The Worst Water Spray Feature

Anderson Park is a small park with a great little playground. The playground is somewhat standard but is also wonderful. There is a single large play structure with a few slides, climbing elements, and plank bridge (thought, strangely, no monkey bars). There is a standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and 'four sprayer' water feature. The setting is wonderful - sharing a site with two public schools and a fieldhouse - and it gets wonderful shade from the large, mature trees towering overhead. There are benches and a drinking fountain and access to bathrooms (when the fieldhouse is open). All in all, this is a great little 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.

Aster Park features a large and sprawling set of playground equipment and a small water spray feature. The play structure has equipment for a range of kids including slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars. The water spray feature is a standard 'four sprayer.' In most respects, it's a standard Chicago Park: wood chips surface, enclosed play area in the middle of the block, and decent shade from trees and neighboring buildings.

Back of the Yards Park features a sprawling set of playground equipment as well as a small water spray feature. The playground is a basic and classic Chicago Park playground with wood chips and a few scattered park benches.

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.

This small neighborhood park is named after the poet Gwendolyn Brooks and features a small playground at water spray feature. The playground is divided into two sections. The smaller section is for younger children and features a small play structure and a set of toddler swings; the other section is for older children and features a structure with larger slides and other swings. The water spray feature is a standard four sprayer. The classic playground features - wood chips and a few wooden benches - are all the amenities offered at this site. The entire park is fenced from the street but is not fully enclosed. It's a solid neighborhood park and playground.

The playground in Oscar Brooks Park is a small site with standard playground equipment. There is a single structure with a variety of elements and the Chicago Park standard swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The play area is bright and sunny and the play surface is wood chips. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open) and the park also includes a water feature located near the southwest corner of the park.

With a large play structure, standard set of swings, and a small water spray feature, the playground at Brown Park has a lot to offer. The play structure is quite large and features a variety of slides and climbing elements and is designed to challenge older climbers. There are a few standalone elements as well as the standard set of Chicago Park swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat.) The water spray feature is a simple four sprayer. There is ample shade and decent seating options near this playground. The play surface is wood chips and the play area is fenced from the street (but not fully enclosed) and opens directly into the park. All in all, this is a standard playground in a Chicago Park in the best sense of the term; it is great.

Burnside Park - the only Chicago Park that serves the neighborhood and community area of the same name - contains a decent playground and small water spray feature. The playground contains a variety of somewhat standard equipment that was last renovated in 2014. Similarly, the water spray feature is a standard 'four sprayer.' The general setting is pleasant and the non-play amenities are basic: a few benches and a drinking fountain. The main play surface is wood chips and although there are trees nearby, the play area itself is bright and sunny.

This playground is located on the northside of Chippewa Park and features a large structure for older children and a variety of swings. The play surface is wood chips though there is also a sand area as well as a large grassy area south of the playground with a simple water spray feature. The play area is not fully enclosed but is fenced from the street sides. There are a few benches in the playground area and a picnic table near the water spray feature.

Coleman Park is a small neighborhood park in the middle of a residential block with a great playground and water spray feature. There are two play structures - a smaller one for younger children and a larger one for older children - as well as two sets of swings, a sand play area (with a unique concrete table), and a standard 'four sprayer' with a concrete seal sculpture in the middle. All together, this playground elevates some standard equipment to something better than the sum of its parts. The setting is great; the park has some great trees and it's location on a quiet street is quite nice. The non-play amenities include benches and a drinking fountain and the main play surface is wood chips. This is a great little playground and definitely worth a visit.

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.