Lincoln Park Playground Guide
43rd Ward Playgrounds Resource
There are very different playgrounds located in the 43rd Ward. Use the resource guide below to find their locations, Play Details, a Fun Fact about each, and photos. All information provided by Mistie Lucht and Playground Pointers, a searchable iPhone App database of Chicago land Playgrounds.
Goudy Square PlaygroundLocation: The playground is located at the corner of Astor and Goethe; 1249 N. Astor
Play Details: Rebuilt completely in 2014, the playground has a wide variety of play options, including soft surfaces, climbing walls, even chalkboards!
Fun Fact: This is one of the few playgrounds in the Gold Coast, and it also has a terrific Halloween event called “Ghouly Park.”
Location: The playground is located close to the corners of Larrabee and Webster; 2021 N. Burling
Play Details: Unique wooden structures bring the Wizard of Oz to life with a “yellow brick road” on the rubber surface, and a wooden “tornado.”
Fun Fact: Try to find the four main characters from the Wizard of Oz on a walk through the larger park, then picnic in Emerald Gardens adjacent to the playground. There is also tennis and baseball in this park.
Location: This playground is located along W. Lill Ave just west of Sheffield; 1023 W. Wrightwood
Play Details: This playground has something for everyone, from the water sprayer in the summer to the traditional and more challenging play structures.
Fun Fact: Tennis and baseball are additional play options here. This playground is 2 blocks away from Supera Playground, so make it a double playground day!
Location: This playground is located on N. Racine and W. Lill Ave.; 2528 N. Racine
Play Details: This playground is great year round, as it is nicely shaded in hot weather. While there are no water features, there is a water spout that makes for great mud pies in the sandbox. Arrr, be sure to check out the pirate theme here, mateys!
Fun Fact: Jonquil Playground is just 2 blocks away, and it is close to a Starbucks for coffee, hot chocolate and bathroom breaks.
Location: Playground located on N. Seminary just south of Armitage; 1919 N. Seminary
Play Details: This playground has it all: located in a neighborhood close to the “L”, family friendly food and ice cream, bathrooms, water playground, picnic tables, a sandbox, and great climbing structures for all ages.
Fun Fact: In the summer, be sure to check the Park District Summer Camp schedule. The water playground is open to the public during the week for specific hours only.
Location: This playground is located between N. Stockton Drive and N. Lincoln Parkway, just north of Dickens by the Zoo’s west entrance; 2045 N Lincoln Park West
Play Details: This playground brings the zoo to life with animal structures throughout. Add in many different play structures in a gorgeous setting, and this playground is a fun city destination.
Fun Fact: Spend the morning at the zoo, then head here to relax (with the kiddos fenced in and contained!) and have a picnic lunch.
Location: This playground is located on N. Sedgwick St. just south of W. Wisconsin; 1800 N Sedgwick
Play Details: This playground is a hidden gem. It is small, but well shaded and quiet. It has no swings and offers many unique climbing options.
Fun Fact: This playground is not listed on any official playground registry that I can find. Be sure to check out the 2 metal horse structures nearby and “feed” them some leaves.
Location: This playground is located where N. Maud and N. Sheffield meet; 1 block south of Armitage; 1844 N. Sheffield
Play Details: This playground is small, completely fenced in, never crowded, and very close to Armitage, so it makes for a good, quick play session if you are running errands in the neighborhood.
Location: This playground is located where Wisconsin dead-ends at Halsted just off N. Dayton St.; north of Willow and south of Armitage; 800 W. Wisconsin
Play Details: Lincoln Park’s playground for new walkers and crawlers, which features only baby swings and a soft, rolling play surface. It is completely fenced in and very shady, so a great location for warmer days.
Fun Fact: Families will leave toys that their own children have outgrown at this playground, so there is always a rotation for age-appropriate toys that all children can share.
Location: This playground is located between N. Cleveland and N. Mohawk, one block south of Armitage; 501 W. Wisconsin
Play Details: A new renovation has made this playground great for children of all ages, with both big and little slides and some unusual equipment. Plus, there is a large concrete pad where little ones ride their trikes. New picnic tables and a grassy area make this a great spot.
Fun Fact: Many families we knew would have their children’s summer birthday parties here – the ample space and shade allow for some table or blanket set up for the celebration while allowing kids to play at the playground.
Location: This playground is located on W. Wrightwood between N. Halsted and N. Burling; 745 W. Wrightwood
Play Details: A deep, narrow and shaded playlot offers a hidden gem of a playground tucked right into the neighborhood. Great structures for all ages are here at this quiet playground.
Fun Fact: Check out that rainbow horse mural! What a way to brighten a cloudy day and add some imaginative fun to your playground visit.
Location: This playground is located on Clybourn just south of Willow and north of North; 1755 N. Clybourn
Play Details: This playground has been renovated!
Fun Fact: What we also love about this playground is the proximity to the “L” tracks (practically underneath them!) and to shopping and food. Basketball is another play option here.
Location: This playground is located between Racine and Clifton, just north of Webster; 2250 N. Clifton
Play Details: While used by Mayer Elementary during school days, this playground is still a hot destination during off hours and weekends. It contains separate sections for younger and older children, and is close to many local family friendly favorites (John’s Place and Sweet Mandy B’s to name a few.)
Fun Fact: While you can really only play here when school is not in session, it is worth a trip. Make sure you walk over to Mayer Elementary’s main entrance along Clifton and see their chicken coop and beehive. Baseball and basketball are additional play options here.