Garfield Park

Renovated in 2013, this small playground is located in the northwest corner of Altgeld Park and features a large play structure designed for older children. This structure includes a few slides, climbing elements, rope bridge, and monkey bars. In a separate area, the playground also contains a small playhouse, a see-saw, and the standard set of swings. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. The site has some large trees that provide some shade and a small, covered pavilion for additional shade.

The playground at Boler Park consists of two separate area dedicated to children of different ages. The area for younger children features elements that are quite small and low to the ground - a log that serves as a balance beam, some steppers, and a tiny play structure with a small slide. The other area features a larger structure with a few slides and climbing elements. The play area is fenced from the street and the main play surface is wood chips. Additional seating (benches or picnic tables) would improve this space as would more shade. But this is still a nice and well-maintained playground with some solid elements.

Dogwood Park is in the middle of a residential block and features some unique playground equipment designed by Kompan. These striking structures are designed with bright colors and bold geometric shapes and both seem designed for younger children. An addition to these structures there are a few swings (toddler, molded plastic, belt, and a saucer swing with spider web seat) and a few other standalone elements. There is also a simple four sprayer water feature near this playground. The surface is wood chips and the play area is fenced but not fully enclosed. There is a single bench for seating near the entrance to this playground.

This playground - one of two in Garfield Park - is located near the northeast corner of the park and features two play structures. The smaller play structure is designed for younger children and features two climbing elements and a slide. The larger play structure is accessible via a ramp and features a large triple slide and a few interactive panels. There are also a number of overhead elements (variations of monkey bars) and traversing elements near the larger play structure. A small swing set completes the play elements in this small playground. The play area is fenced from the street but is not fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber. A few benches and tree provide some seating and shade and a drinking fountain and a couple of picnic tables round out the other amenities.

This playground - one of two in Garfield Park - is located on the east side of the park near the intersection of Madison and Homan and contains two play structure. The smaller play structure is a single modular structure designed for young children; a few other standalone elements and toddler swings are situated nearby. The larger play structure is for older children and features a large twisted net climbing structure, monkey bars, and a few slides. There are fences around parts of the playground but it is not fully enclosed. The play surface is wood chips and a few large trees provide some shade throughout the day.

The playground at Gladys Park features a large structure with a few slides, a small climbing wall, a 'cliff climber' element, and a twisting ladder as well as a few other elements: wave monkey bars, a traversing elements, and a few spinning elements. The play surface is wood chip and is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. This playground lacks important amenities like benches, picnic tables, or a drinking fountain.

The playground in Horan Park is located near the northeast corner of the park and features a unique play structure consisting mainly of rope netting. There is also a large spinning climbing elements, two variations of saucer swings, and another rope climbing element. There is also a small and simple four sprayer water feature. The playground is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. The main surface is wood chips. There is some shade from the large trees to the south of the play area but it's quite open and sunny. The area would benefit from benches or picnic tables; there are currently neither.

This Jefferson Park is named for Nancy Jefferson (nurse, educator, and civic leader) and not Thomas Jefferson (president, author of the Declaration of Independence, slaver owner) as Chicago's other Jefferson Parks are named. This playground at this park was last renovated in 2013 and features brightly colored and modern play structures as well as an interesting 'spinning button.' An above average selection of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing) round out the playground elements. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and features a few benches for seating. The play area is covered in wood chips and shaded by large, mature trees. This is a solid neighborhood playground.

Magnolia Park is a small neighborhood park with a large playground and small water feature. There is a single, large play structure with a variety of climbing elements (rope/net elements, a horizontal wavy ladder, among others) and a few slides. There is also a standalone see-saw and the standard Park District swings divided between two swing sets. The water feature is a simple 'four sprayer' with four jets of water from angled spouts on the ground. The play area, with a surface of wood chips, is fenced from the street and neighboring lots but it not fully enclosed. A low perimeter walls provides some seating but benches or a picnic table would be a welcome addition to this site. There are some large trees that provide shade throughout the day but the playground is bright and sunny most of the day.

Mason Park is a small neighborhood park with a playground and water spray feature. The playground, renovated in 2014, features a single large play structure with several curving slides and a unique 'platform bridge' among other elements. There are also a few standalone elements and a variety of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing). The water feature is slightly south of the playground and features a set of geysers from the ground. While not fully enclosed, the park is fenced from the street and although most of the park is shaded by trees the playground itself is bright and sunny. There are a few benches and the playground's low perimeter wall provides some seating. There is a drinking fountain near the north edge of the playground and the play surface is wood chips.

Park 422 - tucked between a CTA bus garage and an entrance ramp to the Eisenhower Expressway - provides the neighborhood with a small playground and water spray feature. There is a single play structure with a few slides and climbing elements as well as swings and a see-saw. To the west, there is a large circular spray area with water spraying sea animals. The play area is mostly (but not fully) enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches in this bright and sunny park.