North Lawndale

Christiana Park features a decent playground with some classic amenities. The playground primarily consists of a large and sprawling play structure with a variety of slides and climbing elements. Rounding out the equipment are a small set of swings and some standalone musical elements. The 'classic amenities' are the wood chip play surface and the wood benches. The site is partially shaded by large trees and partially enclosed from the street.

Tiny Crawford Park is sited on the middle of the block and features a small playground and water feature. The playground consists of one structure with some retro features - including metal slides - and also includes some swings (toddler and molded bucket). In the middle of the park is the water feature - a basic four sprayer. The play area is mostly enclosed and bright and sunny. The play surface is wood chips and although there aren't any benches, the low perimeter walls provide some seating.

This playground - one of five in Douglass Park - is located on the east side of the park near 14th and California and is perhaps the largest of the playgrounds. There are two distinct areas - one for smaller children and the other for older children - and both contain large, age-appropriate play structures, swings, climbing elements, and a few other standalone elements. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and a drinking fountain.

This playground - one of five in Douglass Park - is in the north side of the park near Roosevelt and Sacramento. It features a large, modern play structure designed for older children including some unique elements like a triple twisting metal climber and another large climbing structure. There are also several low to the ground traverse elements and a variety of swings: toddler, belt, molded plastic with a harness, and saucer swing. The play surface is wood chips and, although there are trees dotting the surrounding grassy area, the play area is quite sunny.

This playground - one of 5 in Douglass Park - is located in the southeast corner of the park near 18th and California. The play area is mostly enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are two sets of swings and a large play structure with a few slides and many options for climbing and traversing. There is also a small water feature in the play area - a standard concrete area with four sprayers.

This playground - one of five in Douglass Park - is in the west side of near 15th and Albany and features a large, modern play structure designed for older children. This structure features a few slides, climbing elements, and a large set of monkey bars in addition to the standard set of swings. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches scattered around the perimeter.

The playground at Franklin Park is divided into two distinct areas - one for younger children and the other for older children. The structure for younger children features a small play structure with a small summit climber, conical climbing wall and small slide. There are also four toddler swings. The larger structure features two variations of monkey bars, three slides, and a few climbing and traversing elements along with standard swings (belt seat and adaptive). Both areas are fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and both have a play surface of wood chips. A water spray feature is situated just north of the playground and next to the Franklin Park outdoor pool and the park district building provides bathroom access during open hours.

Ginkgo Park is a tiny neighborhood park with a small, narrow playground. Two swings at the rear of the site, a few standalone elements, and a narrow play structure with a single slide compromise all the elements of this small park. Large trees provide great shade for this site though that seems like the only real comfort for park-goers: no benches, picnic tables, or drinking fountains.

This Homan Square Community Center Park opened in 2001 and contains a small playground designed for young children. There are two small play structures both for young children with simple climbing elements and small slides. The small play area also includes a swing set. The playground is fully enclosed from the street - with a fence surrounding the park and another surrounding the playground - and is positioned next to the community center. The play surface is soft rubber and there are benches for seating. Sadly, there is no shade for this playground.

Hornbeam Park consists of a decent playground and a small water spray element. The playground consists of KOMPAN equipment - a modern and somewhat unique playground equipment maker from Europe. There is a collection of climbing elements, two large sets of swings, a small and traditional structure, and a few standalone elements. The water feature is a basic four sprayer. The non-play amenities are standard: a few benches and a drinking fountain. The play surface is wood chips and the site is bright and sunny.

Keeler Park is a narrow neighborhood park with a small play structure, a unique standalone climbing element, a see-saw, and two swings (one toddler and one belt seat). The play area is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the surface is wood chips. There aren't any amenities at this site; that is there are not benches, picnic tables, drinking fountains, or any trees on this narrow lot.

The playground in London Park features a small play structure with lots of climbing and traversing elements as well as a few unique interactive panels. The playground is fenced from the street but not fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips.

Millard Park features a basketball court and a playground last renovated in 2013. The playground includes a large play structure from Kompan and a set of swings making it a somewhat modern version of a very traditional playground: one slide, a few climbing elements, and basic swings. 'Traditional' could also describe the amenities: wood chips and a wood bench and not much else. The building to the south provides some shade but there isn't much shade on this site otherwise.

I would say the playground in Ninebark Park is a unique playground with somewhat strange and non-traditional elements. However, in visiting this location, I spoke with a neighbor who hated the equipment at this park and I'm going to honor that interaction with this review. This neighbor complained there weren't any slides at the park - and she is right! There isn't a traditional structure at this park but rather a collection of climbing elements. The only standard elements were the swings and the simple 'four sprayer' water feature. The non-play amenities are basic: a few benches and a play surface of wood chips for a bright and sunny site.

Park 519 is a tiny pocket park situated between an apartment building and a CTA pink line. On this tiny site there is a narrow play structure and a pair of swings. There are benches and a drinking fountain and very, very good views of trains.

Park 534 features a nice playground and water spray feature in the middle of the park. There is small swing set with two toddler swings and two belt seat swings and then two play structures. The smaller one is for younger children and features a couple of slides and climbing elements. The larger structure is quite large and sprawling with a few slides, climbing elements, and a variation of monkey bars. The larger structure is also quite accessible via ramps on both sides. The water spray feature includes two water spraying arches and a halo shower sprayer. The playground is bright and sunny and is fenced from the street and opens into a large grassy space. The play surface is soft rubber and there are a few benches dotting the play area. All in all, this is a solid neighborhood playground.

This playground - one of five in Douglass Park - is in the southwest corner of the park near 19th and Albany. According to the Park District website, this playground is named " Sunshine Daydream Playground, in honor of a Grateful Dead song." Fittingly, this playground features a musical theme with a "music station" comprised of several panels with interactive musical instruments, a spinning cello, a piano climbing arch, and a climbing wall with musical notes. There are also modern climbing elements and the standard set of swings. Next to these elements, there is a small, modern water spray feature with two "misting poles" and two cement play animals. The play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and large grassy areas and matures trees surrounding this playground.