Near North Side

The playground at Montgomery Ward Park is a gem. There are two traditional play structures. The smaller structure is quite small for younger children and the larger structure is designed for older children but is still rather low to the ground and safe for younger climbers. There are also two large, standalone rope net climbing elements on either side of the park. Lastly, there is a large set of standard swings, a rail slide built into terrain of the park, and a few standalone elements. Oh - there is also a water spray feature: a triple overhead sprayer. The amenities of this playground are solid too. The play area is fully enclosed and the surface is soft rubber. There are picnic tables (under shade umbrellas!) and many small, concrete cubes that can be used for seating (though, strangely, no benches that I can recall). The playground is bright and sunny without much shade though there are lots of trees in the grassy areas surround the playground. All in all, this is great playground; highly recommend.

Stanton Park contains a wonderful and sprawling playground featuring a huge variety of elements and some great amenities. There is a smaller structure for younger children, two net climbing elements, and a huge play structure for older children that sprawls on the ground and towers vertically. There is also an above average selection of swings and a small water spray feature. In my opinion, the location is both odd and wonderful - the playground is located in the middle of Stanton Park near the Skinner Classical School and the large fieldhouse/natatorium making the location surprising quiet and removed from traffic. The play site opens directly to the rest of the park (i.e. isn't fenced in) and the play surface is wood chips. The north end of the playground is fairly shady while the south end is quiet sunny (though large umbrellas over some picnic tables provide some shade). All in all, this is a wonderful playground and definitely worth a visit; 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.

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 at Lake Shore Park is a great playground in Streeterville. There is a small and simple play structure for younger children and a much larger structure for older children with a few slides, climbing elements, and more. There is also the standard set of Chicago Park swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat). The play area is fully enclosed and features great views of Lake Michigan (although the views are over the often jammed DuSable Lake Shore Drive...). The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches for seating. There are some trees that provide some shade and this playground is next to the fieldhouse for bathroom access. All in all, this is a great playground with great views.

The playground at Goudy Square Park reflects it's location in Chicago's Gold Coast: luxurious. The current playground equipment was installed in 2014 and was made by the company KOMPAN; it has distinctive bold geometric patterns and large elements meant for traversing and climbing. There is a large and sprawling play structure intended for older children including a few slides, a large twisted climbing net, some monkey bars, and other elements. There is also an area dedicated to younger children with a smaller play structure and a play car. Lastly, there is the standard set of swings and a few sculpted animals scattered through the play area. The other features of this park include, according to the Park District website, "ornamental metal fencing, period light fixtures, brick paths, and a limestone and bronze drinking fountain with a turtle, frog and fish produced by Walter Arnold" - luxurious indeed. The play surface is mostly soft rubber with some low walls and plantings around the perimeter. The play area is fully enclosed and somewhat shaded by large trees and there are lots of benches throughout the playground.

The playground in Durso Park was renovated in the last few years and features new equipment with elements suitable for a wide range of children. There is a large play structure for older children featuring a few slides and climbing elements as well as interesting overhead elements like a curving set of monkey bars and an overhead slider. The play structure for younger children is considerably smaller but very clean and modern. There are a few additional standalone elements as well as the standard set of Park District swings. The playground is fenced from the street but is not fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and a few large trees providing some shade.