Grand Crossing

Small Dobson Park contains a playground with two play structures and a standard set of swings. One play structure is designed for younger children and the other is designed for older children. The larger play structure contains a few slides, climbing elements, and traversing elements. The play area has a wood chip surface and is fully enclosed. There are a few benches in the play area and a few trees providing some shade.

Located on the west side of Grand Crossing Park (just west of the fieldhouse) is the playground. Fully enclosed and with a surface of soft rubber, this playground features two play structures and the standard varieties of swings. The play structures aren't remarkable but are solid structures with slides and climbing elements. The larger structure is somewhat accessible by a ramp and the entrance to the playground is barrier-free for those in strollers or using wheelchairs. There is also a small freestanding climbing wall in the play area. There are a few benches and trees in the area providing seating and shade and there is a drinking fountain and access to the field house for other amenities. There is also a simple single pole water sprayer just to the south of the playground.

This park features a large playground structure, a variety of swings, and a small water spray feature. The play structure contains a variety of slides and climbing elements and the variety of swings: toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and tire. The water spray feature is a small four sprayer. The playground is fenced from the street and the main play surface is wood chips with some trees and benches for shade and seating.

Lyle Park, situated on a stretch of Wallace Ave that feels more like an alley and next to an elevated freight train line, features some great graffiti art and climbing elements. The main play structure was installed in 2016 and features a number of unique metal climbing and traversing elements and - curiously - just one metal slide. There are swings (toddler, traditional, and tire) in the narrow play area too. The play surface is wood chips and is shaded by large trees.

Meyering Park features two large play structures, a variety of swings, and a large water playground. The smaller play structure is designed for younger children and features a few climbing elements and slides. The larger structure includes a plank bridge, a few slides, and various overhead elements along with a large set of swings . There is also a water playground located just to the east of the 'traditional' playground. The surface is soft rubber and there are a few benches for seating. Large trees provide some shade throughout the day and the fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms.

Periwinkle Park is located near the junction of the Chicago Skyway and I-94; this fact of location is relevant to the playground at this site because 1) the road noise is quite loud in the playground and 2) it may explain the concrete aesthetic for this playground. Though wood chips are the primary play surface, there is a striking amount of concrete in this park including benches, stairs, and a raised platform. One slide is somewhat integrated into the concrete and the rest of the structures seems like modern structures set between the concrete elements. So the overall aesthetic is somewhat bizarre but not terrible. Beyond the small structure, there is a small water spray feature in a corner of the park. The play area has a few benches and gets some morning shade from tall trees to the east of the park But the playground tends to be bright, sunny, and - thanks to the highway - quite loud.

Railroad Junction Park is a shady and small neighborhood park with a great playground. This playground includes a standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) as well as a large play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements. The play area is fenced from the street but is not full enclosed. The play surface is wood chips and a highlight of this park is the shade created by large, mature trees. There are also benches surrounding the play area making this a comfortable park.