Albany Park

Renovated in 2015, this playground is the centerpiece of tiny Spikings Farm Park. This structure is made by Kompan and features a few slides and climbing features as well as the standard set of swings. The play area is fully enclosed and the main play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain near the entrance of this bright and sunny park.

The playground at Ronan Park is located just south of Argyle St. on the west bank of the North Branch of the Chicago River and features dedicated areas for younger and older children. The area for younger children features toddler swings, a small play structure, and a teeter-tooter and 'seat on a spring.' The area for older children features belt seat and molded plastic seat swings as well as a larger structure with angled monkey bars and steeper slides. Neither play area is enclosed at all but both are set away from nearby streets. Both are also covered in wood chips and there are benches nearby both areas. The nearby park also offers a nature trail near the river and picnic tables and sculptures further south toward Lawrence.

This small playground - one of two in River Park - sits on the west side of the park near the corner of Carmen and Albany and the confluence of the North Branch of the Chicago River and the North Shore Channel. This playground is quite small and features toddler swings and a tire swing, an overhead slider and S-shaped monkey bars, and a small play structure. The surface is rubberized and gets some afternoon shade from nearby trees.

This small, neighborhood park features a clean and modern playground on a quiet triangular lot in the Ravenswood Manor neighborhood. There are a few varieties of swings and dedicated areas for younger and older children. There are also plenty of benches and picnic tables and shady corners in the rest of the park making for a comfortable playground experience.

North Mayfair park contains a small playground with lots of shade and seating. The main play structure is good sized and features lots of slides and climbing elements. There is the the standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a little play house area. The park itself is tucked away on a quiet side street and is shaded by large trees. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the surface is wood chips. There are plenty of benches as well as two picnic tables with built in shade roofs. All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground.

Jensen Park is a small park with a great playground. There is a smaller structure for younger children, a large structure for older children, and a small set of swings. The large structure is accessible by a ramp and sprawls without getting too high off the ground. All in all, this playground has some great elements. The non-play amenities, however, are pretty basic. There are benches and a soft rubber play surface but there isn't much shade or other amenities. Despite these imperfections, this is still a fine neighborhood park and a good place to play.

The playground at Eugene Field Park has two play structures, a set of swings, a water spray feature, and some above average amenities making it a great spot near the Chicago River. The large play structure features a ramp from the soft rubber surface making it accessible to people using a wheelchair. This structure isn't very tall but is somewhat sprawling with two variations of monkey bars attached as well as two slides. The other structure is quite small and is designed for younger children. The water spray feature includes two elements: two water loops that produce a gentle mist and 'triple shower sprayer' with a bit more intense spray. Both are set in a concrete area with a row of benches under a simple shade pavilion. In addition to benches, there are a few picnic tables in the play area. The play area isn't quite fully enclosed but is set back from the street and fenced from the nearest streets. The play surface is soft rubber and large trees provide some shade - especially in the afternoon and evening. All in all, this is a great playground with some solid amenities; highly recommend. Though not connected to this playground, the natural area just north of the North Branch (follow the pedestrian bridge near the fieldhouse) or the Nature Play Area a few blocks to the east are also worth checking out.