Avondale

Algonquin Park is a small neighborhood pocket park in the middle of a quiet street with a great playground. There are two play structures (one for younger kids and the other for older) that features the standard slides and climbing elements. There are a few standalone elements like a see-saw and 'things on a spring' as well as a set of swings near the back of the site. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches, a picnic table, and a drinking fountain in this bright and sunny park. In my mind, this is a perfect neighborhood playground; highly recommend.

Avondale Park is a nice neighborhood park with a fieldhouse, outdoor pool, water spray feature, and a nice playground. The playground is tucked just north of the fieldhouse and includes a large, sprawling play structure and the standard set of swings. There is also a large sandbox and a water spray feature nearby. The play area is fully enclosed and is bright and sunny. There are a few benches and the play surface is wood chips. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms and drinking fountains (when open).

The playground at Brands Park is an accessible and solid playground with two main play structures and the standard set of swings. There is a small play structure for younger children and a much larger structure for older children. Several slides and platforms of the larger structure are accessible via a ramp built into the hillside making this somewhat accessible. There are also a few overhead elements - a variation on monkey bars and an overhead slider - attached to the larger play structure. The swings are standard (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and there are a few 'vehicles on springs' near the smaller structure. The amenities here are somewhat above average. There are benches and picnic tables within the fully enclosed play area and the main play surface is soft rubber. The Brands Park fieldhouse is quite close and provides access to bathrooms (when the building is open). Although there are some trees near the playground, the play area itself tends to be bright and sunny. All in all, this is a solid playground with some great amenities.

Most recently renovated in 2015, Elston Park contains a small playground with modern Kompan equipment. It features two moderate sized structures with bold colors and geometric shapes. These structures contain slides and climbing elements and a variety of traversing elements (though no monkey bars). There are two sets of swings and a small single mast net climbing structure. The play area is fully enclosed and the the play surface is wood chips. There are some benches and trees for seating and shade.

Grape Park was created in the 1970s on land leftover from the nearby Kennedy Expressway and features a small playground last rebuilt in 2015. The small, triangular site features a moderately sized play structure with a variety of climbing elements and slides as well as a set of toddler swings. This playground has a classic vibe - wood chip surface with a few benches - with an abundance of shade from the trees doting the site. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed.

Tucked in the middle of a residential block, Nelson Park is a tiny Chicago Park with a neighborhood playground. There is a single play structure with one slide that is connected to a variation of monkey bars as well as several traversing/climbing elements. This park also offers a variety of swing options: toddler, belt seat, and a tire swing. The play area is fully enclosed and is bright and sunny and the play surface is wood chips.

Contrary to the name, you cannot actually view other parks when in Parkview Park. Interesting name aside, there is a great playground on the north end of the Parkview Park that includes two large play structures and a variety of swings. The smaller play structure is lower to the ground and features a number of interactive panels and small climbing elements. The larger structure consists of several platforms connected by various climbing and overhead elements. Completing the playground is a spinning, four seat merry-go-round and swings: toddler, tire, belt seat, and adaptive. The play area is fully enclosed and there are a few benches and a picnic table near the play area. There are also some large trees to provide moments of shade throughout the day.

3520 N Sacramento Ave Chicago, IL 60618