Ping Tom Park is one of the best parks in Chicago and the playground, while somewhat standard, does not disappoint. It contains two play structures and a number of small, standalone elements, as well as swings and seating. The smaller play structure is designed for younger children and is quite small and accessible. The larger structure is somewhat sprawling and including a variety of elements: monkey bars, climbing elements, slides, and more. No element is truly remarkable or unique but the entire play structure is above average. There are a few unique standalone elements and a standard set of swings.
The play area is entirely enclosed and the playground set near the middle of the park and is removed from cars and traffic. However, this park is near three (3!) active train lines including the CTA Orange Line, Metra and Amtrak trains (which cross the South Branch of the Chicago River on a bridge) and an active freight train line. So despite the distance from cars and traffic, this is playground has great views of trains and river traffic. The play area contains a number of benches and picnic tables and is shaded by several large trees making it a comfortable to sit and gather. The surface of the playground is soft rubber.
Outside the playground, this park has other amenities worth exploring as a family: a large pagoda near the river, two large murals on the 18th Street overpass, and a natural area on the north side of the park. All in all, this is a great playground in a great park; highly recommend.
This playground - one of four in Washington Park - has a solid play structure and would be improved with additional amenities. The play structure is a single, sprawling structure with lots of options: slides, climbing elements, monkey bars, an overhead slider, etc. There are also two sets of swings with the standard Chicago Park options: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The play surface is wood chips and - although there are some fences to create a sense of space - and the area is surrounded by beautiful trees. However, other basic amenities - benches, picnic tables, drinking fountains - are lacking; adding these would greatly improve the site.
This playground - one of four in Washington Park - was renovated in 2022 and is a wonderful playground. It includes a single large play structure, a large set of swings, a few standalone elements, and a water spray feature. The structure has a nature theme and features a variety of slides and climbing elements. The swing set includes the standard swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The swing set also includes two 'double swings' - one with two belt seats and one with a belt seat and a toddler seat. The standalone alone elements include some interesting musical elements and the water spray element is a 'loch ness mister' and an spray element shaped like a flower.
The entire area is enclosed and features nice amenities like benches, picnic tables, a drinking fountain (with a bottle filler!), and a bike rack. Washington Park is a beautiful setting and the area is surrounded by tall trees; these trees provide some shade but the play area is also quite open and sunny. All in all, this is a great playground and worth checking out - highly recommend.
This playground - one of four in Washington Park - is located on the east side of the park just north of 55th street. It features a large and sprawling play structure with a variety of swings. The structure is pretty standard and offers lots of standard play elements (slides, climbing elements, monkey bars) and overall works quite well. There are swings - toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing - as well as a few small standalone elements. The amenities are just the basics: a few wooden benches and a play surface of wood chips. Nearby trees provide some shade but the playground itself is bright and sunny.
This playground - one of four in Washington Park - is located just of the Washington Park pool and is a wonderful space. The playground is quite large with multiple areas full of equipment: an open area with 'animals on springs', a sprawling and accessible play structure for younger children, a more standard structure for older children, a non-traditional set of climbing elements, swings, and a water spray feature. All in all, great play elements.
The non-play elements are also high quality. The play area is fully enclosed and is shaded by large and beautiful trees. There are benches and small picnic/game tables for seating and the pavement itself is designed and imprinted with quotes and other graphics The play surface is soft rubber and the nearby pool facilities should provide access to bathrooms (when open).
Really great playground - highly recommend.
The playground in Harold Washington Park has a lot to offer. There are two large play structures - one more traditional with slides and steps and the other less traditional with a large rope/net climbing element. There are also two sets of swings including toddler swings, molded bucket swings with a harness, belt seat swings, and a hammock swing with a spider web seat. There is also a water spray feature and a large sand play area. Aside from the sand area, the main surface is wood chips and the play area is fully enclosed. There are mature trees, benches, and picnic tables providing shade and places to sit and eat.
The Wentworth Gardens playground is tucked behind the field house building and just north of the outdoor pool. In this quiet location, you'll find a moderately sized play structure with just a few slides, climbing features, one overhead element, and one hammock style saucer swing. The surface is soft rubber and there are benches for comfortable seating.
This park - named Williams-Davis Park in honor of Hattie Kay Williams and Izora Davis - contains a wonderful playground at the western edge of the pedestrian footbridge over DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The main play structure is quite large and features a number of slides and climbing elements and interactive panels. It is also accessible via a ramp for those using wheelchairs or in strollers. There are also a number of interesting standalone features: a single mast net climbing structure, a somewhat abstract climbing structure, a spinning bowl, and a large see-saw. There is also a standard set of park district swings. In the same play area is a water spray feature with two water loops and some jets from the ground.
The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. There are a number of benches in the play area and a few picnic tables just outside the enclosed area. While there is a drinking fountain, there is not much shade for this playground and it remains bright and sunny most of the day. All in all, this is a wonderful playground; highly recommend.
This playground - south of the intersection of 27th and Federal Street - is likely a 'shared site' between Williams Park and Drake Elementary (the local signage was not clear). Regardless, this is a shady site with some wonderful playground equipment. The play area is fully enclosed and features a soft rubber play surface.
Wilson Park contains a solid playground and water spray feature. There are two play structures - one for younger children and one for older children - and a small water spray feature. There are a few benches and a park district fieldhouse that provides bathroom access (when open). The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. The play equipment and the amenities make this a solid neighborhood playground.
The playground at Woodhull Park is located in the northeast corner of the park and features two play structures and a small water feature. The smaller structure is designed for younger children and includes a few slides and climbing elements. The larger structure also includes slides as well as a variety of climbing elements with monkey bars and other traversing elements attached. Most platforms of this structure are also accessible via a ramp and the main surface is soft rubber making this play structure somewhat accessible. The water spray feature nearby is small and features a single bent pole water sprayer. The area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. There are a few benches and trees for seating and shade.
