Northwest Playgrounds

Aiello Park is a small neighborhood park with a large accessible play structure for older children and a smaller structure for younger children. There are relatively standard slides and climbing elements on both structures and a standard set of swings on the back of the play area. The play area is fully enclosed with a soft rubber surface. There is a picnic table in the area and a few low stone walls for seating. The site is somewhat shaded by trees but is mostly bright and sunny.

Athletic Field Park is a large park with a great playground and small water spray feature (among other amenities). The playground is situated on the south side of the park near the field house and includes a very small structure for younger children and a much larger structure for older children. There is also a small water spray feature near the playground. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches in the play area and a few picnic tables nearby as well and although there are trees and a small pavilion in the area, the playground itself is bright and sunny.

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.

California Park is a great park located on the bank of the North Branch and accessible via the Riverview Pedestrian Bridge. The playground is located near the southern edge of the park. It features a somewhat non-traditional set of equipment that is more like a linear obstacle course than a traditional vertical play structure. The water spray feature is a single pole mister/sprayer. The play area is fully enclosed and has a wood chip play surface. There are a few benches and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a decent neighborhood park.

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.

The playground in Cragin Park is a wonderful little site with a moderately large play structure, swings, a few standalone elements, and a water spray feature. The play structure features a bunch of climbing elements and two slides. The water spray feature is a typical 'four sprayer' but is one of the nicest ones I've seen. The non-play amenities are standard but solid; there are benches and a drinking fountain around the play area with a wood chip play surface. The small fieldhouse nearby should provide access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, a very solid neighborhood park and playground.

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.

Hermosa Park features a playground with two different areas, a solid set of swings, and a small water spray area. The small play area is designed for younger children and features a traditional play structure with a set of toddler swings in the same area. The larger area features equipment designed for older children but is not a standard structure with platforms but rather a set of connected climbing elements with a large net/rope tower at the center. There are also swings (adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing) in this area. The water spray feature is a simple 'four sprayer.' The play areas are set away from the street toward the middle of the park and have a surface of wood chips. There are a few benches and tall trees provide some shade. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms and drinking fountains (when open). All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground.

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.