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Playgrounds

Walsh (John) Park

📍 West Town, IL

4.7(735 Google reviews)💰Free👶All ages

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.

Twin-tower climbing structureSix slidesWater sprinklersConnects to 606 trailDog parkFree entry
★★★★★Featured review by Angel Mercado

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

💡No restrooms on-site — plan a bathroom stop before arriving
Visit on weekday mornings to avoid school-group crowds on the main structures
🎟️The water sprinklers activate in late spring — check the season before expecting them
🚗Dress kids in clothes suited for climbing; the rope structures get a real workout

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
4.7

735 Google reviews

Outstanding climbing structures50%
Multiple slides and play zones25%
Water spray feature15%
Gets crowded with school groups10%
A

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

M Stewart

2 months ago

Great park for a winter meet up

A

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.

B

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.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday06:00 – 23:00
Tuesday06:00 – 23:00
Wednesday06:00 – 23:00
Thursday06:00 – 23:00
Friday06:00 – 23:00
Saturday06:00 – 23:00
Sunday06:00 – 23:00

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