Goudy Playground is tucked away in a quiet corner of the Gold Coast. 

It's a gated park with many mature trees and benches to provide shade and a spot to sit and snack.  The park's sightlines are clear and visible from just about every corner of the park, so a busy parent juggling multi-aged kiddos can rest (a little) easier when trying to track each active kiddo.  The park is well-loved and has a very active neighborhood support group.  It has rubber padding under the structures and an older kid structure with climbing nets, balance bars, etc.  Younger kids also have a structure in a separate area with slides, a ride-on "rocket", and plenty of things to climb.  Near the little kids’ structure is a "car" structure where babies and tots can go in and out of doors, fill up the gas, and drive.  There are also statues/sculptures scattered throughout the park, and the turtle and frog tend to be favorites for tots and babies to sit on or climb. There are also plenty of swings for all ages and abilities.  

There are water fountains (turned on seasonally) in the playground, but no nearby toilets.  One can easily change a baby's diaper on a bench or along the foot walls enclosing some garden parts.  There are usually bubbles, and chalk (sometimes balls) left behind for all to share.  There aren't many playgrounds in this ritzy area of the city, so this one gets busy on summer weekends.  Nearby daycares and preschools without their own spaces frequent this spot mid-morning almost every day of the week.  But we tend to come early and have the place to ourselves, at least for a short time on a weekday morning.    

This area of the city has a renowned Halloween bash for trick-or-treating.  And the heart of it all is the kid/family friendly party held in Goudy Playground.  Plan for this time of year and stop by.  It's a blast, and every Chicagoan, native or touring, should experience the magic and spookiness of Halloween in this area.