Sauganash and Forest Glen

This playground at Wildwood Park is a wonderful and quiet playground tucked away in a residential neighborhood. There are two main areas to the playground - a smaller area for younger children and a larger area for older children - as well as a new 'Nature Play Area' next to the play area. The play area for smaller children includes a small play structure, a spinning saucer, and a set of panels for imaginative play. The area for older children includes a large play structure with slides, climbing features, and a large metal traverse element. Between these areas is a small set of swings. The play area is not fully enclosed but it is fenced from the street and removed from traffic. The play surface is soft rubber and is shaded by large trees. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables for seating in the area. Altogether, this is a great playground; highly recommend.

Set between the a quiet residential alley and a paved trail (called the Sauganash Line Trail, the Valley Line Trail, or the Skokie Valley Trail at various points) Sauganash Park features a solid playground. There is a smaller play structure for younger children and another area featuring a large semi-circular climbing net and suspended ring climbing structure. There is the standard set of swings and a little 'music area' with some musical panels. The play area is not fully enclosed but it is fenced from the alley. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables near the play area and large trees provide shade throughout the day. And the nearby field house provides access to bathrooms in this otherwise quiet location.

Quiet Green Park features a playground with a large structure, swings, and a sand play area. The play structure is large but not too challenging and features four different slides and a few climbing options. There is the standard Park District swings (toddler, adaptive with harness, and belt seat) as well as a few standalone elements. There are also two sandboxes with a scooper and small sand play table. Situated on quiet residential streets, this playground is not enclosed or fenced from the street (though it is fenced from the nearby train tracks) and opens directly into a small grassy area with large mature trees. The play surface is wood chips (except in the sand boxes, obviously!). There are a few benches and a picnic tables for seating in this shady park. It is also next to a set of train tracks which makes it great for kids who like trains. All in all, the playground at Green Park is a standard neighborhood playground in the best sense of the phrase located in a quiet neighborhood; highly recommend.

Forest Glen Park is a small park with a moderate sized play structure seemingly designed for preschool ages children. That is, it's larger than most toddler play areas but without challenging elements geared for older children. It's a well-maintained area with a soft rubber play surface with a ramp leading to the play structure. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain in the somewhat shaded park. This park also features views of the nearby Metra trains.

This playground sits between Edgebrook Park and the local Chicago Public School (called, of course, Edgebrook Public School) and this seems like a shared asset between both organizations (i.e. might be used exclusively by school children during school days and not a great location for an outing with younger children during the school year). Despite this preamble, this is a great little playground. There is a modern collection of climbing elements for older children and a smaller, more traditional structure, for younger children. The surface is soft rubber and there are a few benches and trees around the perimeter creating a nice ambiance. Overall, this is a solid playground worth visiting on a non-school day!

The small De Julio Park features a playground most recently renovated in 2014 with a large play structure for older children, a swing set, and a few standalone elements. The large structure features a few slides as well as a variety of climbing walls and nets. The playground itself is well shaded by mature trees with a few benches doting the play area. The main play surface is wood chips though there is also a grassy area around the perimeter of the playground.

Ashmore Park is a tiny neighborhood park on a residential street with a great little playground. There is a large structure with all the basics (slides, climbing elements, a variation on monkey bars, etc.) and some interactive panels. There are various swings including a toddler, belt, adaptive, and tire variations. The non-play amenities are okay with some exceptional shade from the large tree on and surrounding the site. There are benches, a drinking fountain, and a small table with a chessboard on the surface. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. All in all, this playground is a shady and quiet spot to spend a day at the park.