The official motto of Chicago is "Urbs in horto", which is Latin for "City in a garden" so it should come as no surprise that the city has over 8,000 acres of parks.When our family moved to the city, we sold our cars, bought a Ventra pass and swung, spun and raced our way through as many parks as possible ... and definitely have found some favorites! Now that the long (I mean it felt like an eternity some days) wait is over and the playgrounds are open again, it's time to revisit some favorites!
Park name: Lincoln Park
Location: 500-5700 N Lake Shore Drive
What we love about it: As you can tell by the address, Lincoln Park is HUGE, stretching along Lake Michigan from the Streeterville neighborhood all the way north to Edgewater. There is no shortage of things to do or see here, but I will focus on the section of the park that is adjacent to the Lincoln Park neighborhood. In this area of the park some of our favorite places to visit are found: Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Theatre on the Lake, the Chicago History Museum, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, North Avenue Beach and plenty of green space for a game of catch or soccer. Also located near the entrance to the zoo is the Lincoln Playground which has recently been updated and suits all ages of kids.
Easily accessible by foot or bike, CTA buses 22, 36, 151 or 156 and the nearest CTA "L" train stops are approximately 1 mile away (Armitage or Fullerton). Bathrooms, places to rest, refill water bottles or use the restroom are all fairly convenient in this area of the park as well - especially with the Chicago Park District building just north of the zoo.
Park name: Berger Park
Location: 6205 N Sheridan Road
What we love about it: Located further north, about 8 miles from the center of Chicago, is an area known as Edgewater. Berger Park was created to make the lakefront more accessible to the residents and it has some beautiful views of Lake Michigan. The Chicago Park District building here is a grand old mansion and provides a shelter if needed and clean restrooms (always as big PLUS in my book!). What the kids love most is a great, fairly new, playground that is ADA accessible and entertaining for a variety of ages, easy access to the beach and a little cafe for having a snack.
Accessible by bike, CTA buses 36, 136,147 or 151 and the nearest CTA "L" train stop is approximately half a mile away (Granville).
Park name: Harold Washington Playlot Park
Location: 5200 S Hyde Park Bld
What we love about it: I found this park by accident one day last summer. My son had asked to walk along the path from the Museum of Science & Industry and see where it took us. (Can you tell we love a spontaneous adventure?) Where that path led us was right to a gem of a park in the Hyde Park neighborhood! With paths, lots of green space, 8 tennis courts and a great playground we burned off a lot of energy at Harold Washington Park. There is a Whole Foods nearby and that is our usual go to for a water bottle refill, bathroom break and to grab a snack. The park connects to the beach and Lake Shore path as well.
Accessible by bike via the Lake Shore path, CTA bus 6 and the Metra Electric line (ME)
Park name: Hamlin Park
Location: 3035 N Hoyne Ave
What we love about it: Everything. Hamlin Park in the North Center community has a little bit of everything - even a designated park for Fido! The Chicago Park District fieldhouse is spacious and offers a fitness center, boxing center, rooms for classes or meetings and simply provides a great place to take a break from the weather (us Chicagoans are either needing to warm up or cool off). Hamlin also has baseball diamonds, picnic areas, paths, tennis courts, outdoor pool and a fairly recently renovated playground. It is a true neighborhood park with plenty to events and classes all year long too!
Accessible by CTA bus 50 or 77 and the nearest CTA "L" train stop is approximately a 20 minute walk to the park (Paulina)
Park name: Indian Boundary Park
Location: 2500 W Lunt Ave
What we love about it: This park is definitely the furthest north from the Loop area, and not as easily accessible via public transportation, but it is defintely high on my list of "worth a visit" parks. This gem is nestled into the West Ridge area and is home to so many wonderful things to enjoy and explore. There is the Nature Play Space which allows one to play with natural materials and explore nature up close. My son and his friend were mesmerized by this section of the park, as was I! Indian Boundary is also home to a Nature Center, a beautiful lagoon with ducks and turtles, a cute splash pad where you frolic with bears and a large, wooden, playground. We have had many games of lava monster and hide 'n seek at Indian Boundary.
Accessible by CTA bus 49B or 96; the CTA "L" train can get you connected to the nearest bus lines, but are not close enough for an easy commute directly to the park.
That’s a few of our favorite parks and playgrounds in Chicago, but I bet your kids have their own favorites! Let me know what’s on your family’s list for Chicago’s best parks and playgrounds by emailing me at sarayaniga@macaronikid.com. I’ll be doing more playground and park reviews in the future, so I would love to have your input!
