Houston Park is a small neighborhood park with a great playground. Divided into two sections, this playground contains two play structures with a variety of slides and climbing elements as well as the standard set of Chicago Park swings. The setting is lovely with large tree providing some shade a beautiful mural anchoring the southside of the park. The non-play amenities are standard; there are some benches, a drinking fountain, and the main play surface is wood chips. All in all, this is a great park and playground; highly recommend.
Honeysuckle Park is a tiny neighborhood pocket park that features a very unique playground. There are just a handful of elements in the playground: toddler swings, belt seat swings, a saucer swing, a large conical climbing element, and an even larger climbing element that resembled a bridge under construction. So although the play elements aren't traditional (no slides at this playground!) the equipment was interesting and well-maintained. The setting and non-play elements are fine; there are a few benches as well as a drinking fountain. The surface is wood chips and there are a few trees providing nice shade. All in all, this is a unique little playground.
Renovated in 2016, the playground at Holly Park features some interesting equipment, standard set of swings, a shade pavilion, and a water spray feature. There are two play structures in this park. The larger structure features poles with colorful, curving panels making for an interesting climbing structure. There is also a more traditional platforms and slides on this structure. The smaller structure includes similar climbing and traverse elements. There is also a set of swings with the standard varieties (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat). There is a water spray area with a simple triple overhead sprayer. The play area is fully enclosed with a grassy perimeter and the main play surface is wood chips. There is a drinking fountain, a picnic table, benches, and a simple shade pavilion to make this a comfortable park to spend a hot day.
This park features a large playground structure, a variety of swings, and a small water spray feature. The play structure contains a variety of slides and climbing elements and the variety of swings: toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and tire. The water spray feature is a small four sprayer. The playground is fenced from the street and the main play surface is wood chips with some trees and benches for shade and seating.
This small park features a playground with a single large play structure and a few standalone elements. The play structure features a few slides, a climbing net, monkey bars, and other elements. The standalone elements include a large climbing wall, a large spinning saucer, and the standard set of swings. The park itself is the green space around a Chicago Water Department pumping station and the site is covered with large, mature trees. The play surface is wood chips and the play area somewhat shaded and fully enclosed.
Harsh Park sits on a quiet stretch of Oakenwald Avenue and features modern Kompan playground structures, a standard set of swings, and a small water spray element. There are two playground structures - a smaller one for younger children and a larger one for older children - that feature distinctive geometric designs and bold colors. The swings are standard (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and the water spray feature is a simple single pole sprayer. The park itself is heavily shaded by large trees and there is a small pavilion on the north side of the park for additional shade. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the surface is wood chips. There are a few benches but additional seating or even a picnic table would be welcome additions to this small neighborhood park.
George Harding Park features a small playground right next to the CTA Green Line. Renovated in 2013, this playground features equipment from Gametime and includes some traversing elements (suspended rings and hanging steps) and a small structure with a few slides and climbing elements. There are two swing sets with standard swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a small playhouse. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and receives a lot of sunlight throughout the day. The surface is wood chips and there are a few benches for seating near the park and watching the trains pass.
Hansberry Park is a small neighborhood park with a solid playground. Rather than a single large structure, this playground offers many standalone elements for climbing and traversing with two small platforms that have slides. There is also a standard set of park district swings in the back of the park. The play surface is wood chips and there are benches and a drinking fountain by the entrance. The playground get some shade from trees but is mostly bright and sunny.
Located on the west side of Grand Crossing Park (just west of the fieldhouse) is the playground. Fully enclosed and with a surface of soft rubber, this playground features two play structures and the standard varieties of swings. The play structures aren't remarkable but are solid structures with slides and climbing elements. The larger structure is somewhat accessible by a ramp and the entrance to the playground is barrier-free for those in strollers or using wheelchairs. There is also a small freestanding climbing wall in the play area. There are a few benches and trees in the area providing seating and shade and there is a drinking fountain and access to the field house for other amenities. There is also a simple single pole water sprayer just to the south of the playground.
The playground in Fuller Park is located in the northeast corner of the park and features a sprawling play structure for older children, a smaller structure for younger children, and the standard offering of swings. The play surface is soft rubber and the larger play structure is somewhat accessible via a ramp. There is also a water spray feature located just south of the playground. There are a few benches near the play area and several large, mature trees provide some shade.
The playground at Flying Squirrel Park contains a moderate sized play structure from the manufacturer Gametime that was installed in 2013. The play structure is somewhat accessible by ramp and features a few slides and climbing elements with a set of other elements placed nearby. There is also a standard set of Chicago Park District swings. The play area fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. The play surface is wood chips and there is a small grassy field just south of the playground. There are a few benches and some large trees for seating and shade.
Renovated in 2015, the playground at the Essex Park contains a modern play structure some some standard equipment (slides, climbing structures, monkey bars) as well as some more interesting equipment (an overhead slider and a 'top and bottom' spinner). There is also a standard set of swings nearby. The play area is fenced but not fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches and a drinking fountain but not much shade.
The playground in Ellis Park contains two play structures, some standalone elements, and a small water spray feature. The smaller play structure designed for younger children is actually quite large and features three slides and a variety of different climbing elements. The larger play structure is massive. It is fully accessible and includes a long ramp that snakes back and forth several times before reaching the highest platform. There are a number of slides and other climbing elements on this structure as well as a circular monkey bars. The standalone elements include a see-saw and the standard set of swings. The water spray feature is located nearby and is a simple four sprayer. The playground is accessible with soft rubber surface and barrier free access to the highest platform. There are a few benches in the play area and the new Arts and Recreation Building provides access to bathrooms.
This playground - one of two in Dunbar Park - is a shady oasis in the city. This playground features an area for younger children, a large area for older children, swings, as well as a water spray feature for the summer months. The surface is a soft rubber and there are plenty of benches around the perimeter of the fully enclosed play area. Mature trees to the south create a comfortable shade on summer days. Highly recommend this playground.
This playground - one of two in Dunbar Park - is a great playground for a climber. Most of the equipment in this playground uses cables and nets for the main climbing structures and is therefore somewhat unique among Chicago playgrounds. Although there are limited options for young children, older climbers will likely enjoy the challenge of the two large climbing structures, rope bridge, and single curved slide.
Donovan Park is a large, active park with a variety of athletic fields/courts (baseball/softball, basketball, and volleyball) as well as a nice playground and water spray feature. The playground is located in the northeast corner of the park and includes a standard set of swings and a long and narrow play structure with slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars. The water spray feature is a standard 'four sprayer' that is located near a small park district building. The open and sunny play area is fenced from the street and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain and the park building provides access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a nice neighborhood park.
Small Dobson Park contains a playground with two play structures and a standard set of swings. One play structure is designed for younger children and the other is designed for older children. The larger play structure contains a few slides, climbing elements, and traversing elements. The play area has a wood chip surface and is fully enclosed. There are a few benches in the play area and a few trees providing some shade.
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.
Small Chestnut Park is a neighborhood park with a neighborhood playground featuring two play structures and few other elements. The smaller play structure is designed for younger children and has a few small slides, low to the ground monkey bars, and other climbing elements. The other structure is much larger and includes more challenging climbing and overhead elements as well as larger slides. This park has a solid offering of swings (toddler, molded bucket, belt seat, and hammock style saucer swings). The play area has a surface of wood chips and is bright and sunny throughout the day. There are a few benches near the play area and a drinking fountain.
Butternut Park features a large playground with two separate area in a small and shady location. Near the entrance is a set of elements for older children including some monkey bars and slides as well as a large rope/net climbing structure. Near the back of the park is a smaller structure for younger children and a set of toddler swings. There are also the standard swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a few standalone elements. The site itself is located in the middle of a residential block and is fully enclosed. The main play surface is wood chips though there is a grassy area as well. There aren't formal benches but low walls throughout the site provide some seating and large, mature trees provide shade. All things considered, this is a good neighborhood playground.
This playground - called "Shore Playground" according to a Park District sign on the fencing but simply "Burnham Playground" online - was renovated in 2015. It features a large play structure, a few standalone climbing elements, and the standard set of swings. The play area is fully enclosed and is shaded by a few large trees. The surface is wood chips and there are a few benches nearby for seating.
This playground - one of five in Burnham Park - is situated just south of 47th Street and west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive and features two large play structures and two sets of swings. The elements are largely standard with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and overhead features. The non-playable amenities are also somewhat standard: a drinking fountain, a few park benches, with a play surface of wood chips.
The playground in Burnham Park near the 43rd Street Bridge is still under construction (as of 2023-03) but looks like it will be a wonderful playground. The new playground is just south of the 43rd Street Bridge just off the Lake Front path and the near the comfort station. The playground features a small set of swings, a rope net climbing structure, a small play structure for young children, a collection of elements for older children, and a good variety of musical instruments.
The non-play elements are solid; the play surface is soft rubber, the play area seems like it will be fully enclosed, and there are plenty of benches. This site provides nice views of the city skyline and the nearby comfort station should provide access to bathrooms (when open).
I'll plan on re-visiting this summer (and updating this review) because this looks like a great playground.
This modern playground on the lakefront features an enclosed play area with dedicated spaces for younger and older children. In addition to standard swings and slides, this playground boasts some interesting elements including a twisting rock climbing wall, a large curved slide set into the landscape, and a roller slide. Even though this playground is just steps from the 31st Street Beach, there are two water elements with gentle sprays designed for younger children. There are plenty of benches within the enclosed play space and an interesting and accessible area further south with more benches, picnic tables, and benches. One of the best playgrounds in Chicago.
