1 / 3Walsh (John) Park
📍 West Town, IL
John Walsh Park delivers two landmark climbing structures — a twin-tower rope-bridge complex and an orange rope-climbing tower — plus six slides, enclosed tunnels, swings, and seasonal water sprinklers. Connects directly to the Bloomingdale Trail.
One of the best parks in the city. The kids have so much fun when we come, whether it's climbing in the jungle gym area or sliding down one of the 6 slides or playing in the field. There is something for everyone to do.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for adventurous kids aged 5 and up who want a genuine climbing challenge rather than a standard playground. The twin-tower rope complex and spray feature justify a dedicated trip across the city. Families with toddlers should know there are no restrooms on-site, so plan accordingly before you arrive.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →735 Google reviews
Angel Mercado
11 months ago
“One of the best parks in the city. The kids have so much fun when we come, whether it's climbing in the jungle gym area or sliding down one of the 6 slides or playing in the field. There is something for everyone to do.”
M Stewart
2 months ago
“Great park for a winter meet up”
Andy Meyer
2 years ago
“The playground at Walsh Park is a great playground that has two wonderful and unique structures. There is a huge play structure consisting of two towers that are connected by a fully enclosed rope net bridge. The climbing elements are all inside the towers and each tower has a large curving tube slide so while there is no chance of a high fall from the tall structures, it still takes courage to climb and cross them (for child and for parent!). The second structure is harder to describe but resembles a dome with rope netting on the exterior with a variety of climbing elements inside. This is slightly smaller but still a challenging elements for kids who like to climb. Finally, there are some swings (toddler, adaptive, and hammock-style saucer swings), a small curving climbing wall, and a unique pipe drum musical element. There is also a water spray feature in this playground! Small jets of water spout from the ground for a duration of time after a button is pressed. This water feature is quite integrated into the play area (i.e. hard to keep kids away) so probably good to plan accordingly. This playground is located at the eastern end of the 606 trail and despite it's central location actually seems quite removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. That being said, it's also a very popular playground that is used by school and camps groups so it can get crowded. The play area is not fully enclosed but it is fenced from the street. There are large, flat rocks set around the area as benches as well as two picnic tables for seating. The play area itself is bright and open though there are trees dotting the area for some shade and the play surface is wood chips. All in all, this is a great playground - especially for somewhat older children - and definitely a worthwhile destination.”
Ben Kremkow
10 months ago
“Great playground with multiple sections, good for kids of most ages. The green climbing structure has multiple slides, an enclosed tunnel at the top, and lots of activities below. The orange and black climbing rope structure has tons of different climbing activities and there's also swings and a spinning chair. There's picnic tables and walking paths, which connects to the 606 trail.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
The park's signature green structure links two tall towers via a fully enclosed rope-net bridge, with tube slides on each end. The orange-and-black rope structure adds a separate set of climbing challenges, as a spray feature runs in late spring and summer. A dog park, picnic area, and open grass field round out the space. The 606 Bloomingdale Trail is accessible directly from the park for extended family walks or rides.



