Hyde Park

Bixler Park contains a wonderful playground with a large sandbox and a water spray feature. There are two main structures - one for younger and one for older children - each with modern elements. In addition, there is a play train, a large sandbox, and a single pole water sprayer. The non-play elements are also great. The fully enclosed play area features benches and a drinking fountain and gets some shade from the nearby trees. The play surface is wood chips (outside the sandbox) and the playground is nicely tucked into a quiet corner of the park. All in all, this is a wonderful playground; highly recommend.

Butternut Park features a large playground with two separate area in a small and shady location. Near the entrance is a set of elements for older children including some monkey bars and slides as well as a large rope/net climbing structure. Near the back of the park is a smaller structure for younger children and a set of toddler swings. There are also the standard swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a few standalone elements. The site itself is located in the middle of a residential block and is fully enclosed. The main play surface is wood chips though there is a grassy area as well. There aren't formal benches but low walls throughout the site provide some seating and large, mature trees provide shade. All things considered, this is a good neighborhood playground.

Coleman Park is a small neighborhood park in the middle of a residential block with a great playground and water spray feature. There are two play structures - a smaller one for younger children and a larger one for older children - as well as two sets of swings, a sand play area (with a unique concrete table), and a standard 'four sprayer' with a concrete seal sculpture in the middle. All together, this playground elevates some standard equipment to something better than the sum of its parts. The setting is great; the park has some great trees and it's location on a quiet street is quite nice. The non-play amenities include benches and a drinking fountain and the main play surface is wood chips. This is a great little playground and definitely worth a visit.

This playground - one of two in Nichols Park - is located on the east side of the park and seems designed for older children. Rather than a traditional play structure, this playground is a collection of various climbing and traversing elements as well as a few standalone elements (including a zipline!). The playground is fenced from the street but is not fully enclosed and instead opens directly into the park. Although there aren't benches of picnic tables, the low perimeter wall provides some seating. Large trees provide some shade to the area and the play surface is wood chips.

This playground - one of two in Nichols Park - is located on the west side and is designed for younger children. There is a small, somewhat traditional play structure, swings appropriate for younger children (toddler and adaptive) and a few standalone elements including a spinning bowl and a 'drum set.' The play area is wood chips and while it is fenced from the street it is not fully enclosed and instead opens into Nichols Park. Trees provide some shade and a few benches provide some seating.

This playground - called "Shore Playground" according to a Park District sign on the fencing but simply "Burnham Playground" online - was renovated in 2015. It features a large play structure, a few standalone climbing elements, and the standard set of swings. The play area is fully enclosed and is shaded by a few large trees. The surface is wood chips and there are a few benches nearby for seating.

The playground in Spruce Park is a quiet and shady playground with play equipment designed for a variety of children. The main play structure is somewhat sprawling and features a variety of elements including slides and climbing features. It is pretty low to the ground except for one for one section accessible only by some difficult climbing elements; this keeps the area safe for younger children while also challenging for older climbers. There are also a few natural elements: rocks for climbing, a fake hollow log, and an acorn seat. The play area is heavily shaded by large, mature trees. The main play surface is wood chips and the area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain near the play area.

This playground - one of two in Stout Park - is located in the northeast corner of the park and is designed for younger children. It features a small play structure, low-to-the-ground monkey bars, two toddler swings, and a little play house. The play surface is wood chips and the play area is fully enclosed (and opens to the rest of Stout Park). There are a few benches and the area is heavily shaded by large trees.

This playground - one of two in Stout Park - is located in the southeast corner and is designed for older children. There are some swings - belt seat and adaptive with harness - and a four person see-saw as well as a large play structure. The structure includes a vertical climbing net, corkscrew slide, curved slide, and other climbing elements. The play surface is wood chips and the play area is enclosed (and opens to the rest of Stout Park). There are some benches built into the low perimeter walls for seating and large trees provide some shade.

Last renovated in the fall of 2014, Sycamore Park contains a large and somewhat standard playground and set of swings. The play structure is large and features most of the standard equipment: slides, climbing elements and ladders, and a set of monkey bars. The swings are also standard (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and a circle seat zip line is the park's most unusual element. The setting and non-play elements are also standard: the play surface is wood chips and there are benches for seating. There is a drinking fountain and tall, mature trees provide some shade.

The playground in Harold Washington Park has a lot to offer. There are two large play structures - one more traditional with slides and steps and the other less traditional with a large rope/net climbing element. There are also two sets of swings including toddler swings, molded bucket swings with a harness, belt seat swings, and a hammock swing with a spider web seat. There is also a water spray feature and a large sand play area. Aside from the sand area, the main surface is wood chips and the play area is fully enclosed. There are mature trees, benches, and picnic tables providing shade and places to sit and eat.