Neighborhoods

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.

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.

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.

Chase Park features a running track, outdoor pool, and a really great playground. The playground is located in the southwest corner of the park (Ashland and Leland) and features two main play structures as well as two sets of swings. The smaller play structure is designed for younger children and the larger is designed for older children; the larger structure is accessible via a ramp and sprawls outward with a few climbing and traversing elements. The non-play amenities are great. The entire play area is fully enclosed (important because Ashland is quite busy) and the surface is soft rubber. There are benches and picnic tables inside the play area with a drinking fountain just outside the gate and access to bathrooms via the fieldhouse to the north. There is also decent shade from the large trees surrounding the site. All in all, in terms of play equipment and amenities, this is a great playground; highly recommend.

The playground in Edison Park features a large play structure with the theme and logo of the Chicago hockey team. The large play structure features a variety of slides and climbing elements though no monkey bars or overhead elements. There is a standalone single rope traverse and a set of swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. It's a classic playground with a wood chip play surface, a few benches, and some afternoon shade from large trees. The nearby fieldhouse should provide access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, an interesting playground with a Chicago sports theme; highly recommend.

The playground at Eugene Field Park has two play structures, a set of swings, a water spray feature, and some above average amenities making it a great spot near the Chicago River. The large play structure features a ramp from the soft rubber surface making it accessible to people using a wheelchair. This structure isn't very tall but is somewhat sprawling with two variations of monkey bars attached as well as two slides. The other structure is quite small and is designed for younger children. The water spray feature includes two elements: two water loops that produce a gentle mist and 'triple shower sprayer' with a bit more intense spray. Both are set in a concrete area with a row of benches under a simple shade pavilion. In addition to benches, there are a few picnic tables in the play area. The play area isn't quite fully enclosed but is set back from the street and fenced from the nearest streets. The play surface is soft rubber and large trees provide some shade - especially in the afternoon and evening. All in all, this is a great playground with some solid amenities; highly recommend. Though not connected to this playground, the natural area just north of the North Branch (follow the pedestrian bridge near the fieldhouse) or the Nature Play Area a few blocks to the east are also worth checking out.

The playground at Gompers Park is located near Foster and Lowell and features some interesting play elements and a small and gentle water spray feature. There is a somewhat large play structure designed for younger children on one side of the play area and a collection of climbing/traversing elements on the other side for older children. There is a standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) as well as a few standalone elements. The water spray feature features a large pole with a gentle shower spray and smaller misting loops somewhat reminiscent of the Loch Ness Monster. The play surface is soft rubber; this surface is mounded in a place that makes the surface a play element. Additionally, there are a few concrete structures - a bench near the mound covered in soft rubber and a collection of concrete cylinders and metal poles that are unique features of this playground. The play area is fully enclosed (a must considering it's close proximity to Foster Ave) and there are benches, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain in the shaded play area. All in all, this is a great playground; highly recommend.

Quiet Green Park features a playground with a large structure, swings, and a sand play area. The play structure is large but not too challenging and features four different slides and a few climbing options. There is the standard Park District swings (toddler, adaptive with harness, and belt seat) as well as a few standalone elements. There are also two sandboxes with a scooper and small sand play table. Situated on quiet residential streets, this playground is not enclosed or fenced from the street (though it is fenced from the nearby train tracks) and opens directly into a small grassy area with large mature trees. The play surface is wood chips (except in the sand boxes, obviously!). There are a few benches and a picnic tables for seating in this shady park. It is also next to a set of train tracks which makes it great for kids who like trains. All in all, the playground at Green Park is a standard neighborhood playground in the best sense of the phrase located in a quiet neighborhood; highly recommend.

To quote Shakespeare: "What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet." I turn to the Bard to say that - despite this name Gross Park is not gross. In fact, it is quite nice. There is a single sprawling play structure that is accessible by ramp with elements for a range of children. There are also a few standalone elements - including a play dinosaur - and the same set of swings (toddler and belt seat only). The non-play amenities are great. Some large trees give shade throughout the day. Ample seating in the form of benches and picnic tables. A drinking fountain and a small fieldhouse which should provide access to a bathroom (when open). And a soft rubber play surface in a fully enclosed park. Lots of things make this a comfortable place to spend a morning; highly recommend.

The playground at Indian Boundary Park is unlike most other playgrounds in Chicago and is an amazing place space. The structure is one of the few wooden playgrounds in Chicago (the other being Dorothy's Playground in Oz Park) and presents a sprawling and labyrinthine structure for kids to explore. This site can be crowded and it might be difficult to keep track of your child, but this is still a great playground to explore. The water spray area isn't as interesting or picturesque but is still an welcome amenity to the park. The non-play amenities of the park are also great. There are picnic tables near the playground that perfect for a snack or a picnic in the park. There is a lagoon with animals, a fieldhouse with bathrooms and drinking fountains, and a nature play area. So in many ways, this is a wonderful park. It is, of course, also problematic. The park is called "Indian Boundary" because of the line created by an 1816 treaty between the United States and Native American tribes and both the playground and the park building feature Native American themes and images that are problematic. So what to do with a great park and playground with some potentially difficult questions? I do not know, but one answer for our family has been to engage! We have enjoyed the park, lagoon, and playground and we talk to our children about this history and these issues.

Jefferson Park is a large park with a variety of athletic fields, a pool, and a nice playground with a water spray feature. The playground features a large structure (accessible via a ramp) for older children and a smaller structure for younger children. There is the standard Chicago Park set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a single pole water sprayer. The non-play amenities are nice; there are plenty of benches and a drinking fountain around the soft surface play area. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open) and there is a pool at this park as well. All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground; highly recommend.

Langdon Park is a moderately sized neighborhood park with two play structures from the Kompan playground company. There is a large structure for older children and a slightly smaller structure for younger children as well as a set of swings. The setting for this park is nice; on a quiet residential street near the Metra tracks make for a quintessential Chicago Park setting. The non-play amenities are standard; there are a few benches and a drinking fountain in the fully enclosed play area with a play surface of wood chips. This is a good park with some unique equipment; highly recommend.

Renovated in 2015, the playground at Bell Park features modern equipment and a small water spray feature. There is a small structure for younger children and a larger structure for older children. There are also a few standalone elements including a zip line with a circle seat, a four person see-saw, and the standard Chicago Park swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat). The water spray feature includes a large overhead element and two small water sprayers. The non-play elements are great: benches, a picnic table, drinking fountains, access to bathrooms via the park district building (when open), and some shade. The play surface is wood chips and the playground is set back from the street (but not fully enclosed). All in all, this is a great playground; highly recommend.

The playground at Blackhawk Park includes two play structures and two sets of swings. Divided by age group, the area for younger children includes a standard small play structure, a set of low monkey bars, and toddler swings. The other area includes a larger structure with larger slides and more advanced climbing elements including circular monkey bars and other swings. Both area are covered in wood chips and there are a few benches and picnic tables scattered in the general area for seating. The fieldhouse is located near the playground for bathroom access (when the building is open). A standard Chicago playground in the best sense of the term.

The playground at Chopin Park is a great little playground. There are three areas at this site: one area with toddler swings and some small standalone elements, another area with belt seat swings and a large play structure, and finally a water spray area. The large play structure features a number of slides and climbing elements. The water spray feature seems somewhat dated - a single water sprayer surrounded by concrete - but the shade pavilions and benches offer some nice amenities. The main play surface is wood chips and there is a drinking fountain as well as access to the fieldhouse building. All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground and a worthwhile destination; highly recommend.

Dickinson Park is a small triangular park in a quiet residential neighborhood with a playground and water spray feature. The playground is a single large structure suitable for a range of ages (and accessible via a ramp!) with a variety of slides and climbing elements. There are the standard Chicago Park swings and a nice 'triple shower sprayer' water spray features. The play area is fenced from the street and features a lot of benches and a drinking fountain around the soft rubber play surface. This is a great neighborhood park.

Dunham Park is a large neighborhood park with several athletic fields, a fieldhouse, an accessible playground, and small water spray feature. The playground features a large accessible play structure for older children and a smaller structure for younger children. There is the standard Chicago Park set of swings and a small water spray feature. The location in a quiet residential neighborhood with large trees makes for a great setting. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches and a drinking fountain and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a great neighborhood park.

The playground at Hiawatha Park features modern play elements and tons of amenities. The playground itself features modern elements with lots of 'low to the ground' climbing and traversing elements including a wavy black belt bridge, semi-circular climbing net, and an interesting net funnel. There is a ramp leading to the only platform and the surface is soft rubber so this playground would be somewhat accessible to people using wheelchairs or people using strollers. Another accessible feature is a collection of interactive panels set at ground level accessible by everyone including very young children. There is also a variety of swings: toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and tire. Beyond the play equipment, there are benches, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain and a large sunshade making this a very comfortable play area. There is also a water spray feature located nearby and the Hiawatha Park field house a short ways away for bathroom access. The play surface is soft rubber and the play area is fully enclosed from the street and opens to a large grassy field. This is a great playground; highly recommend.

The Horner Park playground is - in a word - amazing. There are two play large play structures, a small zipline, a variety of swings, and a few other standalone elements that make this a destination playground. The smaller structure for younger children contains a few slides, tubes, and climbing features as well as a few interactive panels. The larger structure for older children is quite large; it features multiple platforms connected by various bridges and net/rope climbing elements and several slides. There is a small zipline with a hanging circle seat. There are a lot of swing options: toddler, molded bucket seat with a harness, belt seat, and a large standalone saucer swing. The play area itself is quite large and while it is fenced from the street it is not fully enclosed. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and picnic tables doting the perimeter for seating. The Horner Park fieldhouse is quite close and provides access to bathrooms. While this playground doesn't have everything (it lacks a water feature and could be improved with more shade) this playground is still amazing. This is definitely a destination playground. Beyond the playground, Horner Park is one of the largest parks in the area and includes a large hill that is perfect for flying kites or sledding; a free parking lot of California Avenue; and a walking path around the entire park perfect for walking, biking, or riding scooters. There is also a small (and I believe unofficial) nature play area south of the parking lot off California.

The playground at Independence Park has it all. There is a play structure for younger children that is accessible via ramp as well as a small playhouse and spinning saucer. There are two zip lines - one with a molded plastic seat with harness and the other with a circular seat. For older kids, there is a huge single mast climbing net that is connected to two other large play structures that each have other elements and large slides. And there are swings: toddler, belt seat, molded seat with harness, and hammock style saucer swings. The play area is not enclosed and the soft rubber play surface gets full sun throughout the day,. However, there are benches and drinking fountains near the play area as well as a picnic table for some comfort. There is also a water spray feature in the park - though it is a basic four sprayer feature located north of the pool off Irving Park so it's not directly adjacent to the play ground. All in all, this is a great playground and a worthy destination playground.

Kelvyn Park is a large neighborhood park with a great playground next to the fieldhouse. There is a single large structure with a few standalone elements and two sets of swings. The structure contains a number of slides, climbing elements, and a set of monkey bars. The non-play amenities are classic and standard: wood chips and benches with some shade. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms and a drinking fountain (when open). All in all, this is a great neighborhood park and playground. Highly recommend.

Mayfair Park is a small park with athletic fields, a basketball court, and a great playground and water spray feature. The playground is located near the southwest corner of the park and features two large structures, a set of swings, and a water spray feature. The larger play structure is accessible via a ramp and sprawls out with a variety of slides and climbing elements. The smaller structure seems designed for younger children and yet is also quite large. The water spray feature seems like an upgraded 'four sprayer' - there indeed four sprayer arranged in a circle but the surface is soft rubber and there is a 'halo sprayer' as well. An exceptional fact about this playground is that it was installed in 2007 (!) and yet the equipment and general feel is quite modern. The non-play amenities and setting are both first class. The play area is soft rubber and there are benches and picnic tables within the play area with a nearby fieldhouse providing access to bathrooms (when open). The site gets decent shade from the tall, mature trees and the play area is fenced from the street (although not fully enclosed). This is a first rate playground; highly recommend.

The playground in Merrimac Park is located in the northeast corner of the park and has a lot of modern features. The play surface is soft rubber that is mounded in spots making the surface itself a play feature. On top of that surface, there are several large climbing and traversing elements that are very modern including some large semi-circular climbing nets, rings and hanging steps, and a wavy black belt bridge. There is also a smaller play structure for younger children. There are a few standalone elements including a rail slide and a spinning seat as well as the more traditional varieties of swings (toddler, traditional, and molded bucket). There is also a water spray feature with a triple overhead spray element. There are a few benches and picnic tables as well as a large shade canopy making for a comfortable experience for all. Highly recommend this modern playground.

Parsons Park - named for Lucy Ella Gonzales Parsons who was a labor organizer and anarchist - features an interesting playground and water spray feature. The playground itself is somewhat sprawling; there is a set of swings near the entrance; a large, accessible play structure in the back corner of the site with a large triple slide; a single mast rope climbing elements; and a few more climbing elements and interactive panels on the eastern side of the park. The water spray features area include a 'loch ness mister' that may drain into a small stream. However, the water spray features were not on when I visited on a hot June day so I'm not sure about this... The site is fully enclosed and gets a fair amount of shade from a large umbrella, trees, and neighboring building. The surface is a combination of sort rubber and concrete with lots of rocks as well. There are a few benches and three small 'game tables' with checkerboard tops. If the water from the spray feature does indeed flow into the river bed, this would be an interesting and unique park worth a visit to see. Without this interesting water spray feature, however, this park is a relatively standard neighborhood park.

Adams 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 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.

This 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.

This playground - called "Cummings Playground" according to Park District signage - is located just to the west of Lincoln Park zoo on the west side of Lincoln Park and features a number of sculptures of animals fitting it's location. The playground has two distinct areas. One area features equipment for younger children and a large sand play area with a sand table and a few toddler swings. The main area features a number of elements for older children including a large play structure, a climbing net, a unique traversing element, and additional swings. The playground is fully enclosed and the play areas contains areas of grass, sand, and wood chips. There are a few benches and trees but this playground is relatively bright, sunny - and busy! - most of the day.

This park, named for Latin American poet Julia de Burgos, features just two pieces of playground equipment and a play sculpture that are connected to a theme of nature and bugs in particular. The sculpture is a spider and the large net climbing feature - the focal point of the park - resembles a spider web. The other play element is a climbing structure shaped like a butterfly. The setting is wonderful; this park is an access point to the Bloomingdale Trail (aka "The 606") and there is a painted mural on the embankment titled "Rompeolas: Homage to Julia de Burgos" that is worth checking out. There are benches and a drinking fountain. This isn't your traditional playground but it's definitely worth checking out; highly recommend.

This neighborhood playground is definitely a destination playground. The fully enclosed play area features a soft rubber play surface, an artificial turf field (with the Cubs logo befitting it's location close to Wrigley Field), several benches, and picnic tables covered by large shade umbrellas. The two play structures are both solid; one is designed for younger children and the other is designed for older children and features cues to famous Chicago skyscrapers at the tops. There is also a large net climbing feature and the normal variety of swings. The standout feature of this playground, though, are the water features. There is a three part overhead shower-like sprayer, a misting ring, jets coming from a mosaic wall, and an interactive water table. Given all the amenities, this playground is popular in the summer months and for good reason - this is a great playground.

The playground at Oz Park is a unique and wonderful space. Oz Park is named in honor of Lyman Frank Baum, the author of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and features statues of characters from the universe. According to the Chicago Park district website, the name of this playground - "Dorothy's Playlot" - references both the main character from "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" but also Dorothy Melamerson, a retired school teacher who donated money to park improvements. The massive play structure is one of a few wooden play structures within the Chicago Park District and while it features slides and swings, the massive, meandering, multi-level wooden structure is clearly the main feature of this space. It contains stairs and bridges and outlooks that children can explore independently (some of the spaces are quite small for some adult bodies). The play area is completely enclosed and heavily shaded by large trees. There are some benches and a small picnic table within the play area and additional picnic tables and a drinking fountain just outside one of the entrances. The play surface seems to be a soft rubber covered by artificial turf. This playground is truly a destination playground; highly recommend.

Renovated in 2022, the playground at Erhler Park is a gem. There are two large play structures with modern equipment as well as a small area with interactive panels for very young park goers. The two large play structures have a variety of slides - including a tube slide and a 'big slide!' - climbing elements, and monkey bars while maintaining a traditional playground look/feel. There are also two sets of swings with the standard Chicago Park offerings: toddler, adaptive with a harness, and belt seat. The setting is beautiful: there is a large row of trees on the southern edge of the park and the fully enclosed park opens onto grassy areas on both sides. There are benches and a drinking fountain and the play surface is newly restored soft rubber. It's a great playground; highly recommend.

Fellger Park is a small neighborhood park with a great playground and water spray feature. This gem of a playground has two main play structures - a larger structure for older children and a smaller structure for younger children - as well as many standalone elements: a see-saw, vehicles-on-a-spring, a clubhouse, and a play train. Rounding out the play elements are two sets of swings and a single pole water spray feature. The non-play amenities are stellar: the play area is fully enclosed and the main play surface is soft rubber. Large trees provide ample shade and there are benches and picnic tables for seating. This is a great playground - especially for younger children - and definitely a worthy destination.

This playground - designed by the firm Site Design - combines modern and traditional elements with a forest theme. Traditional elements like swings and slides are present though some traditional elements have a modern, natural twist: two logs positioned like a balance beam, wooden beams supporting climbing structures instead of the traditional metal beams, etc. Even the playground surfaces mix the modern and natural; the play area surface is a combination of wood chips and soft poured-in-place rubber that is sculpted into hills and mounds and the concrete paths are decorated in bold colors and geometric shapes. The play area is fully enclosed and there are few benches and picnic tables for seating and a few trees dot this otherwise sunny play area.

Haas Park is a wonderful park with a new fieldhouse, large soccer field, playground, and water spray feature. The playground has two large structures. One structure is designed for younger children and the larger structure is designed for older children and is accessible via a ramp. There is a wide variety of slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars as well as swing sets with the standard Chicago Park swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat). The water spray feature is in the same area as the playground and is a 'triple shower sprayer.' The play area is fully enclosed and is next to a new fieldhouse building that provides access to bathrooms (when open). There are also benches and a drinking fountain in the fully enclosed play area. The main play surface is soft rubber and large trees provide some shade throughout the day. All in all, this is a great playground; highly recommend.

The playground at Hamlin Park is a popular playground for obvious reasons: the massive play area is filled with a towering play structure and a variety of elements. The two-story play tower is the most noticeable, but there is also a smaller structure for younger children, a rope net climbing feature, and a few standalone elements at this site. There is also the standard set of Chicago Park swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The play area is fenced from the street and features a few benches around the wood chip covered play surface. The nearby fieldhouse should provide access to a drinking fountain and bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a great playground and a worthwhile destination.

The 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.

Barrett 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.

The 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.

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 Columbus Park - is unique within the city of Chicago. Described as a "boundless playground" by the Chicago Park District, this playground "is designed to provide access to play for all individuals.,, [and] all the equipment is specifically configured to allow for access and use by children and adults with a variety of special needs." Yet in many ways this unique focus isn't apparent by looking at the playground; it looks like a somewhat standard playground with some interesting elements. There are two main play structures. One is a smaller structure with a few slides and climbing elements. The larger structure is set somewhat into a hill and is fully accessible by children using wheelchairs. It features additional slides, climbing elements, and a unique variety of overhead elements. Within the semi-enclosed play area there is also a small water feature, sand play area, and a small meandering nature path (not to be confused with the larger "natural area" within Columbus Park). This play area is not fully enclosed but it is fenced from the street. The main play surface is soft rubber (expect the sand area) and there are a few benches in the play area. The play area is quite sunny (and honestly could benefit from additional shade and/or picnic tables). The last notable amenity is the parking lot directly south of the playground with designed handicap parking spots and a barrier free entrance to the play area. All in all, this is a large playground with a number of unique features that has been thoughtfully designed for a variety of users; highly recommend.

Commercial Club Park has a great playground with a unique and distinctive features - the most obvious one being a large, sculptural reptile embedded in the soft rubber surface. There are two play structures - one for younger children and a larger structure for older children - a small set of swings, and a water spray feature. The larger structure is sprawling and accessible via a ramp and the water spray feature is a somewhat standard triple shower sprayer. The non-play amenities are also great. The play area is fully enclosed with some shade and easy access to bathroom via the fieldhouse. There is ample seating with benches and picnic tables within the play area. And the play surface is soft rubber. For me, this playground checks a lot of boxes and is a worthy destination; 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.

The playground at Franklin Park is divided into two distinct areas - one for younger children and the other for older children. The structure for younger children features a small play structure with a small summit climber, conical climbing wall and small slide. There are also four toddler swings. The larger structure features two variations of monkey bars, three slides, and a few climbing and traversing elements along with standard swings (belt seat and adaptive). Both areas are fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and both have a play surface of wood chips. A water spray feature is situated just north of the playground and next to the Franklin Park outdoor pool and the park district building provides bathroom access during open hours.

The playground in Harrison Park is a massive and sprawling playground that is one of the best in Chicago. Located in the southeast corner of the park, the play area features several large play structures and a huge variety of swings. The smaller play structure is actually quite large and seems designed for younger children. The large play structure for older children is - in a word - huge. It is a sprawling collection of climbing elements, slides, and overhead challenges. The swing options are also huge: toddler, adaptive, belt seat, tire, and saucer. And there are additional standalone elements scattered throughout the huge play area. The play area is fenced from the street and opens into the rest of Harrison Park. The surface is largely wood chips though there are concrete sections with hopscotch and other games painted to the surface. There are a few benches (under the shade of a few trees!) and low perimeter walls provide additional seating. The play area does get some shade but is also sunny at times. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms and there is a drinking fountain nearby as well. This is not your typical neighborhood playground but instead a huge and sprawling playground paradise and a true destination; highly recommend.

This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park! - is located off California on the eastern edge of the park and is a gem. There is a small, traditional play structure for younger children and then a massive collection of unconventional climbing elements for older children. There is also the standard swing set: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The play area is fully enclosed and features a soft rubber surface. There are benches and two picnic tables as well as a drinking fountain. This is a great playground; highly recommend.

This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park - is located in the northeast corner of the park just north of the Humboldt Park lagoon. This playground is also somewhat not traditional - there aren't standard toddler or belt seat swings or even a slide in the entire sprawling playground! Instead, there are a few non-traditional swings (one tire swing and a few saucer swings), a rope net climbing structure, a collection of rope net traverse elements, and an area with spinning elements. The centerpiece of this playground is a large water spray feature. With the somewhat non-traditional elements are some solid amenities. There are a few benches and trees for seating and shade. The play area is fenced from the surrounding park and set away from cars and traffic creating a surprisingly quiet play experience in the busy city. And the play surface is the classic wood chips. It's a solid playground; highly recommend.

This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park - is located on the west side of the park near Division and Kedzie. This playground is a great play area surrounded by trees and features a swing set, a small play structure for younger children, and a large, sprawling play structure for older children with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars. The amenities are also quite nice. The play area is fenced from the street (though not fully enclosed) and nicely surrounded by mature trees. Inside the play area are a few benches and even a picnic table for seating. The play surface is soft rubber and the larger play structure is somewhat accessible by a ramp. All in all, this is a solid playground with amenities to make it a comfortable place for the whole family; highly recommend.