Far Southwest Playgrounds

The playground in Ada Park is located in the northwest corner of the park and features a large play structure suitable for older children. There are several large slides and challenging overhead elements as well as a few climbing and traversing features. There are two sets of swings with the standard Chicago Park options (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat). There is a water spray feature nearby - but it is integrated with the pool and not the playground. The play area opens to the park but is fenced from the street. There are benches and a picnic table and the wood chip covered play area is heavily shaded by large, mature trees. All in all, a solid playground.

This 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.

Located in the northwest corner of Beverly Park, this playground - named the Maeve McNicholas Playlot - features a variety of interesting climbing elements and a small water spray feature. This isn't a traditional playground with a single, large play structure (or even monkey bars or a standard ladder!) but is rather a collection of elements with lots of rope/net climbing options. The most traditional structure has a few slides but all the climbing elements are rope net tunnels and bridges. There is also a huge, multifaceted net climbing element with a large curving slide sure to challenge advanced climbers. There is also a set of rope/net traversing elements and a standalone spinning conical net climber. The one standard element are the swings; they are the standard toddler and belt seat swings along with a hammock-style saucer swing. The water spray feature is a 'misting whale tail' which provides a gentle spray. The playground has solid amenities for families as well. There are benches and picnic tables near the play area as well as trees for some shade. The play area is not fully enclosed but is fenced from the street and opens into the rest of the park. The surface is artificial turf - a relative rarity for Chicago Parks! All in all, this is a wonderful and interesting playground; highly recommend.

Blackwelder Park features a solid playground and water spray feature. The playground features two structures - a smaller one for younger children and a larger one for older children - as well as a set of swings featuring the Chicago Park standards: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The larger structure is accessible via a ramp and features a few climbing and overhead elements as well. The water spray feature is a standard and effective "triple shower sprayer." The non-playable amenities are also solid. There are benches and two picnic tables for seating as well as a drinking fountain. The play surface is soft rubber and the play area is fenced from the street (and nearby train tracks) but is not fully enclosed. Large trees border the space and provide some shade and sense of enclosure. All in all, this is a wonderful playground; highly recommend.

Last renovated in the summer of 2015, the playground at Bogan Park is located in the shady southeast corner of the park and features two play structures. The smaller play structure is designed for smaller children and the larger for older children. There is also a set of swings offering the standard Chicago Park options: toddler, adaptive with harness, and belt seat. The play area is quite shaded by large, mature trees and is fenced from the street. The play surface is wood chips and there is a bench and drinking fountain nearby. All in all, this is a standard neighborhood playground in the best sense of the term.

Brainerd Park features a solid neighborhood playground and water spray feature on the west side of the park. The playground contains two structure. The smaller structure is designed for younger children and the larger structure is designed for older children and is quite large and sprawling. It contains a variety of slides and climbing elements and is partially accessible via a ramp. There is also the standard Chicago Park swing options: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The water spray feature is a triple shower sprayer. The non-play elements are also solid. The play area is fully enclosed and the soft rubber play surface is shaded by large trees. There are benches in the play area and the park building to the south should provide access to bathrooms and a drinking fountain (when open). All in all, this is everything a neighborhood playground should be; highly recommend.

This playground is set in the moderate sized Maggie Cosme Park on a quiet street in Beverly. The play structures are moderate in size and offer a variety of swings, slides, and climbing structures. Although there are trees in the park, the playground is bright and sunny. There are a few benches for seating and the playground overlooks the Metra station.

Dawes Park features a great playground and small water spray feature. The playground includes a variety of swings and a moderate sized play structure with a number of climbing and overhead elements sprawling from the main structure. I am strongly biased in favor of shady playgrounds and this playground has great shade. The play surface is wood chips and is fenced from the street. A small comfort station provides access to bathroom and a drinking fountain (when open) and a single pole water spray feature is great in the summer months. Great playground; highly recommend.

The playground at Dooley Park is a small site with well-loved but well-maintained equipment. The Chicago Park website doesn't provide information about the last renovation of this playground, but Google Streetview shows this same equipment in place since at least 2007. However, the main play structure is still quite functional with a variety of slides and climbing elements. Because I'm bias in favor of shade, soft rubber surfaces, and benches - this site gets high makes because it has all three. The play site is also fully enclosed. All in all, this is a great neighborhood playground; highly recommend.

This small playground features a small structure for younger children, a larger structure for older children, a zip line, monkey bars, and a traversing element in addition to standard swings. The surface is wood chips and the play area is bright and sunny.

Euclid Park features a nice and somewhat shaded playground and small water spray feature. The playground is located near 98th and Parnell and contains a large and sprawling play structure with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and overhead challenges. The site also contains the standard Chicago Park swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. A little further into the park - near the fieldhouse - is the small water spray feature: a 'four sprayer.' The non-playable amenities are classic: wood chips, wooden benches, some shade, and a drinking fountain. The play are is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed; the fieldhouse should provide access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this playground gets high marks across the board.