar Park - is a great playground for a climber. Most of the equipment in this playground uses cables and nets for the main climbing structures and is therefore somewhat unique among Chicago playgrounds. Although there are limited options for young children, older climbers will likely enjoy the challenge of the two large climbing structures, rope bridge, and single curved slide.

This playground - one of two in Dunbar Park - is a shady oasis in the city. This playground features an area for younger children, a large area for older children, swings, as well as a water spray feature for the summer months. The surface is a soft rubber and there are plenty of benches around the perimeter of the fully enclosed play area. Mature trees to the south create a comfortable shade on summer days. Highly recommend this playground.

This modern playground on the lakefront features an enclosed play area with dedicated spaces for younger and older children. In addition to standard swings and slides, this playground boasts some interesting elements including a twisting rock climbing wall, a large curved slide set into the landscape, and a roller slide. Even though this playground is just steps from the 31st Street Beach, there are two water elements with gentle sprays designed for younger children. There are plenty of benches within the enclosed play space and an interesting and accessible area further south with more benches, picnic tables, and benches. One of the best playgrounds in Chicago.

Set in the northeast corner of Lake Meadows Park is a solid playground designed for a variety of ages. There is a very small play structure for younger children and a then a large, sprawling structure for older children. The larger structure includes a few slides, climbing elements, traversing elements, and a variation on monkey bars. There are also two swing sets with the standard Chicago Park varieties: toddler, adaptive with harness, and belt seat swing. The other elements of this park aren't novel but are classic playground features. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and opens to the rest of the grassy park. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches for seating. Trees provide some shade but the playground is bright and sunny. The site does offer great views of the trains passing on the train tracks to the east. All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground.

This playground - south of the intersection of 27th and Federal Street - is likely a 'shared site' between Williams Park and Drake Elementary (the local signage was not clear). Regardless, this is a shady site with some wonderful playground equipment. The play area is fully enclosed and features a soft rubber play surface.