Humboldt Park

Augusta 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.

The playground at Beilfuss Park is a great playground in an interesting location. The playground itself is quite nice with a large play structure for older children, a standard offering of swings, and some unique "acorn seats". The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and mature trees shading the fully enclosed play space. The rest of the Beilfuss Park is quite empty so there is plenty of space to fly a kite or watch the trains go by on the nearby Metra tracks.

Though not nearly as large as Central Park in NYC, Chicago's Central Park does boast a large play structure for older children and an above-average set of swings. The main play structure includes a number of overhead elements, climbing structures, and slides. There are toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing in this playground. The play area is fenced from the street but is not fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are benches and a drinking fountain but sadly very little shade in the park.

Grand Park is a small neighborhood park with a playground. There are two play structures, a variety of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing), and a few standalone elements. The setting and non-play amenities are basic; there are a few benches and a drinking fountain and the play area is fenced from the streets but not fully enclosed. The main play surface is wood chips.

The Greenebaum Park playground is somewhat standard Chicago Park District playground with a variety of swings, a smaller play structure for younger children, and a larger structure for older children. And "standard" is not an insult - this playground was fully enclosed, has a soft rubber surface, and a few benches. There is also a water spray feature within the enclosed play area as well as views of the train tracks to the North of the park.

Harding Park features a small playground and set of swings. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and is bright and sunny. The play surface is wood chips.

This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park! - is located off California on the eastern edge of the park and is a gem. There is a small, traditional play structure for younger children and then a massive collection of unconventional climbing elements for older children. There is also the standard swing set: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The play area is fully enclosed and features a soft rubber surface. There are benches and two picnic tables as well as a drinking fountain. This is a great playground; highly recommend.

This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park - is located on the very north side of the park near the intersection of North Ave and Richmond. The centerpiece is a tall, tower-like two story play structure with an internal ladder and a long curved slide. There are a few other standalone elements, a set of monkey bars, and the standard Chicago Park swings: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat swings. Despite the solid play elements, the other amenities are somewhat basic: a wood chip play surface without much shade and no benches for seating (a low perimeter wall provides some informal seating and, somewhat strangely, there is a single picnic table just outside the enclosed play area). Despite the somewhat basic amenities, this is a solid playground.

This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park - is located in the northeast corner of the park just north of the Humboldt Park lagoon. This playground is also somewhat not traditional - there aren't standard toddler or belt seat swings or even a slide in the entire sprawling playground! Instead, there are a few non-traditional swings (one tire swing and a few saucer swings), a rope net climbing structure, a collection of rope net traverse elements, and an area with spinning elements. The centerpiece of this playground is a large water spray feature. With the somewhat non-traditional elements are some solid amenities. There are a few benches and trees for seating and shade. The play area is fenced from the surrounding park and set away from cars and traffic creating a surprisingly quiet play experience in the busy city. And the play surface is the classic wood chips. It's a solid playground; highly recommend.

This playground - one of five in Humboldt Park - is located on the southern edge of the park next to the Humboldt Park Pool. This playground features very modern equipment: a large curving climbing wall, a wavy black belt bridge, and a standalone 'rail slide.' These very non-traditional elements are balanced by the traditional set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a standard (if not boring) water spray feature. The amenities are also traditional: an enclosed play area with a wood chip surface and a few benches scatter about. Additional shade and seating would improve this playground, but it is adequate as is.

This playground - one of 5 in Humboldt Park - is located on the west side of the park near Division and Kedzie. This playground is a great play area surrounded by trees and features a swing set, a small play structure for younger children, and a large, sprawling play structure for older children with a variety of slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars. The amenities are also quite nice. The play area is fenced from the street (though not fully enclosed) and nicely surrounded by mature trees. Inside the play area are a few benches and even a picnic table for seating. The play surface is soft rubber and the larger play structure is somewhat accessible by a ramp. All in all, this is a solid playground with amenities to make it a comfortable place for the whole family; highly recommend.

Kedvale Park features a great playground with two large play structures, two sets of swings, and a water spray feature. Both structures are accessible by ramp and feature a variety of slides and climbing elements. The swings are standard for Chicago Parks and there is also a water spray feature for the summer month. The play area is fenced from the street (but not fully enclosed) and the play surface is soft rubber. There are benches and large, mature trees doting the play space providing some seating and shade. The nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a wonderful playground with large play structures in a solid environment. Highly recommend.

Located in the northwest corner of the park, the playground at Kells Park features a large play structure with several slides and climbing elements as well as the standard set of Park District swings. The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the surface is wood chips. There are a few benches near the bright and sunny play area.

The small Keystone Park playground is somewhat not-traditional - no standard swings! - but is an interesting playground nonetheless. The main climbing structure is made of rope netting and has platforms leading to a few slides. There are also two standalone elements: a large hammock style saucer swing and a conical climbing net that spins. There are a few benches and the fully enclosed play area is covered with wood chips.

Linden Park is a small park with a basketball court, playground, and water spray feature. The playground, last renovated in 2014, includes a large and sprawling set of equipment with bright neon colors. There is also a large set of swings (toddler, adaptive, belt seat, and a tire swing) and the water spray feature is a basic 'four sprayer.' The non-play amenities are standard: a few benches around a play area with a wood chip surface.

The playground at Ohio & Harding Park is a decent playground with a sprawling play structure, a few standalone elements, and the standard set of swings. The play structure never gets very high but instead spreads out and offers a variety of slides and climbing elements. The swings at the rear of the site are standard for Chicago Parks: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. The play area is somewhat shaded by large trees and is fenced from the street (but not fully enclosed). The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches for seating and a drinking fountain nearby.