Near South Side

The playground in Park 540 is located near 24th and S Dearborn that, despite it's location near downtown, is actually somewhat quiet. The playground features two large play structures with a variety of slides and climbing elements. Interestingly, there are no swings in this playground - a relative rarity for Chicago Parks! The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is soft rubber (one of the structures also includes a ramp so it is somewhat accessible). The playground is bright and sunny without much shade and there are a few benches for seating.

The playground in Jones Park is great. There are three 'rooms': one contains a large play structure for older children, another contains a variety of swings, and the final area contains small equipment for younger children. The large play structure includes a lot of slides and climbing elements as well as a circular monkey bar. The swing area includes just the standards: toddler, adaptive, and belt seat. And the area for younger children features a tiny standalone slide and a large, multi-car play train. The play area is fully enclosed from the street and opens into the rest of the park. The play surface is soft rubber and there are benches for seating as well as several shady areas throughout the park. All in all, this is a great playground tucked into a quiet part of the Near South Side; highly recommend.

The playground at Cotton Tail park features swings and a small play structure on one side of a gazebo and a large sandbox and play ship on the other. The play structure is small and relatively simple with just two slides and limited climbing features. It offers the standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) as well. On the other side is a large sand play area with a play ship with a single slide and a climbing net. Given the nature of the equipment, this is a great play space for younger children with great imaginations. The play surface is soft rubber (except the sand play area which is...sand) and although the playground opens directly into the park the majority of the park is fenced from nearby streets. There are benches and a few picnic tables for seating as well as a drinking fountain. The gazebo provides some shade but the play areas are bright and sunny. This is an interesting playground that is worth checking out.

The playground at Coliseum Park is an interesting and modern playground. There are only a few pieces of playground equipment in this park - a large and multifaceted 'climbing cabin' with a slide, a hammock style saucer swing, a single curved slide, some stepping stumps, and a spinning seat - making this a good spot for younger children to explore on their own. The surface is soft rubber and it is mounded in places in ways that transform the ground itself into a play element. The park is small and heavily shaded by trees and neighboring buildings. The CTA train passes right next to the site; which is great for train lovers and perhaps a little loud for other kids. There are benches throughout the park and while the play area is not separate from the park, the entire park is fenced from the street making this a good place for kids to explore. All in all, this is a wonderful little playground; highly recommend.

This playground - officially part of Burnham Park - is located just south of the museum campus and northeast of Solider Field and consists of a single rope/net climbing element. The surface is sort rubber and although it is tucked away between trees and small hills, this site is not enclosed and quite open to the roads nearby. There are a few benches for seating. This play structure is incorporated into the Solider Field Children's Garden. According to the Chicago Park District's website, this Children's Garden "thematically relates to the three museums nearby—the Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium. Throughout the play space, various features evoke the themes of each museum. Large sculptural spheres representing the Earth can be climbed on or walked through. A path spirals around like a nautilus. There is a spider web-like jungle gym. Children who explore carefully will also find other subtle imagery such as seahorses and the Milky Way."