We stopped here whilst waiting for our pizza order to be done. It was just alright; I was rather…read moredisappointed. There are two sections to the park, with the big rocket being the centerpiece. It's huge, multiple levels. There are at least three slides coming out from it. Lots of places for kids to climb and scurry and jump. But that part was too big for my kiddo so we went to the smaller section a few steps away. There was a structure to climb, several slides, some bars, and then even a little further away a bunch of swings. I tried to keep her from seeing the swings, to be honest, since I didn't want to have to deal with an upset kiddo when we had to leave without enough swing time. She played around a bit but didn't seem as interested in the playground. We went down a slide or two, but some of them had standing water since it has been a bit rainy recently. The playground isn't technically fenced in, but it is effectively so because it's behind the practice courts which are all fenced in. It'd be hard for your kid to get away from you. There's a parking lot for the Norridge Park District building but the neighborhood parking could be tricky, especially in the summer because there is restricted parking from Memorial Day to Labor Day (ostensibly because of the large pool structure that would keep the residents from having any parking for three months otherwise). The terrain of the park is wood chips and soil, decidedly not my favorite (maybe especially after a rain) and she got dirty pretty quick. I may bring her back when she's old enough to play on the rocket ship, but this won't be a park that we return to much if ever.

Very very nice huge playground in the woods. The air is clean, the people are nice... I wish we…read morelived closer :))) it has actually 3 playgrounds near to each orher

Dunne Park is a hidden gem in Rosemont, IL. Tucked away between the highway and Higgins Rd, behind…read moreMcDonalds and the Westin on River Road, is the small but mighty Dunne Park. Small, because it is not as big as some of the other outdoor public spaces in the area, but mighty for everything it has to offer. Dunne provides a much needed respite from the very busy O'Hare area. It has a walking path, a playlot for kids, a gazebo, fountain, a man made but lovely waterfall, ducks, swans, dragonflies and all the good stuff that makes an urban park. It is clean and meticulously landscaped. It can take a minute to tune out the highway and airplane noise, but once you do, you will hear the sounds of tall grass blowing in the breeze, birds chattering and the waterfall. Great place to take a walk, read a book or sit and have lunch outdoors. Limited 2 hour parking, but I have always found a spot even at peak times.

I love this little park. More importantly my son loves coming here. It's very popular but you'll…read morealways find something to play on (I speak of the children lol). There's swings and many size slides and climbing walls. In the summer the there are water fountains to playing in. Lots of parking and ice cream vendors visits. Schools host activities in the spring as well. Sports take place around the park as well. If you're looking for a park to walk to check this one out.

Hiawatha was my old neighborhood park, as it seemed to be everyone's in the O and P-streets on the…read morefar-NW side of Chicago. I think the city planners nailed its location perfectly at Addison and Forest Preserve Drive, placing it exactly between Irving, Belmont, Oriole and Cumberland. Everyone in that neighborhood is just a few blocks walk from this park. And the two nearest elementary schools (St. Francis Borgia and Canty) are no more than 1-2 blocks away. There's always joggers or walkers at any time of day or night in this park. The perimeter of the entire park is 2/3-mile. I remember the night before my first son was born, to accelerate the contractions, my wife and I walked 2 laps around Hiawatha at 2 AM on a sultry July night before going to the hospital for the labor and delivery. We found out we weren't the only sleepless ones walking at that hour. We also saw another couple feverishly working on a baby of their own in a parked car, though they were about 9 months behind us in their planning. Parking is a problem at Hiawatha. The tiny lot behind the field house might as well not be there at all. Most people park along Forest Preserve or Cornelia. With all the baseball games happening, you could have several hundred people at the park on any given day. Best to walk or bike it if you're from the area. You need the exercise anyway. Their playground is an aging wooden and steel set of play structures, but challenging and fun nonetheless. It is located at the pointy end of the park at Panama, right at the beginning of my so-called Panama Expressway. Lots of Polish kids and their families come to play on the slides, swings, and bridges. There's also a sprinkler play area that's fun in the summer. And a good night to come or avoid, depending on your fancy, is 4th of July. For some odd reason, around 9 PM, hundreds of people descend on the park with lawn chairs and coolers in tow and no police seems to be in the area at all. Amateur pyrotechnicians put on an immersive experience of smoky, loud and spark-filled fireworks more intense than any IMAX movie you've seen. Look out for flaming debris falling from trees too. Everyone has a good time and goes home by about 11 PM. Years ago on warm summer nights, there used to be a group of older Italian guys who played bocce on the white gravel courts behind the fieldhouse. The bocce courts still remain, though many of the men may have moved on to the bocce courts up in the blue sky. No longer tended, the courts are now filling up with weeds - and the occasional reckless teens smoking weeds of their own behind the building. In all its useful ways, Hiawatha captures the spirit of this NW-side neighborhood.

Community park known for its many athletic fields. It isn't humongous, but it certainly has a lot…read more Oriole Park is pretty much here for the surrounding subdivision, but is pretty easy to get to. Lots of programs. These are good for kids who need something to do in summer or whenever. An interesting history about how it came to be. It's located in a subdivision of the same name. This used to be a pretty rural area, but families began to move in when automobiles became popular. People started to move farther out. This area was purchased by the Park District in 1931, but not much was improved upon. A few years later it got a playground and a softball field. The park added more acres after WWII in anticipation of an increased population. Among the programs offered are those for kids and adults. Kids can go to storytime or play T-Ball. Certainly has plenty more options of course. Teens can play basketball and roller hockey. Adults also can have fun. There's piano lessons and volleyball. Park has expanded many times and now has lots of things to do inside. There's two playgrounds, one of which has a ship theme. Also there's an interactive stray pool, which is good when it's hot. The park also has paved paths for bicycling and jogging. Good location in a residential area. It's located along Bryn Mawr and west of Harlem. This is close to the Harlem O'Hare Blue Line CTA station.

NO MORE EXCUSES FOR NOT CLEANING UP DOG MESS!…read more I visited my good friend who lives west of Oriole Park. We walked our dogs. Now, the park has these containers filled with small plastic bags for picking up dog mess. Thanks to Girl Scout troop 20220 for this genius idea. Why couldn't the Chicago Park District come up with this idea? It's such a fantastic, simple, genius idea. I always enjoy Oriole Park for several reasons. It has a nice track for running, biking, walking dogs, exercising. The park is clean, well maintained and nicely lit in the evening. Fall colors are always spectacular! FINALLY, there are also tons of restaurants & coffee shops nearby.

What a gorgeous option for outdoor space, walking trails, and picnicking!…read more After a large lunch nearby, we decided to stop by the Catherine Chevalier Woods for a quick walk since it appeared to have walking trails. With a bit of hesitancy since there was not a lot of information online, we stopped by and were immensely pleased. First of all, there was a plethora of parking spaces, making this a very accessible location! Second, we were immediately inundated with wild life, from lounging and munching white-tail deer to chipping chipmunks to singing birds, we no longer felt like we were in the midst of the city! Third, there were many spaces for picnicking and gatherings of people! What a great place to come for an outdoor gathering! Finally, we discovered miles of maintained and gorgeous walking trails. People were sparsely populated on the trails providing a beautiful and remote hiking experience! If you are in the area and are in the need of a good walk in remote outdoor space, head over to Catherine Chevalier's Woods!

Really awesome place. Deer within feet of the paths. Great spacious areas for picnics or parties…read more There were numerous large parties going on while I visited. The paths are great for biking although I recommend you have an off-road or hybrid bicycle.

DONT TAKE THE WOODSHOP CLASS IF YOURE A WOMAN!! First off, if you're expecting to learn anything,…read moreyou won't, the "instructor" Brian will demand you bring in your own plans for a project with correct measurements because he doesn't have time to do that. Getting him to give any guidance past "I don't know" is like pulling teeth, unless you're a man, then he'll act super buddy buddy with you. We just wanted to learn.

Beautiful park. Love it here. Splash pad awesome. People who work at the field house. Not very…read morewelcoming.

I come here for the well. Usually a line but it's free, clean water. Definitely worth the wait!read more

Used to be good until this year Many organizations hosted…read moredancing parties where people would dance under the gazebos How they bolted picnic tables down under the gazebos so no more dancing in the park Which was wonderful I'll change this to 5 starts if you unbolt the picnic tables and leave the area under the gazebos ope n

Nice park which isn't too difficult to park at which helps you get away from the hustle and bustle…read moreof the nearby areas of the city. This spot offers mainly baseball and softball fields in addition to a wide area of open grass. There are basketball hoops without nets available here as well. Even for those not looking to play a sport, the walking path around the park is nicely maintained and a good spot to take a leisurely stroll. There are plenty of trees around the park providing some shade during warmer months and nice colors during autumn.

No basketball hoops. What's the reason?…read moreFind a different strategy. Completely removing them and all that space cannot be used is a A WASTE. I know some people don't know how to act but there are many people that do behave, appreciate and would love to enjoy this space.

Don't even bother wasting your $12pp for non residents. They were not honest that the kids area…read moresprinklers did not work before you pay. People kept asking and they advised the kids area water falls was on a timer. They didn't turn on all day because they were broken. There was no timer. They won't let u bring anything in, including kids toys. So after you're in there, there is nothing to do for small kids. The place should be more like $5 fee or free. The place is a boring joke. If the kids are did not work then they should have let kids 7 and under in for free or put a sign up before u pay.

They won't let you bring ,uv protection with you ,is that even legal?wow I've been all around…read more the world never have seen anything lile that .

Apart from the highly visible homeless issue at the NW corner of the park, have many happy…read morechildhood memories at this local bit of well maintained grass. Frequently see people playing with their dogs or weekend softball games taking place here. The field house hosted many of my family events over the years as well. Oddly, the basketball and tennis courts were removed sometime along the way. The play area for little kids has greatly improved with great playground accessories and rubber mats.

Dunning and Dunning-Kruger. What is up with all the softball diamonds now? The swings are still…read morethere. The jungle gym isn't. I'm not sure if monkey bars are a public health hazard of some sort. I know the lead paint was. The foursquare diamonds are new --- or at least new to me. The first time I saw fourquare was in the 80's in a rival city. We used to have this thing called 'hopscotch'. I never played. This has never been such a nice neighborhood, but I've been here dozens of times when I was younger. Have fun, don't smoke, and don't let your parents put you into one of those baby-style swings when you can almost swing over the bar using the regular ones. It used to be a lot of fun to swing to the inflection point and jump as far as you can from the swing. I'm too old to tell you to do that or not to. Stay safe though.