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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This small park is packed with great playground equipment! There are three main play structures in this park: a sprawling traditional play structure with a firetruck theme on one side, a somewhat taller structure with a corkscrew slide, and an interesting rocketship climbing element. Additionally, there are a few standalone elements as well as a set of swings in this packed play space. Half of the park is wood chips and half is soft rubber and large trees and neighboring buildings provide bits of shade throughout the day. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and there are a few benches. All in all, great playground with interesting equipment; highly recommend.
Humbert Park features a basic, no-frills playground with a large play structure, the standard set of swings, and small circle-seat zipline. Additional amenities like a drinking fountain, picnic tables, or even some grass would certainly improve the park (at least for the adults) but the play structures are nice and provide lots of climbing and sliding options. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. The play surface is wood chips and a few large trees provide a decent amount of shade throughout the day and there are a few benches for seating.
This playground - one of many in Jackson Park - is located near 67th and Jeffery. It features a large play structure for older children that is accessible via a ramp carved into the terrain as well as a smaller structure for younger children. The playground equipment is standard for Chicago Parks and there is also a standard set of swings. The play area is fully enclosed and the surface is soft rubber.
This playground - one of several in Jackson Park - is near 64th and Stony Island and is a standard Chicago Park playground. There is a single large play structure with a variety of play elements as well as a standard set of swings. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are benches near the playground and the nearby fieldhouse should provide access to bathrooms and a drinking fountain (when open). All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground.
This playground - one of 7 in Jackson Park! - is located in the very northwest corner of the park near 56th and Stony Island and is called Dickerson Playlot according to Park District signage. It features a large play structure with a couple slides, a variety of monkey bars and other overhead elements, and some climbing features. There is also a standard set of swings in this somewhat shady and wood chipped play area. The partially enclosed play area is surrounded by grass and large trees and offers views of the nearby Metra Electric Line.
This small playground near the northwest corner of Jackson Park is named Chrysalis Playground according to Park District signage and has a small nature theme. There are decorative trees, a unique egg-shaped chair, and an "animal facts" spinning panel. There is also standard equipment like slides and climbing steps that seem designed for younger children. The play area is fully enclosed and somewhat shaded by large trees. The play surface is wood chips and while there aren't benches, the low perimeter wall provides some seating.
This playground - one of many located in Jackson Park - is located on 67th between East End and Ridgeland. It features a distinctive set of playground equipment that includes a larger structure for older children and a smaller structure for younger children. There is also a rope traverse feature and the standard set of swings. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips.
This playground, situated on the 63rd Street Beach, reflects it's location with a strong nautical theme. The entire play structure is shaped like a ship and is equipped with a steering wheel, tall mast, and even canons! This playground is fully integrated with the beach and is therefore not enclosed, in full sun, and the play surface is - of course - sand. This creates a unique play experience and offers some great views of Lake Michigan.
The playground at Jacolik Park is a new and modern playground. The centerpiece of the play structure is a large rope/net climbing element with various climbing, overhead, and traverse elements connected to it. There is a solid set of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and hammock saucer swing) to round out the playground equipment.
In terms of amenities, this is pretty standard. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are benches and a drinking fountain as well as a few trees (though the play area itself is bright and sunny most of the day). All in all, this is a standard neighborhood playground.
Kennicott Park is a moderate sized neighborhood park in the Kenwood Neighborhood with a great little playground. The playground features a somewhat sprawling play structure with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and overhead features. There are two standalone elements and a set of swings with the Chicago Park standards: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms and drinking fountains (when open). All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground; highly recommend.
Kenwood Community Park is a great park. There are fields for active recreation and - on the northern edge - a wonderful playground with two large play structures, a sandbox, and a water spray area. Both areas are fenced from the street and feature a soft rubber play surface shaded by large trees and plenty of benches. The sandbox is quite nice and there is a standard 'four sprayer' water sprayer. A small fieldhouse should provide access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a wonderful playground; highly recommend.
Set in the northeast corner of Lake Meadows Park is a solid playground designed for a variety of ages. There is a very small play structure for younger children and a then a large, sprawling structure for older children. The larger structure includes a few slides, climbing elements, traversing elements, and a variation on monkey bars. There are also two swing sets with the standard Chicago Park varieties: toddler, adaptive with harness, and belt seat swing. The other elements of this park aren't novel but are classic playground features. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and opens to the rest of the grassy park. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches for seating. Trees provide some shade but the playground is bright and sunny. The site does offer great views of the trains passing on the train tracks to the east. All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground.
Lyle Park, situated on a stretch of Wallace Ave that feels more like an alley and next to an elevated freight train line, features some great graffiti art and climbing elements. The main play structure was installed in 2016 and features a number of unique metal climbing and traversing elements and - curiously - just one metal slide. There are swings (toddler, traditional, and tire) in the narrow play area too. The play surface is wood chips and is shaded by large trees.
