South Playgrounds

This playground, situated on the 63rd Street Beach, reflects it's location with a strong nautical theme. The entire play structure is shaped like a ship and is equipped with a steering wheel, tall mast, and even canons! This playground is fully integrated with the beach and is therefore not enclosed, in full sun, and the play surface is - of course - sand. This creates a unique play experience and offers some great views of Lake Michigan.

Anderson Park is a small park with a great little playground. The playground is somewhat standard but is also wonderful. There is a single large play structure with a few slides, climbing elements, and plank bridge (thought, strangely, no monkey bars). There is a standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) and 'four sprayer' water feature. The setting is wonderful - sharing a site with two public schools and a fieldhouse - and it gets wonderful shade from the large, mature trees towering overhead. There are benches and a drinking fountain and access to bathrooms (when the fieldhouse is open). All in all, this is a great little playground. Highly recommend.

Armstrong Park - named for Lillian Hardin Armstrong, a jazz musician and composer who was married to Louis Armstrong - is a large park with a large playground. The playground features an area for younger children with a small play structure and toddler swings. The rest of the site features an assortment of standalone elements for older children; some are connected but there aren't standard ladders to raised platforms in this park for older children. The rest of the park is beautiful with trees, ballfields and a walking path, but the area surrounding this playground is somewhat strange. The play site itself is a large wood chipped area that lacks seating (like benches or picnic tables) and shade. There is a shade pavilion nearby that offers some respite, but the size and general emptiness of the play area are somewhat strange. So while I have some quibbles with the design choices of this playground, I still think it's a decent neighborhood playground.

The playground at Arthur Ashe Beach Park is located right on the shores of Lake Michigan and features some solid playground equipment. There is a small structure for younger children, a separate structure for older children, and the standard set of swings. The structure for older children is much larger and somewhat accessible by those using a wheelchair; the main play surface is also accessible soft rubber. There are a few benches nearby that provide views of both the playground and Lake Michigan.

Aspen Park is a small pocket park with a nice playground. There is a metal climbing element near the the entrance, a standard set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat) near the rear, and a sprawling play structure in the middle that includes a few slides, climbing elements, and monkey bars. The setting and non-play elements are standard; the play surface is wood chips and there are a few benches and a drinking fountain.

The small Beehive Park is a neighborhood park that features a small play structure and small water feature. The play structure is small but well-equipped and features a few slides, a variation of monkey bars, and a few other climbing/traversing structures. There are also two swings (toddler and molded bucket seat with harness) in the small play area. The play area is fully enclosed and the play surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain in the play area as well as a small, open-sided pavilion providing some shade in an otherwise very sunny and exposed site. There is a small and simple water feature with a single pole mister. All in all, this is a respectable neighborhood park.

This tiny neighborhood park is tucked away in the middle of a block but is packed with features. It has a large play structure with a variety of slides and climbing features. There is also a 'musical bar' with a variety of instruments and a small climbing wall. And in the back there are the standard set of swings and a few spinning seats and a see-saw. The play area is shaded by large mature trees and the surface is wood chips. There are a few benches and a drinking fountain as well. This is a standard neighborhood playground in the best sense of the phrase.

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.

The playground in Bosley Park was renovated in 2023 and is one of the nicest neighborhood playgrounds in the city. There is a large play structure with a variety of elements, an accessible 'merry-go round' set into the soft rubber play surface, and a set of swings (toddler, adaptive, and belt seat). There is also a water spray feature. Amenities are solid with benches, some shade, and access to bathrooms. All in all, a great neighborhood playground and a worthwhile destination.

Tiny Boswell Park sits on a quiet side street and features two small play structures. The smaller structure is designed for younger children and the larger structure is designed for older children and features a variety of slides and traversing elements. There are only toddler swings at the site - not standard belt seat swings - and a few other standalone elements. The play area is mostly enclosed and the play surfaces are wood chips. The park is bright and sunny and there are benches and a drinking fountain near the entrance.

This small neighborhood park is named after the poet Gwendolyn Brooks and features a small playground at water spray feature. The playground is divided into two sections. The smaller section is for younger children and features a small play structure and a set of toddler swings; the other section is for older children and features a structure with larger slides and other swings. The water spray feature is a standard four sprayer. The classic playground features - wood chips and a few wooden benches - are all the amenities offered at this site. The entire park is fenced from the street but is not fully enclosed. It's a solid neighborhood park and playground.

The playground in Burnham Park near the 43rd Street Bridge is still under construction (as of 2023-03) but looks like it will be a wonderful playground. The new playground is just south of the 43rd Street Bridge just off the Lake Front path and the near the comfort station. The playground features a small set of swings, a rope net climbing structure, a small play structure for young children, a collection of elements for older children, and a good variety of musical instruments. The non-play elements are solid; the play surface is soft rubber, the play area seems like it will be fully enclosed, and there are plenty of benches. This site provides nice views of the city skyline and the nearby comfort station should provide access to bathrooms (when open). I'll plan on re-visiting this summer (and updating this review) because this looks like a great playground.