The playground at the Brighton Park Community Campus is a one-of-a-kind playground and one of the best in Chicago. This site opened in 2023 and features new playground equipment, a water spray feature, and a nature play area.
The playground features several large structures that are hard to describe. These structures feature some familiar elements like slides and monkey bars but combine them in unusual ways.
The water spray feature is immediately next to the playground and features a variety of jets from the ground and water loops.
The nature play area is also in the same area and features a few different 'rooms' with different themes.
This site is the new administrative center for the Chicago Park district and the buildings on the east side of the site are the administrative center and the park's fieldhouse. The fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when it is open) and the courtyard between the two buildings is a wonderful space with picnic tables.
The playground has a soft rubber surface and is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. There is a drinking fountain there as well as some benches. The site is currently bright and sunny and open. All in all, this is an amazing playground and a true destination playground; highly highly recommend.
Wolcott Park is a tiny neighborhood pocket park that contains a large playground structure and a set of swings. The structure includes a few slides and climbing elements as well as a circular monkey bars and a large metal traverse. The play ground is fenced but not fully enclosed and there is a drinking fountain and a few benches near the main entrance. The play surface is wood chips and the park get full sun most of the day.
West Lawn Park features a large playground divided into two areas with similar equipment. Both areas feature a Kompan play structure, a single mast net climbing structure, and a set of swings. The only difference is that the area to the north is designed for older children and features larger equipment whereas the area to the south features smaller equipment for younger children. The amenities are somewhat typical for Chicago Park - a drinking fountain, wooden benches, and a play surface of wood chips - but the general locale is quite nice with large trees providing some shady areas near the playground. The play area is fenced from the street (but not fully enclosed) and there is access to bathrooms via the nearby park fieldhouse (when open). All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground; highly recommend.
Located in the middle of Wentworth Park, on the east side, is a great playground and water spray feature. The playground includes two structures - a moderate sized structure for younger children and a large, sprawling structure for older children. The larger structure features a variety of climbing elements and slides and is partially accessible via a ramp. There is a set of swings with the standard options (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) as well as a 'triple shower' water spray feature. The playground is fenced from the street and the rest of the park but is not fully enclosed. There are benches and a drinking fountain near the play area with the nearby fieldhouse providing access to bathrooms (when open). The play surface is soft rubber and although there are trees near the playground, the playground itself is bright and sunny. All in all this is a great playground; highly recommend.
Ruiz Park - formerly Walnut Park - features a playground that was renovated in 2015 that includes a single play structure and small set of swings. The play structure includes a few slides, a variety of climbing elements, and a variation on monkey bars. The swings includes toddler, adaptive, and belt seat varieties. There is a standalone metal ring climber and a somewhat unique dragonfly see-saw.
The play area is covered with wood chips and the play area is fenced from the streets but is not fully enclosed. There are a few trees in the park as well as a few benches but the playground itself is bright and sunny.
Wagner Park - oddly separated into two separate sections by a parking lot - contains a small playground and water spray feature on the western side near 51st and Morgan. This playground includes a small play structure for younger children and a larger collection of elements for older children. There are a few types of swings - toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and saucer - and a small "four sprayer" water spray feature. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and trees but the playground is bright and sunny most of the time.
Vittum Park is a large neighborhood park with many different athletic fields, a playground, and a water spray feature. The playground was renovated in 2015 and features two play structures - a smaller one for younger children and a larger one for older children - as well as a set of standard Chicago Park swings. The water spray feature is a 'loch ness mister' and an overhead spray element. All the equipment is very nice and well-maintained.
The setting and non-play elements are very solid. There are large, mature trees surrounding the site and a few benches and picnic tables for seating. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). The play area is fenced from the street but not enclosed and opens directly into the rest of the spacious park. All in all, this is a great park and playground; highly recommend.
Valley Forge Park features a new fieldhouse and a variety of athletic fields as well as a very modern and nice playground. The playground is located just west of the fieldhouse and features modern and somewhat non-traditional equipment. There is a tiny structure for younger children and the rest of the equipment is for climbing and exploring by older children. The play area is fenced from the street (but not fully enclosed) and opens into the rest of the park. There are a few benches for seating and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms and drinking fountains (when open). The play surface is soft rubber. All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground.
Taylor-Lauridsen Park contains an athletic field, a new fieldhouse (completed in 2010) and a nice playground. The playground includes areas for younger children, a larger structure for older children, the standard set of Chicago Park swings, and a 'loch ness mister' water spray feature. The play area is fully enclosed near the northwest corner of the park and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches and a drinking fountain in the play area and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground.
Strohacker Park is a moderate sized neighborhood park with a nice playground on the northern edge. The playground is divided into two main sections - one for younger children and one for older - with a water spray feature between them. Both sections feature modern and standard equipment including slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars. The water spray area features recently updated elements including the 'loch ness mister' and misting poles.
The non-play elements are standard but nice - there are some wooden benches around both play areas (though there could be more seating) and the play surface is wood chips. Both sections get good shade and a park building should provide access to bathrooms and a drinking fountain (when open). All in all, this is a good neighborhood playground.
The playground at Stars & Stripes Park is a wonderful playground tucked in a quiet park. It features a large rope climbing structure, a play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements, the standard set of swings, and a small water feature. The playground is on the western side of the park and is quiet and features views of the nearby train line. There are benches and a little shade but the play area is bright and sunny. The play surface is soft rubber and the water feature and the play structure are both somewhat accessible to people using wheelchairs. The playground opens to the rest of the park but is fully enclosed from the street. All in all, this is a standard Chicago Park playground in the best sense of the phrase and is worth checking out.
The playground in Sherwood Park is located on northeast corner of the park and features and area for older children, an area for younger children, and a water spray area. The larger area for older children features an accessible play structure with a few slides and climbing elements as well as some swings. The smaller area features, appropriately, a smaller play structure with a few toddler swings. And the water spray feature is a set of large, multicolored tubes in a separate area. The play area is fenced but not fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. However, during my visit in 2022 and according to years of previous streetview images from Google, this rubber surface is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. In total, the playground equipment and structures are interesting but the playground surface needs attention.
This small playground - one of three in Sherman Park - is located on the east side of the park near Racine Ave. It features a single play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements and is one of the few playgrounds without any swings. The play area is not fully enclosed but is fenced from both streets. The play surface is wood chips and large trees provide some shade throughout the day.
This playground - one of three in Sherman Park - includes the standard set of swings and a large play structure. The play structure includes a variety of elements including large curving slides and a few variations on monkey bars. The play area is fenced from the streets but not fully enclosed and the surface is wood chips. There aren't any benches but the low perimeter walls allow for some seating and nearby trees provide for some shade.
This playground - one of three in Sherman Park - is located in the northwest corner of the park. It features two play structures and some swings. There are also plenty of benches and a few trees in the area and, according to maps, there is a water spray feature as well.
* Note: when I visited (2022-04) the water feature was under construction and the playground needed some repairs. I plan to revisit.*
The playground at Senka Park is located on the eastern side of the park and seems well loved. The current equipment has been in place since at least 2007 and shows signs of its age. The playground has three main areas: an area for younger children with a traditional play structure and a play ship, an area for older children, an a water spray feature (not pictured in this review). The equipment is standard and offers a variety of slides, climbing elements, monkey bars, and swings.
The rest of Senka Park is quite nice with winding walking paths and several athletic fields. There is a large shade pavilion near the playgrounds (though the play areas themselves are quite bright and sunny). Additional seating - benches and picnic tables - would be a welcome addition. All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground but some improvements could transform this site into a true gem.
Pasteur Park playground packs a punch! Seriously though, this playground provides some modern equipment in a classic park setting. The 'modern equipment' includes a variety of climbing and traversing options with a small play structure. There is a good variety of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and tire) as well as a small water spray feature. The setting is pastoral and classic: the play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches for seating and trees for shade. The play area is not fully enclosed but it is fenced from the street and the rest of the park. Somewhat modern equipment with some classic amenities in a park-like setting make this a great playground; highly recommend.
The Packingtown Park playground packs a punch. This tiny neighborhood pocket park has a moderate sized play structure with a variety of equipment, a set of swings with the Chicago Park essentials (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a small "four sprayer" water spray feature. The playground is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and features the 'classic' playground amenities of benches, a drinking fountain, and a wood chip play surface. All in all, a solid neighborhood playground.
This playground - one of two in Ogden Park - is located on the north side of the park near 64th and Throop. It features a large play structure with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and a monkey bars. There are also a few standalone spinning elements and some swings (toddler and traditional). The playground is not fully enclosed but it is fenced from the street. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and trees around the park providing seating and shade - though the playground is mostly sunny.
"In 1998, the Chicago Park District created a major regional playground in Ogden Park. One of the city's most exciting places for children, the Ogden Park playground includes assembly and stage areas, play equipment, an interactive water feature, and a canopied carousel." This - according to the Chicago Park District's website - helps explain the massive enclosed area on the east side of Ogden Park.
The fully enclosed play area is accessible via the inner park drive (Black Dr.) and not the main street to the east (S. Racine Ave.) and features a massive playground, several different water spray features, and gazebo with a carousel, with plenty of benches and picnic tables. The play structures are mainly rope/net climbing features that were installed in the spring of 2016. The water spray features are not unique to this park; but having several different spray features in close proximity is novel. Lastly, in addition to several picnic tables, there are a number of circular concrete benches evocative of Jens Jensen's 'council rings' found in other Chicago Parks. This play area is truly unique in the city and is indeed a destination playground.
*Note: when I visited 2022-04 the play area was locked; I plan on returning to get better images and will update this description then.*
Oakley Park features a classic and yet timeless playground. The equipment is new and well-maintained with a sprawling play structure, two sets of swings, and zip line. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches around the perimeter of the park. The play area is fully enclosed and shaded by large trees. It's a classic playground.
In the southwest corner of Normandy Park, there is a solid neighborhood playground. There are two play structures with a variety of elements as well as a set of swings. Other important details: the play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed, the surface is soft rubber, and the playground gets some shade throughout the day. There are benches and a drinking fountain and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a good neighborhood park.
This playground in Murray Park features a number of standalone elements and a large play structure designed for younger children. The standalone elements include a curving climbing wall and monkey bars, a balance beam, and spinning seat. The play structure includes another set of monkey bars as well as some slides. There are also two sets of swings with traditional belt seat, molded plastic seat, and toddler options. Immediately north of the playground is a water feature with a seahorse spraying element. The playground is not fully enclosed but is fenced from the street. The surface is wood chips and trees and benches provide some shade and seating. The nearby fieldhouse also provides bathrooms. This is a standard neighborhood park in the best sense of the phrase.
Mulberry Park is tucked away off a quiet side street and features two large play structures and a small water spray feature. The play equipment seems somewhat dated - it was last renovated in 2015 - but it is still very usable. The play structures are both somewhat sprawling structures with a variety of slides and climbing elements. The water spray feature is a triple shower sprayer. The non-play elements are adequate; there are a few benches around the play area and the main play surface is wood chips. All in all, this is a decent neighborhood park.
