Little Italy / UIC

Claremont Park features a great playground and a lot of shade. There is a large set of swings (with the standard offerings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat), a small traditional play structure for younger children, a collection of rope/net climbing elements, and a standalone metal climbing structure. Though last refurbished in 2012, this playground seems modern and is quite clean. The non-play elements are great: a drinking fountain, benches, picnic tables, and a ton of shade from the large trees around the play area. The fully enclosed play area features a soft rubber surface. All in all, this is a great playground; highly recommend.

This playground - one of two in Fosco Park - appears to be the main playground and features a large play structure and is next to a large water spray area. The playground itself includes a large and sprawling play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements - nothing too out of the ordinary but a really solid playground. The water spray area is fenced from the playground and features a few different spray elements. The non-play amenities are solid. There is a drinking fountain and benches for seating and the fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). The play area is fenced from the street and includes a soft rubber surface. Although there are some trees, the play area itself is bring and sunny. All in all, this is a great playground; highly recommend.

This playground - one of two in Fosco Park - is officially listed as a Chicago Park playground. However, my sense is that this facility is used primarily (or even exclusively) by the Fosco Park programs. and might not be open to the general public. At the very least, it was locked when I visited. This doesn't really matter too much, though, because the much larger playground just around the corner was more easily accessible and - honestly - better in most ways.

Garibaldi Park is a verdant city park with a small playground in the southeast corner. This playground, renovated in 2015, features equipment from the Burke company which, in my opinion, has an aesthetic akin to 1990s Nickelodeon. But all the basic playground elements are present: slides, swings, and climbing elements. The amenities are also basic; there are a few benches and a drinking fountain but not much else. The play surface is wood chips and the area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. All in all, this is a decent neighborhood playground in a nice setting.

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.

The playground at Miller Park is dino-mite! It's 'dino-mite' largely because there is a large set of "dinosaur steps" as part of the main play structure here (along with other slides and climbing elements). There is a tire swing but, interestingly, no other swings on this small site. There are a few other standalone elements but the large play structure is the main feature of this quiet and somewhat shady park. The play area is wood chips and although it is fenced from the street it is not fully enclosed. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain.