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.
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 playground in Clybourn Park features two swing sets and a large play structure connected to several traversing elements. The play area is fully enclosed and offers a few benches and limited shade options. The playground is located near a curve of the CTA Brown Line so this park is good for young train lovers.
The playground at Clover Park features bright colors and unique plastic evergreen trees atop the poles of the large play structure. There are a variety of elements for a variety of users - including the standard swing options - in the fully enclosed play area with a surface of wood chips. It is tucked in the middle of a block on Southport and the park features several large trees.
The 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.
Avondale Park is a nice neighborhood park with a fieldhouse, outdoor pool, water spray feature, and a nice playground. The playground is tucked just north of the fieldhouse and includes a large, sprawling play structure and the standard set of swings. There is also a large sandbox and a water spray feature nearby. The play area is fully enclosed and is bright and sunny. There are a few benches and the play surface is wood chips. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms and drinking fountains (when open).
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.
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.
