There is a great playground and water spray feature located in the northeast corner of O'Hallaren Park. The playground features two play structures - the larger one accessible via a ramp - that are both shaded by large, mature trees. The play surface is soft rubber and the play area is fenced from the street (though not fully enclosed). There are benches for seating and a nearby Park District building should provide access to bathrooms (when open). The water spray feature is located in a sunny opening a short walk from the playground. All in all, this is a great park; highly recommend.
The playground at Oakdale Park is a gem and shows how combining equipment, amenities, and nature makes for a great playground experience. The playground equipment is solid but not vastly different from other playgrounds; there is a moderate play structure with slides and climbing elements, a smaller 'play dinosaur' designed for younger children, and a set of swings (toddler and belt seat). There is a small water spray feature a little ways away as well.
The non-playable amenities are also solid: there are ample benches and the play surface is soft rubber. Perhaps the best feature is that the playground is surrounded - and shaded!- by large, mature trees. I might be bias in favor of trees and shade, but this site is a reminder that getting the basics right - equipment, amenities, and surroundings - can create a wonderful playground; highly recommend.
The playground Rainey Park is located on the north side of the park and features a small play structure, a large selection of swings, and some standalone elements. The play structure is relatively small and features a few slides and traversing elements. For swings, this park has toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and tire swings. There is also a see-saw, spinning sphere, and large overhead spinning element. This playground is not enclosed but is set back from all traffic. The play area is somewhat shaded and the play surface is wood chips.
This small, neighborhood playground is in the northwest corner of Ridge Park and was renovated in 2013 with modern playground equipment including a variety of monkey bars, slides, and the standard mix of swings. This playground also has a small train play area and overlooks the Metra tracks so might be good for a child interested in trains. The surface is wood chips and there are a few benches around the perimeter.
Robichaux Park contains a large playground and a water spray feature. The playground contains a variety of climbing elements, slides, and even a circle seat zipline and seems designed to challenge older children. There is also a standard set of Chicago Park swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The water spray feature is a standard 'four sprayer.' The overall setting is beautiful with large trees nearby (though the playground itself is bright and sunny). However, I don't recall seeing any benches near the playground; added these would greatly improve the site. A nearby fieldhouse should provide access to bathrooms and a drinking fountain (when open). All in all, a good playground that could be a great one with a few benches and picnic tables.
On the northside of Jackie Robinson Park and shaded by large trees, there is a huge and wonderful playground. It is a single large structure that sprawls and soars; it sprawls to include a variety of ramps and climbing elements and soars to great heights with a three story central core. There are a few standalone elements and the standard set of Chicago Park swings but the huge structure is the main attraction.
The amenities are solid too. Both benches and picnic tables offer ample seating. The play surface is soft rubber and the play area is shaded by large, mature trees that opens directly to the rest of the park. A small comfort station nearby provides access to bathrooms (when open).
All in all, this is a wonderful playground; highly recommend.
The playground in Scottsdale Park is tucked into the shady northwest corner of the park. This playground features a medium-sized play structure, a string of connected climbing/traversing elements, and the standard Chicago Park District swings. The play area is fenced from the street but is not fully enclosed. The play area is heavily shaded by trees and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches under a shade pavilion as well a drinking fountain. The nearby fieldhouse should provide bathroom access (when open).
The Grove Playground is a small neighborhood pocket park with a decent playground and a few swing options. The main play structure is good size with a few slides and climbing options; attached the the structure is a collection of traverse and overhead elements to challenge older children. This park offers toddler, belt seat, and a tire swing. The park is shaded by beautiful trees and has a drinking fountains but - strangely - I don't recall any benches. The play area is fenced from the street and the play surface is wood chips.
Wallace Park contains a non-traditional playground and very traditional water spray feature. The playground is not a typical play structure and slides - and there aren't even traditional swings at this park! Instead, there is a collection of rope and net climbing elements, two saucer swings, and a collection of rope/net traverse elements. The water spray feature - on the other hand - is a very traditional 'four sprayer'. The play area is fenced from the street and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches for seating and trees for shade. All in all, this is an interesting playground.
