North Park

Set in a quiet corner of Peterson Park, this playground offers some interesting play elements for a range of children. There are two main play structures, a few standalone elements, and the standard set of Chicago Park swings. The larger play structure is designed for older children and features a few different slides and climbing elements (a few elements like the rail slide and the platform bridge and quite challenging and younger children may require supervision). The smaller structure is for younger children and provides climbing elements and interactive panels suitable for younger children. There are two unique rope/net climbing elements as well: one arched climber with ropes and another spinning cylinder. Lastly, there are the standard swings: toddler, adaptive with a harness, and flat seat swings. The playground is set into the park and away from the nearest roads and opens directly into the rest of Peterson Park. The play area is quite shaded by large trees and the play surface is wood chips. There are benches and picnic tables nearby as well as a drinking fountain and the nearby fieldhouse provides access to bathrooms (when open). All in all, this is a great playground and a few unique play elements and solid amenities to keep everyone comfortable; highly recommend.

This playground - one of four in Legion Park - contains somewhat unusual and unique elements. Rather than a traditional plastic play structure, this playground is a collection of interesting standalone elements: a combination rope/net bridge and tunnel with a slide, a set of hammock style saucer swings, a 'triple saucer swing' that quite unusual, and a single mast rope/net climbing structure. The play area is not enclosed and instead opens directly into Legion Park. There are a few benches in the area and though there are many large trees in the area, this playground is bright and sunny (especially in the morning).

The Hollywood Park playground is a nice playground located in the southeast corner of Hollywood Park. This playground features several varieties of swings and a large structure for older children. The play surface is wood chips and there is a small spray feature near the playground. There are a few benches and large trees that provide some shade and shelter.

The playground at Gompers Park is located near Foster and Lowell and features some interesting play elements and a small and gentle water spray feature. There is a somewhat large play structure designed for younger children on one side of the play area and a collection of climbing/traversing elements on the other side for older children. There is a standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) as well as a few standalone elements. The water spray feature features a large pole with a gentle shower spray and smaller misting loops somewhat reminiscent of the Loch Ness Monster. The play surface is soft rubber; this surface is mounded in a place that makes the surface a play element. Additionally, there are a few concrete structures - a bench near the mound covered in soft rubber and a collection of concrete cylinders and metal poles that are unique features of this playground. The play area is fully enclosed (a must considering it's close proximity to Foster Ave) and there are benches, picnic tables, and a drinking fountain in the shaded play area. All in all, this is a great playground; highly recommend.

The small Brynford Playlot Park contains a small playground structure suitable for a range of children and a variety of swings (belt seat, molded bucket seat, toddler, and tire). The play area is fully enclosed with wood chips underfoot. There are a few benches, a drinking fountain, and a small picnic tables. This park is sandwiched between two buildings and on a rather busy stretch of Pulaski; however, a large mural on the north side of the park and some flowers on the eastern side try to soften some of this harshness.