Today was my first visit to Seneca park post-baby and it was an entirely different experience. And a fantastic one! The park was almost preternaturally quiet given its location; there are two hospitals directly across the street and a major medical center another block south. Ten paces to the east is Michigan Avenue, and there was even a small protest happening at the Water Tower and we heard none of it. It was quite peaceful. There are almost two different playgrounds here which is actually pretty great. Although my adventurous toddler really wanted to go on the big kid stuff my friend and I were able to steer our kids to the more toddler- and baby-friendly edge of the playground. Swings, small slides, and some other play structures for little littles to have their fun. And like all other Chicago Park District playgrounds, it's fenced for the children's safety. (Why isn't this something that literally every playground in the country has adopted as a safety measure?). So glad we stopped here; I'd been wanting to come back with my little one. We will certainly be back to enjoy this little oasis as the weather warms up. read more

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Fun! Our little one enjoyed. Lots of different areas and types of spots to play. If you got a little one i def recommend

This park is a downtown Chicago treasure for all ages. I'll shocked it doesn't have more reviews. Located beautifully between the lake/Drive and the Magnificent Mile, it seems to be a sweet spot for locals and visitors alike. What makes this park gouge star worthy? For starters, the impressive kids playscape with soft padding and creative designs. Second, the tree lined sidewalk with a canopy of trees and beautiful benches. You'll also find a community library, water fountain and park programming here. During my brief spring visit the grass was lush and green and the trees were in bloom. Hard to beat this setting and moment of solitude in the heart of the city. Taking notes for my parks at home! read more

Wow! If you pass by here, enter the gated courtyard attached to The Seneca Playlot Park and see the intricate sculpture of "Ben" by artist Deborah Butterfield which was created in 1989 but installed as a gift to the park in 1990. I wish there had been more signage about the Horse "Ben" and the artist Deborah Butterfield. Alas, I checked out the Chicago Park District's Web Site. At first sight-I thought from close inspection that "Ben" was made out of WOOD! NOPE-it is made out of BRONZE! Truly Brilliant construction with pieces intricately framing the body of the horse. Ms. Butterfield became interested in horses in the 1970s when she was studying at the University of California @ Davis (UC-Davis) and was residing on a thoroughbred horsefarm for "free" in exchange for helping to care for the horses. Her work has gained widespread notariety: "Today, her horse sculptures are included in major collections throughout the country including the Smithsonian Institution's Hirshhorn Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) of Chicago." Source: Ben/Chicago Park District Web Site. https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/ben Now I want to go the MCA a few blocks away to see her other "horse" sculpture by the artist Deborah Butterfield. NEWSFLASH: As of May 7, 2019 the other horse sculpture which is a permanent part of the MCA's collection was not currently on display and they were not sure when it would return to the floor for visitors to view. FOR FUN: Isn't it great that it is in a children's park? Puns: Horseplay, Horsing Around... Any others you can think of????? read more

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How have I not reviewed this already ? Visited Chicago in October as a fun family get away. We knew our then 3nager would need a fun park to blow off steam in between touristing. Thanks to YOU, Yelp, we found this place and came here on our last day (after visiting Hancock before going to O'Hare...not a far walk from the tower at all) Best. Park. Ever. My son has loves these things in this order: 1a His parents. Fruit. Chips. Cookies. 1b Thomas the Train and all his "friends" 1c All other trains 1d Fire trucks, construction cars, public transportation 2 chocolate cake. 3 playgrounds, especially those with splash pads and sprinklers Well, this place not only has a train jungle gym ...it also sits next to a fire house. He loved it! He liked playing in both the little and bigger kid areas. He had a lot of fun on the "bus" and "train" but also chasing me on the bigger kids' area. I'm tiny so I DO get to play with him on the equipment. No shame. It's truly a gem ....your kids will love it. So much to play with. It even has a quiet feel in the middle of a bustling city. Chicagoans ....don't take this place for granted! read more

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My favorite park downtown! Soft cushioning everywhere. Big kid and little kid play areas. Generally well maintained even in winter. And across the street for kids hospital just in case.... read more

URBAN KID PLAY This is a great place to take the kids during downtown shopping fun. I have been coming here for a while but I've never thought about reviewing it. Probably because I wanted this secret kiddie Mecca to remain all mine. So today I am sharing with all of you. There are two very large play areas for the kids to run around in. The north side is for younger children and the south side is for older children. It is kind of nice to have the play areas broken up so little kids do not get run over. If you have children then they will love it here. They can run, climb and slide plus they can make new friends. The park is very convenient to the Michigan Avenue shopping district. It is also across the street from the Water tower shopping center and Ritz Carlton Hotel. On a side note: there is a fire station next door and you can always bring the kids over to see the fire truck as long as the crew is not on a call. Downtown Chicago has so many things to offer and this is one of the things it can offer to children for free. So when the children need to blow off some steam this is the best place to let them run in between your long shopping day. read more

Seneca Park - Climbing and Sliding Fun - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I often find myself making this deal with the little one... If you help me run some shopping errands on Michigan Avenue then we can go to the park after! She always nods enthusiastically, although considering her new favorite accessory to carry around the house is a Neiman Marcus bag I think she may like shopping more than the park. On our most recent visit I had to maneuver my stroller around the homeless people sleeping near the entrance of the park (oh, city living). My very considerate 1 1/2 year old turned to me, placed her finger to her lips and said "shhhh." Once you get past the sleeping peeps there are 2 sides to choose from. One side is perfect for babies and toddlers, where we can be found. And then another side for "big kids"- I haven't had the pleasure of venturing over there yet. Our side has 4 baby swings, a few different climbing stations (including a "choo choo" train), lots of slides with bumps on them so the little ones don't go down too fast and a sand box filled with dirt! I've been trying to avoid the dirt box for months now, but the little one found it this past weekend...and we both came home filthy. However, she had a blast in there! One of my favorite things about Seneca Park is that it's very shady so it's the perfect spot for those scorching hot summer days. If it's not above 85 degrees outside I'd suggest a light sweater since it can get a little chilly in the shade. Due to the two sides you don't have to worry about your little ones being run over by older kids. However, on our most recent visit my daughter couldn't get enough of a group of 5 year old girls hanging off the monkey bars of the "choo choo" train. One of them turned to my daughter and said "If you want to be big and strong like us you need to eat healthy: lots of spinach, macaroni and cheese and cheese sandwiches." Perhaps if we stick to that diet we'll get to venture to the other side of Seneca Park in no time! read more

This is a great little playground with something for all ages. Although in the middle of the busy city, you would hardly notice since it is well surrounded by trees and park like atmosphere. There are two distinct sections for younger and older kids. All of the classic toys are here, including slides, swings and climbing structures. I liked that there was a gate that shut and locked in each section. There is plenty of room to bring your stroller in and park it. There was no fear of anyone running off with it because of the locked gate situation. My only complaint is that it is pretty sandy, so if it is wet or just rained, you will end up with a mess. read more

Well maintained playlot across from Prentice and the children's hospital and right next to a firehouse. Play equipment is split into sections that are separated by a small walkway. Both play areas are fenced. The equipment is all over wood chips. Equipment itself is on par with Lake Shore Park playlot up the street, but Seneca is located on a much quieter street. read more

Seneca Park - Seneca Park - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Solid park in the city near shopping. We hit this place after some shipping at water tower place and the boys loved it. More for age 3+ but good place to just be outside at a small park. read more

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What a sweet little park just shy of Michigan Ave. Located near a few choice hotels, not far from eateries, directly next to a fire house and a museum - this location rocks. The little kid area is perfect. From the age appropriate swings to the perfectly short playscape, the playground is totally little one AND parent friendly. We stayed at a hotel on Delaware and were close enough to come by more than once with our 21+ month old. If you are in the area and have a little one this is the perfect place to stop to encourage them to let out some wiggles and for you to gaze at guests of the Ritz, watch passersby and oh - watch that kid! read more

We came here a bunch on our last trip to Chicago. Right across from the Ritz, there are a handful of highlights: a replica train, replica firetruck and fire pole, and a bunch of slides. Also it's near the firehouse, so you may see firetrucks in action, which excited our toddler like nothing else can. Very friendly crowd, too. And you're close enough to Marisol to grab a great avocado toast. read more

Five stars for being just a few blocks from Michigan Avenue, which can become quite a respite for your kid(s) while/after you shop. During the summer this place was jam packed with what seemed like hundreds of kids, but during the winter time my son and I are alone most of the time, but that is fine with us since it leaves the entire area all to us. The only real drawback of this place is the smaller kid play area, which could use some updating, but in general it's still one heck of a place to do some chilaxing while the tyke spends some of that everlasting energy... Enjoy Suckas'!!! read more

I was out and about with the kids today and thought I'd search online on Chicago Park District for a park in the area we'd be running errands in. Lo and behold we found this little gem right next to the Water Tower. How did I live in the city for 12 years and never notice this park? Wait...because it was irrelevant when I didn't have kids...lol... The park was nice and gated, however, like the review below there were a few homeless people sitting on the benches in the perimeter. I wasn't too excited about this but we're in the city, what do you expect? Plus today there was a lot of traffic so we didn't get pestered. They have two side by side gated parks, one for kids 5 and older and another for the younger kids. This option was quite nice so it keeps my little ones away from the equipment that they're not ready for. Nonetheless you still really gotta watch them as the design of the equipment tricks the eyes to miss small steps. It doesn't help that my youngest is fearless and clumsy. Overall a great little park in the midst of the shopping area. A great way to bribe your kid to behave while you steal a few minutes of shopping before you take them to the park. read more

Park Within A short walk Of the hustle and bustle of Michigan Ave for kids. read more

Cute little playground next to the Fire Station and Water Tower Place. My daughter was tired of shopping so we came over to take a break and play on a summer afternoon. There were 2 playgrounds and some shade! It was a perfect respite from the Michigan Avenue shops! read more

I always wind up here to eat some bao's or come down from a high either before or after a trip to the MCA. It's a pleasant enough area, plenty of green, but Christ, this place is bum central. It seems a picnic cannot take place without having to get past three or four intrusions from various street people with various hustles. Add that to the fact that on several occasions the park has been checkerboarded by dog shit, and I don't know how I can give Seneca more than 2 stars. Would you people please pick up your dog crap? read more

It's a beautiful park, small and private, sheltered by an arc of trees that are surmounted by the branches of even larger ones over a brick walkway. In the winter, the isle of trees over the walkway is laced with christmas lights, making it enjoyable all year long. It's fairly clean these days at least and homeless people really aren't that bothersome. They usually mind their own business like anyone else. Anyways, if you were homeless, you'd spend a lot of time at this park too. read more