This playground - one of two in Fosco Park - is officially listed as a Chicago Park playground. However, my sense is that this facility is used primarily (or even exclusively) by the Fosco Park programs. and might not be open to the general public. At the very least, it was locked when I visited. This doesn't really matter too much, though, because the much larger playground just around the corner was more easily accessible and - honestly - better in most ways.
This playground - one of two in Fosco Park - appears to be the main playground and features a large play structure and is next to a large water spray area. The playground itself includes a large and sprawling play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements - nothing too out of the ordinary but a really solid playground. The water spray area is fenced from the playground and features a few different spray elements.
The non-play amenities are solid. There is a drinking fountain and benches for seating and the fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). The play area is fenced from the street and includes a soft rubber surface. Although there are some trees, the play area itself is bring and sunny. All in all, this is a great playground; highly recommend.
This small playground - one of two in Dvorak Park - is located on the south side of the park near 21st and May. I try to never talk bad about a Chicago Park playground...but the one on the northeast side of the Dvorak Park is far superior. Yet this single small structure still stands and invites small kids to slide, climb, and traverse the monkey bars. The surface is soft rubber and the play area is fenced from the street and has a few benches in the bright and sunny area. But with a true destination playground in the same park, this one does not compete.
This playground - one of two in Dvorak Park - is located in the northeast corner of the park and is a great playground. The play area is packed with elements: a very tall structure with a long curving slide, connections to smaller platforms with a roller slide and other climbing elements, a large rope net climbing structure, overhead monkey bars and an overhead slider, and lots more. The entire site seems designed for older children and climbers but there are elements for younger children as well. There is also a large set of standard swing (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) to complete the offerings.
The play area is fenced from the streets but is not fully enclosed and the main play surface is wood chips. This playground has a lot of seating as well as a lot of shade from large, mature trees surrounding the site. There is also bathroom access via the fieldhouse building (when open) and a large water spray feature (again, when open) next to the pool just south of this playground.
This site is packed with interesting equipment and is full of shady spots and plenty of seating; this makes it a great neighborhood playground and, in my mind, definitely a destination playground.
This playground - one of five in Douglass Park - is in the north side of the park near Roosevelt and Sacramento. It features a large, modern play structure designed for older children including some unique elements like a triple twisting metal climber and another large climbing structure. There are also several low to the ground traverse elements and a variety of swings: toddler, belt, molded plastic with a harness, and saucer swing. The play surface is wood chips and, although there are trees dotting the surrounding grassy area, the play area is quite sunny.
This playground - one of five in Douglass Park - is in the west side of near 15th and Albany and features a large, modern play structure designed for older children. This structure features a few slides, climbing elements, and a large set of monkey bars in addition to the standard set of swings. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches scattered around the perimeter.
This playground - one of five in Douglass Park - is located on the east side of the park near 14th and California and is perhaps the largest of the playgrounds. There are two distinct areas - one for smaller children and the other for older children - and both contain large, age-appropriate play structures, swings, climbing elements, and a few other standalone elements. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and a drinking fountain.
This playground - one of five in Douglass Park - is in the southwest corner of the park near 19th and Albany. According to the Park District website, this playground is named " Sunshine Daydream Playground, in honor of a Grateful Dead song." Fittingly, this playground features a musical theme with a "music station" comprised of several panels with interactive musical instruments, a spinning cello, a piano climbing arch, and a climbing wall with musical notes. There are also modern climbing elements and the standard set of swings. Next to these elements, there is a small, modern water spray feature with two "misting poles" and two cement play animals. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and large grassy areas and matures trees surrounding this playground.
This playground - one of 5 in Douglass Park - is located in the southeast corner of the park near 18th and California. The play area is mostly enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are two sets of swings and a large play structure with a few slides and many options for climbing and traversing. There is also a small water feature in the play area - a standard concrete area with four sprayers.
Dogwood Park is in the middle of a residential block and features some unique playground equipment designed by Kompan. These striking structures are designed with bright colors and bold geometric shapes and both seem designed for younger children. An addition to these structures there are a few swings (toddler, molded plastic, belt, and a saucer swing with spider web seat) and a few other standalone elements. There is also a simple four sprayer water feature near this playground. The surface is wood chips and the play area is fenced but not fully enclosed. There is a single bench for seating near the entrance to this playground.
The playground at DeGeorge Park features a large play structure with many unique climbing elements, swings (toddler, belt seat, and a tire swing), and a few other standalone elements. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches in the area as well as a few trees but the playground itself is bright and sunny.
Dean Park is tucked away on a quiet stretch of Dean Street and features a nice and quiet playground and a water spray feature. The playground includes a standard play structure, the normal set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat), and a collection of climbing and traversing elements. The water spray feature is a small single pole water sprayer. The playground itself opens to a small grassy area and the entire park is enclosed and fenced from the street. The play surface is soft rubber and there area a few benches for seating as well a drinking fountain and some shady spots (especially in the morning). All in all, this is a standard Chicago playground in the best sense of the term.
This playground at Davis Park (not to be confused with Davis Square Park in the Back of the Yards community area) is a standard Chicago playground with equipment for many children. There are the standard set of swings - toddler, adaptive, and belt seat - with an extra hammock style saucer swing as a bonus. There are two play structures - one for older kids and one for younger - and a few standalone features.
The play surface is wood chips and the play area is fully enclosed from the street and opens into a basketball court at the rear of the site. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain but there are no trees or shade structures making the playground bright and sunny. The wall on the west side of the park has some great murals, though
Tiny Crawford Park is sited on the middle of the block and features a small playground and water feature. The playground consists of one structure with some retro features - including metal slides - and also includes some swings (toddler and molded bucket). In the middle of the park is the water feature - a basic four sprayer. The play area is mostly enclosed and bright and sunny. The play surface is wood chips and although there aren't any benches, the low perimeter walls provide some seating.
This tiny neighborhood pocket park is situated on a narrow site and features a single play structure. There are a few slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars as well as a tire swing. The play lot is mostly enclosed and covered in wood chips. There aren't any benches in the play area but a few perimeter walls provide some seating.
Commercial Club Park has a great playground with a unique and distinctive features - the most obvious one being a large, sculptural reptile embedded in the soft rubber surface. There are two play structures - one for younger children and a larger structure for older children - a small set of swings, and a water spray feature. The larger structure is sprawling and accessible via a ramp and the water spray feature is a somewhat standard triple shower sprayer.
The non-play amenities are also great. The play area is fully enclosed with some shade and easy access to bathroom via the fieldhouse. There is ample seating with benches and picnic tables within the play area. And the play surface is soft rubber.
For me, this playground checks a lot of boxes and is a worthy destination; highly recommend.
This playground - one of two in Columbus Park - is located on the north side of the park between Jackson and Adams by Menard Drive. It features a large play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements along with a standard set of swings. The play area is not enclosed but it is fenced from Adams. There are some trees (mainly to the south) that provide some shade and a few benches for seating. The play surface is wood chips.
This playground - one of two in Columbus Park - is unique within the city of Chicago. Described as a "boundless playground" by the Chicago Park District, this playground "is designed to provide access to play for all individuals.,, [and] all the equipment is specifically configured to allow for access and use by children and adults with a variety of special needs." Yet in many ways this unique focus isn't apparent by looking at the playground; it looks like a somewhat standard playground with some interesting elements.
There are two main play structures. One is a smaller structure with a few slides and climbing elements. The larger structure is set somewhat into a hill and is fully accessible by children using wheelchairs. It features additional slides, climbing elements, and a unique variety of overhead elements. Within the semi-enclosed play area there is also a small water feature, sand play area, and a small meandering nature path (not to be confused with the larger "natural area" within Columbus Park).
This play area is not fully enclosed but it is fenced from the street. The main play surface is soft rubber (expect the sand area) and there are a few benches in the play area. The play area is quite sunny (and honestly could benefit from additional shade and/or picnic tables). The last notable amenity is the parking lot directly south of the playground with designed handicap parking spots and a barrier free entrance to the play area.
All in all, this is a large playground with a number of unique features that has been thoughtfully designed for a variety of users; highly recommend.
The John Clark Park playground features a large climbing structure with a variety of slides, climbing features, and overhead elements. There is also the standard set of park district swings and a see-saw. The play area is fully enclosed and the surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and a small fieldhouse near the playground. An embankment for a freight train line forms the eastern edge of the park and there might be a slow moving train.
Claremont 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.
Christiana Park features a decent playground with some classic amenities. The playground primarily consists of a large and sprawling play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements. Rounding out the equipment are a small set of swings and some standalone musical elements. The 'classic amenities' are the wood chip play surface and the wood benches. The site is partially shaded by large trees and partially enclosed from the street.
Though not nearly as large as Central Park in NYC, Chicago's Central Park does boast a large play structure for older children and an above-average set of swings. The main play structure includes a number of overhead elements, climbing structures, and slides. There are toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing in this playground. The play area is fenced from the street but is not fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are benches and a drinking fountain but sadly very little shade in the park.
The playground at Boler Park consists of two separate area dedicated to children of different ages. The area for younger children features elements that are quite small and low to the ground - a log that serves as a balance beam, some steppers, and a tiny play structure with a small slide. The other area features a larger structure with a few slides and climbing elements. The play area is fenced from the street and the main play surface is wood chips. Additional seating (benches or picnic tables) would improve this space as would more shade. But this is still a nice and well-maintained playground with some solid elements.
The playground at Beilfuss Park is a great playground in an interesting location. The playground itself is quite nice with a large play structure for older children, a standard offering of swings, and some unique "acorn seats". The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and mature trees shading the fully enclosed play space. The rest of the Beilfuss Park is quite empty so there is plenty of space to fly a kite or watch the trains go by on the nearby Metra tracks.
