Playgrounds with a Soft Rubber Play Surface
In my opinion, this is the gold standard and by far the best surface for playgrounds. This page lists and maps Chicago Park playgrounds with a soft rubber play surface.
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Adams (George & Adele) Park - PlaygroundAdams 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. -
Aiello Park - Playground ParkAiello 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. -
Algonquin Park - Playground ParkAlgonquin 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. -
Amundsen Park - PlaygroundThe 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. -
Archer Park - PlaygroundThe playground in Archer Park is a wonderful little playground. Set on the eastern side of the park, this site contains two structures and a large set of swings. There is also a nice water spray feature closer to the fieldhouse. The play area is removed from traffic and includes benches, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain. The surface is soft rubber and the equipment is modern and well maintained. Highly recommend. -
Ashe Beach Park - PlaygroundThe playground at Arthur Ashe Beach Park is located right on the shores of Lake Michigan and features some solid playground equipment. There is a small structure for younger children, a separate structure for older children, and the standard set of swings. The structure for older children is much larger and somewhat accessible by those using a wheelchair; the main play surface is also accessible soft rubber. There are a few benches nearby that provide views of both the playground and Lake Michigan. -
Athletic Field Park - PlaygroundAthletic 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. -
Augusta Park - PlaygroundAugusta Park features a playground with two play structures and the standard Chicago Park swings. The smaller play structure is designed for younger children and is relatively small. The other structure is much larger and features a few slides, interactive panels, and overhead elements designed for older children. There are a couple of picnic tables and benches for seating. The play area is fully enclosed and boasts a soft rubber play surface. The playground itself is bright and sunny without much shade and there is a grassy area next to the playground. -
Bartelme Park - PlaygroundThe 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. -
Berger Park - PlaygroundBerger 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. -
Blackwelder Park - PlaygroundBlackwelder Park features a solid playground and water spray feature. The playground features two structures - a smaller one for younger children and a larger one for older children - as well as a set of swings featuring the Chicago Park standards: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The larger structure is accessible via a ramp and features a few climbing and overhead elements as well. The water spray feature is a standard and effective "triple shower sprayer." The non-playable amenities are also solid. There are benches and two picnic tables for seating as well as a drinking fountain. The play surface is soft rubber and the play area is fenced from the street (and nearby train tracks) but is not fully enclosed. Large trees border the space and provide some shade and sense of enclosure. All in all, this is a wonderful playground; highly recommend. -
Bosley Park - PlaygroundThe playground in Bosley Park was renovated in 2023 and is one of the nicest neighborhood playgrounds in the city. There is a large play structure with a variety of elements, an accessible 'merry-go round' set into the soft rubber play surface, and a set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat). There is also a water spray feature. Amenities are solid with benches, some shade, and access to bathrooms. All in all, a great neighborhood playground and a worthwhile destination. -
Brainerd Park - PlaygroundBrainerd Park features a solid neighborhood playground and water spray feature on the west side of the park. The playground contains two structure. The smaller structure is designed for younger children and the larger structure is designed for older children and is quite large and sprawling. It contains a variety of slides and climbing elements and is partially accessible via a ramp. There is also the standard Chicago Park swing options: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The water spray feature is a triple shower sprayer. The non-play elements are also solid. The play area is fully enclosed and the soft rubber play surface is shaded by large trees. There are benches in the play area and the park building to the south should provide access to bathrooms and a drinking fountain (when open). All in all, this is everything a neighborhood playground should be; highly recommend. -
Brands Park - PlaygroundThe playground at Brands Park is an accessible and solid playground with two main play structures and the standard set of swings. There is a small play structure for younger children and a much larger structure for older children. Several slides and platforms of the larger structure are accessible via a ramp built into the hillside making this somewhat accessible. There are also a few overhead elements - a variation on monkey bars and an overhead slider - attached to the larger play structure. The swings are standard (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and there are a few 'vehicles on springs' near the smaller structure. The amenities here are somewhat above average. There are benches and picnic tables within the fully enclosed play area and the main play surface is soft rubber. The Brands Park fieldhouse is quite close and provides access to bathrooms (when the building is open). Although there are some trees near the playground, the play area itself tends to be bright and sunny. All in all, this is a solid playground with some great amenities. -
Brighton Park - PlaygroundBrighton Park features a nice playground that gets the basics right. There are two play structure, one smaller and one larger, swings and a few standalone elements. Nothing fancy or novel - just a standard playground in the best sense of the term. The playground gets some good shade from nearby trees and has a few benches around the soft rubber surfaced playground. Play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. All in all, a decent neighborhood playground. -
Brighton Park Community Campus (Park 596) - PlaygroundThe playground at the Brighton Park Community Campus is a one-of-a-kind playground and one of the best in Chicago. This site opened in 2023 and features new playground equipment, a water spray feature, and a nature play area. The playground features several large structures that are hard to describe. These structures feature some familiar elements like slides and monkey bars but combine them in unusual ways. The water spray feature is immediately next to the playground and features a variety of jets from the ground and water loops. The nature play area is also in the same area and features a few different 'rooms' with different themes. This site is the new administrative center for the Chicago Park district and the buildings on the east side of the site are the administrative center and the park's fieldhouse. The fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when it is open) and the courtyard between the two buildings is a wonderful space with picnic tables. The playground has a soft rubber surface and is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. There is a drinking fountain there as well as some benches. The site is currently bright and sunny and open. All in all, this is an amazing playground and a true destination playground; highly highly recommend. -
Bromann Park - Playground ParkBromann 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. -
Broncho Billy Park - PlaygroundThe playground in Broncho Billy Park has a small structure for younger children, and larger and accessible structure for older children, the standard set of swings, and a water spray feature. The play area is fully enclosed and the surface is a soft rubber and there are a few benches along the perimeter of the park for seating. In total, this is a 'standard neighborhood playground' in the best sense of the phrase - a solid playground for a variety of ages and uses. -
Burnham Park - Museum Campus PlaygroundThis playground - officially part of Burnham Park - is located just south of the museum campus and northeast of Solider Field and consists of a single rope/net climbing element. The surface is sort rubber and although it is tucked away between trees and small hills, this site is not enclosed and quite open to the roads nearby. There are a few benches for seating. This play structure is incorporated into the Solider Field Children's Garden. According to the Chicago Park District's website, this Children's Garden "thematically relates to the three museums nearby—the Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium. Throughout the play space, various features evoke the themes of each museum. Large sculptural spheres representing the Earth can be climbed on or walked through. A path spirals around like a nautilus. There is a spider web-like jungle gym. Children who explore carefully will also find other subtle imagery such as seahorses and the Milky Way." -
Buttercup Park - PlaygroundThe playground at Buttercup Park features a large play structure for younger children, a collection of climbing elements, the standard set of swings, and a small water feature. The most traditional play structure is actually two small structures connected by a set of low monkey bars; both structures contain a few climbing elements, interactive panels, and slides which create a nice somewhat traditional experience for younger children. The other main element is a collection of climbing and traversing elements made of metal, rope netting, and suspended rings that seems designed for older children. There is also a small water feature in the park with water jets from the ground. The swings - toddler, adaptive, and belt seat - are standard. The play area is fully enclosed and features a soft rubber surface that is mounded in places that transforms the surface itself into a play element. There are not traditional benches but decorated low perimeter walls provide plenty of seating and large mature trees provide plenty of shade. All in all - this is a great neighborhood playground and good destination. -
Cedar Park - Playground ParkThis 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 - PlaygroundChase 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. -
Chi Che Wang Park - PlaygroundTucked beside the Metra Track off a quiet side street, this small playground is the only feature in Chi Che Wang Park. Surrounded by a large grassy space without trees or athletic fields, this playground features a soft rubberized surface and smaller elements best suited for younger children. There are some unique climbing animals (an elephant and gorilla) and the standard offerings of swings. The large, open grassy area and the relative quiet - broken only by a passing Metra Train - are the defining features of this playground. -
Claremont Park - PlaygroundClaremont 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.