Drinking Fountains
Drinking fountains are another piece of park infrastructure that is really easy to overlook but that is often essential. These are playgrounds that have drinking fountains in or next to the play area.
A few notes:
- All of the outdoor drinking fountains are seasonal (i.e. they are not operational in the colder months).
- This site doesn't (and really cannot) track whether a drinking fountain is out of order; this site just tracks if one is installed.
- We also don't track the type of drinking fountain though that would be an interesting side project!
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Abbott Park - PlaygroundAbbott Park's playground is located in the northeast corner of the park and features a large play structure. This structure includes a few slides and some unique climbing elements. There is also a variety of swings (toddler and tire; belt seat and molded plastic with harness) and a see-saw and a car on a spring. The play area is not fully enclosed but the playground is set away from the street. The play surface is wood chips and low perimeter walls provide some seating. There are two water spray features just to the north of the playground. -
Adams (George & Adele) Park - PlaygroundAdams Park has a great sandbox, large playground structures and swings, and a huge water spray feature in a comfortable and quiet environment; these features combine to make Adams Park a destination. The large sandbox has a sun shade umbrella overhead. There is a smaller play structure for younger children and a much larger, somewhat accessible play structure for older children. There are the standard varieties of swings and a see-saw as standalone elements. And the water spray feature is huge and features many different spray elements. The play area is fully enclosed and has a soft rubberized surface. There are a few benches scattered throughout the area and picnic tables tucked away at the south end of the park. The only downside of this park is that it is quite popular and that sometimes the water spray feature is reserved for groups enrolled in Chicago Park District programming and is therefore not accessible to the general public. Even with these downsides, this is a great destination playground for kids in Chicago. -
Algonquin Park - Playground ParkAlgonquin 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. -
Andersonville Park - Playground ParkAndersonville Park offers and nice, shady playground with a large structure for older children and a variety of swings. The large play structure is two platforms connected by a variety of climbing and traversing elements along with a few slides. The swings - toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and tire - are located near the back of the playlot. The play area is fully enclosed and the surface is wood chips. This park is also deeply shaded by large trees and there are a few benches, low walls, and a picnic table for seating. -
Ashmore Park - Playground ParkAshmore Park is a tiny neighborhood park on a residential street with a great little playground. There is a large structure with all the basics (slides, climbing elements, a variation on monkey bars, etc.) and some interactive panels. There are various swings including a toddler, belt, adaptive, and tire variations. The non-play amenities are okay with some exceptional shade from the large tree on and surrounding the site. There are benches, a drinking fountain, and a small table with a chessboard on the surface. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. All in all, this playground is a shady and quiet spot to spend a day at the park. -
Aspen Park - Playground ParkAspen Park is a small pocket park with a nice playground. There is a metal climbing element near the the entrance, a standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) near the rear, and a sprawling play structure in the middle that includes a few slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars. The setting and non-play elements are standard; the play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and a drinking fountain. -
Aster Park - Playground ParkAster Park features a large and sprawling set of playground equipment and a small water spray feature. The play structure has equipment for a range of kids including slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars. The water spray feature is a standard 'four sprayer.' In most respects, it's a standard Chicago Park: wood chips surface, enclosed play area in the middle of the block, and decent shade from trees and neighboring buildings. -
Athletic Field Park - PlaygroundAthletic Field Park is a large park with a great playground and small water spray feature (among other amenities). The playground is situated on the south side of the park near the field house and includes a very small structure for younger children and a much larger structure for older children. There is also a small water spray feature near the playground. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches in the play area and a few picnic tables nearby as well and although there are trees and a small pavilion in the area, the playground itself is bright and sunny. -
Augusta Park - PlaygroundAugusta Park features a playground with two play structures and the standard Chicago Park swings. The smaller play structure is designed for younger children and is relatively small. The other structure is much larger and features a few slides, interactive panels, and overhead elements designed for older children. There are a couple of picnic tables and benches for seating. The play area is fully enclosed and boasts a soft rubber play surface. The playground itself is bright and sunny without much shade and there is a grassy area next to the playground. -
Austin Foster Park - PlaygroundAustin Foster Park - aptly named because it is at the corner of Austin and Foster Ave - is a moderately large park with a few athletic fields and a nice playground. The playground is located at the park's southern edge and features two sprawling structures with lots of equipment. The non-play amenities include benches, a drinking fountain, and a picnic table. The location is right off a busy stretch of Foster Ave, so there is a fair amount of street noise. The play surface is wood chips and there the playground is fenced from Foster but not fully enclosed. All in all, despite the location, this is a good playground with lots of play elements. -
Avalon Park - PlaygroundThe playground in Avalon Park is located just south of 83rd Street and was renovated in 2016. The playground features two large areas - one designed for older kids and the other for younger kids - with a variety of modern equipment. The area for older children features unique net/rope climbing structures whereas the area for younger children features a more traditional play structure. Both areas include age appropriate swings and there are a few additional standalone elements. The playground itself is not enclosed but is removed from any street or parking lot. The play surface is wood chips but is set in a large grassy field and the entire area is very well shaded by large, mature trees. Although there is limited seating around the playground itself, there are benches and picnic tables in the immediate area. Furthermore, there is a dedicated water playground nearby as well. With modern equipment, plenty of shade and seating, and some great water features, this is a great playground. -
Barnard Park - PlaygroundThis small playground features equipment, renovated in 2014, features some interesting elements and some intriguing arrangements of standard elements. Some of the interesting elements include a large metal structures that can be traversed and a metal, spherical globe that appear to be a throwback to earlier eras of playground design. The slide arrangements at this part are also intriguing; standard, single slides are arranges so that they curve under each other or diverge sharply. These unique elements are situated in a standard play area covered with wood chips featuring an area for younger children, an area for older children, and swings.
These are the playgrounds with documented drinking fountains near the play area.