Washington Heights

Brainerd 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.

Euclid Park features a nice and somewhat shaded playground and small water spray feature. The playground is located near 98th and Parnell and contains a large and sprawling play structure with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and overhead challenges. The site also contains the standard Chicago Park swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. A little further into the park - near the fieldhouse - is the small water spray feature: a 'four sprayer.' The non-playable amenities are classic: wood chips, wooden benches, some shade, and a drinking fountain. The play are is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed; the fieldhouse should provide access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this playground gets high marks across the board.

The playground at Oakdale Park is a gem and shows how combining equipment, amenities, and nature makes for a great playground experience. The playground equipment is solid but not vastly different from other playgrounds; there is a moderate play structure with slides and climbing elements, a smaller 'play dinosaur' designed for younger children, and a set of swings (toddler and belt seat). There is a small water spray feature a little ways away as well. The non-playable amenities are also solid: there are ample benches and the play surface is soft rubber. Perhaps the best feature is that the playground is surrounded - and shaded!- by large, mature trees. I might be bias in favor of trees and shade, but this site is a reminder that getting the basics right - equipment, amenities, and surroundings - can create a wonderful playground; highly recommend.

Robichaux Park contains a large playground and a water spray feature. The playground contains a variety of climbing elements, slides, and even a circle seat zipline and seems designed to challenge older children. There is also a standard set of Chicago Park swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The water spray feature is a standard 'four sprayer.' The overall setting is beautiful with large trees nearby (though the playground itself is bright and sunny). However, I don't recall seeing any benches near the playground; added these would greatly improve the site. A nearby fieldhouse should provide access to bathrooms and a drinking fountain (when open). All in all, a good playground that could be a great one with a few benches and picnic tables.

On the northside of Jackie Robinson Park and shaded by large trees, there is a huge and wonderful playground. It is a single large structure that sprawls and soars; it sprawls to include a variety of ramps and climbing elements and soars to great heights with a three story central core. There are a few standalone elements and the standard set of Chicago Park swings but the huge structure is the main attraction. The amenities are solid too. Both benches and picnic tables offer ample seating. The play surface is soft rubber and the play area is shaded by large, mature trees that opens directly to the rest of the park. A small comfort station nearby provides access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a wonderful playground; highly recommend.

Wallace Park contains a non-traditional playground and very traditional water spray feature. The playground is not a typical play structure and slides - and there aren't even traditional swings at this park! Instead, there is a collection of rope and net climbing elements, two saucer swings, and a collection of rope/net traverse elements. The water spray feature - on the other hand - is a very traditional 'four sprayer'. The play area is fenced from the street and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches for seating and trees for shade. All in all, this is an interesting playground.