About This Playground
🌳 Maggie Daley Park Play Garden is an innovative, 3-acre children's playground in downtown Chicago featuring distinct play areas themed after Alice in Wonderland, with climbing structures, suspension bridges, play equipment, and stunning views of the Chicago skyline.
Visitor Experience: Consistently rated as one of Chicago's best playgrounds with visitors praising its creative design, variety of play equipment, and downtown location. The playground maintains a 4.7/5 average rating across review platforms.>
More about this playground
Playground Type
Address
Maggie Daley Park, 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Phone
(312) 552-3000
+1 312-552-3000
Coordinates
41.88183, -87.61808
Hours of Operation
Hours may vary during holidays. Please call ahead for confirmation.
Playground Features
Age Suitability
The playground is designed for children of all ages with dedicated areas for different age groups: 2-5 years, 5-12 years, and 12+ years.
Equipment Available
Includes 40-foot climbing walls, suspension bridges, slides, swings, spinners, a lighthouse-inspired tower, ship-themed play area, sensory garden, mirror maze, and equipment designed for children with disabilities.
Shaded Areas
Several shaded areas throughout the playground with large canopies over some play structures and mature trees providing natural shade in certain sections.
Seating For Parents
Abundant seating options including benches throughout the playground, picnic tables, and grassy areas ideal for family relaxation.
Restroom Availability
Clean, family-friendly restrooms located at the field house and near the skating ribbon. Changing stations available in both men's and women's facilities.
Drinking Fountains
Multiple drinking fountains with bottle fillers throughout the playground area and park.
Safety Accessibility
Fencing
The play area is partially fenced with natural boundaries and landscaping creating safe play zones. Entrances and exits are clearly marked.
Surface Material
Soft, rubberized surfaces throughout the playground provide impact absorption. Additional areas include engineered wood fiber and artificial turf.
Ada Accessibility
Fully ADA compliant with wheelchair-accessible pathways, adaptive play equipment, and ramps to major play structures.
Cleanliness Maintenance
Very well-maintained with daily cleaning, regular equipment checks, and prompt repairs. The Chicago Park District maintains high standards of cleanliness throughout the facility.
Additional Amenities
Nearby Parking
Underground parking available at Millennium Garages with direct access to the park. Street parking is limited. Validated parking options available for park visitors.
Pet Policy
Dogs are not allowed within the playground area but are permitted in other areas of Maggie Daley Park on leashes. Dog waste stations are provided.
Bike Racks
Multiple bike racks located at park entrances and near the playground with approximately 50 bike parking spaces.
Nearby Food Options
Seasonal concession stands within the park. The nearby Buckingham Fountain area and Michigan Avenue offer additional dining options including food trucks during summer months.
Sports Areas
The park includes tennis courts, pickleball courts, a climbing wall, mini golf, and an ice skating ribbon (winter)/roller skating ribbon (summer).
Walking / Biking Trails Nearby
Connected to Chicago's Lakefront Trail and Millennium Park via the BP Pedestrian Bridge with miles of biking and walking paths.
Community Reviews
User Submitted Photos
Thousands of visitor photos showcase the playground's unique design, children enjoying various features, and spectacular views of Chicago's skyline from the play areas.
Recent Reviews
Visitors consistently praise the playground's creative design, cleanliness, and variety of play options. Many mention it's worth visiting even when traveling from out of town.
Crowd Levels
Busiest during summer weekends and holidays with moderate crowds on weekday afternoons. Early mornings and non-summer weekdays typically less crowded.
Special Events
Hosts regular seasonal events including summer camps, Halloween festivities, winter celebrations, and various family-friendly programming throughout the year.
User Experience
Entrance Fee
Free admission to the playground and park. Some activities like rock climbing and mini golf have separate fees.
Space For Groups
Excellent for groups with picnic areas and open spaces. Party reservation system available for birthdays and special events with designated gathering spots.
Nature Connection
Integrated gardens, native plantings, and landscaped areas provide natural elements throughout the playground experience.
Noise Level
Moderate to high during peak times but the large space prevents it from feeling overwhelming. Quieter areas are available in more secluded sections of the playground.
Aesthetic Design
Award-winning design inspired by children's literature and fantasy with artistic elements integrated throughout. The playground harmoniously blends with the Chicago skyline views.
Safety Regulations
Security Presence
Chicago Park District security regularly patrols the area. Police presence is common near the playground, especially during busy periods.
Rules Restrictions
No alcohol, smoking, or glass containers allowed. Children must be supervised by adults. Play areas have posted age recommendations and capacity limits.
First Aid Availability
First aid stations located at the field house with trained staff available during operating hours. Emergency call boxes positioned throughout the park.
Community Interaction
Community Activities
Regular programming includes story time, nature exploration, art activities, and seasonal special events designed to promote community engagement.
Social Interaction
The playground layout encourages cooperative play with spaces designed for children to interact and collaborate on play activities.
Sustainability Environment
Eco Friendly Practices
Implements rainwater collection systems, native plantings that require minimal irrigation, and recycling stations throughout the park.
Renewable Energy
Solar panels power some playground lighting and park features as part of Chicago's commitment to renewable energy in public spaces.
Walkability Bike Access
Highly accessible by foot or bicycle from downtown Chicago, with excellent connections to public transportation including nearby CTA stations and bus stops.
Reviews
Jftravels
a month ago
Located in Maggie Daley Park is the Play Garden. The Play Garden has a lot of fun things for kids to do. There's a little maze and various items for kids to play on such as a boat and a play area.
View on GoogleApril Chan-Tsui
a year ago
Wonderful park for children, with lots of different play spaces suited for kids of various ages. There were also lots of spots (many of them adequately shaded) for parents to sit and watch their kids too. The park also has a splash pad and mini golf area that we didn't get to try this time around, but it definitely offers another set of fun activities for kids and families to enjoy. The park is across the bridge from Millennium Park, so it also makes it easy for tourists to visit and do multiple things while in that area.
View on Googlevicente fernandez
a year ago
This play area is so bountiful of entertaining physical indícala for kids of all ages you will find yourself looking for the price of admission! It’s dangerously time consuming because you kids will continually find new areas and nooks and crannies to play in. Tucked away you feel miles away from a packed city. The walk in and out seems to be designed to transport you with every step to an area that seems magically placed in a city of mostly cement and iron. If the sun is out and you have kids this is a definitely place to stop on your journey in Chicago.
View on GoogleEric Doll
a year ago
Playground has a lot to offer. A lot of different 'rooms' that unique play elements can be found. Apparently so.e play slides are closed because kids are breaking bones. Some steep slopes for kids to climb at the main play area. Tough for my 4 year old.
View on GoogleHeidi Kolberg
a year ago
Lovely park! My daughter had a blast! Not for very Young toddlers like 2 year olds. It has lots of cool things. I am not from here so I found it a little difficult to find the play ground with in the park! Look for the building I circled in the picture. The play ground is closer to that building just follow the building lol Also they play grounds are separated by sections. That was a bit confusing and dangerous as I can totally see children getting lost.
View on Google