Edgewater

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.

Lincoln Park's northern most playground - called St. Andrews Playground according to the Chicago Park District website - was renovated in 2015 and features distinctive equipment. There are several large play structures: one for older children featuring an array of slides and climbing apparatuses that is connected to several traversable elements, there is also a smaller structure for younger children, and a large swing set with the standard variety of swings. There is also a water feature in this playground that is situated next to some benches and a picnic table. The play area is fully enclosed and receives some shade from nearby trees. The main play surface is wood chips though there is also a large and grassy perimeter. This is a solid playground option with lots of amenities if you don't mind the commotion of nearby DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

This playground - named the Max Pastin Playground - is in Lane Beach Park and features some solid playground equipment and great views of Lake Michigan. There are two play structures; the larger structure is for older children and is accessible via a ramp. There is also a standard set of Chicago Park swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The non-play amenities are solid. The play surface is soft rubber though the sand from the beach acts as a second play surface. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain and the play area is fully enclosed. This playground gets full sun in the morning and some shade in the afternoon and opens directly onto a sandy beach. All in all, a great playground; highly recommend.

D'Elia Park is a tiny neighborhood pocket park with a small playground. Designed for younger children, this site features an area with interactive panels, a see-saw, toddler swings, and a small play structure with a few slides. The site is a classic playground with a wood chip play surface shaded by large trees. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain near the entrance of the fully enclosed site. This is a wonderful little park for young children.

This playground in small Cedar Park packs a big punch: a large play structure for older kids, a separate smaller structure for younger climbers, new water spray features, and a few benches and picnic tables. The large play structure is notable because it includes a few climbing elements that are relatively unique in Chicago Park playgrounds. Parts of the large play structure can also be accessed via a ramp from the soft rubber play surface making this playground somewhat accessible. The water features are in the same fully enclosed play area and are both relatively gentle spray elements. The playlot is shaded by large trees and there are several benches and a picnic table for seating. This is a great smaller playground because it offers great equipment, water features, seating, and shade; highly recommend.

Bromann Park is a busy park on a busy corner of Chicago that fits a lot of equipment and amenities into a very small site. There is a standard set of swings, a collection of climbing/traversing elements, and a moderate size play structure accessible via a ramp. The amenities are solid: there are benches and picnic tables in the fully enclosed play area as well as a drinking fountain. The play surface is soft rubber and there is a lovely mural on the wall forming the north side of the park. All in all, this is a great little park - highly recommend.

Berger Park has a wonderful playground with views of Lake Michigan. There is dedicated area for smaller children close to the lake with a nautical theme and a larger structure for older children that is accessible via a ramp. This playground has a rubberized surface and the equipment seemed new and well maintained. There were plenty of benches and a few picnic tables. This is a great playground; highly recommend.