These mulch-free, mud-free playgrounds generally use either artificial turf or a colorful, soft, spongy play surface as an alternative to mulch or wood chips.
If it’s rained recently, you may find them to be a less-muddy alternative to traditional playgrounds! They’re also excellent for toddlers who tend to end up crawling in the woodchips . . . or trying to eat them, if they’re anything like my kids when they were younger.
We’ve scoped out options all around the suburbs so you can get a sneak peek before you go.
Newton Park, Glen Ellyn
Newton Park
707 Fairview Avenue
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
You’ll find a large, shaded picnic pavilion at this park with a mud-free turf surface. It was designed with inclusivity in mind and has multiple play structures for older and younger kids alike.
Camera Park, Glendale Heights
Camera Park
101 E. Fullerton Avenue
Glendale Heights, IL
This huge community park has a big playground that’s covered in a soft, squishy play surface. In addition, you’ll also find a splash pad, challenge course, skate park, and all kinds of sports, including disc golf. A shady pavilion offers a great place to cool off with a snack or lunch.
Candy Cane Park, Brookfield
Candy Cane Park
Park Avenue between 28th and 29th Streets
Brookfield, IL 60513
Play structures for older and younger kids, as well as a soft, spongy surface and a shaded pavilion with picnic tables. This park underwent a big renovation to include a new playground for ages 2-12 years old featuring a 33″ zipline, spinning sensory wave seats, swings, suspension bridge, slides and climbers. It also has another playground area for ages 18 months to 5 years old, concrete paths throughout the park, t-ball backstop with base paths, a tennis court, pickleball lined court, half-court basketball areas, baggo courts, and pavilion shelter.
Spring Rock Park, Western Springs
Spring Rock Park
Western Springs, IL 60558
4400 Central Avenue
Spring Rock Park combines a neighborhood park and a tot lot to appeal to a wide variety of ages. The playground is part of a larger outdoor recreation complex that includes walking paths, horseshoe pits, flowers beds, sports fields, pavilions, and picnic tables… and a bathroom! We also covered the opening of a splash pad at the park in 2021. Please note that some of the park has wood chips, but other areas have a soft, mud-free surface.
Sunset Knoll, Lombard
Sunset Knoll
820 S. Finely Road
Lombard, IL 60148
This popular playground is also near a huge park that features a splash pad, sledding hill, fishing pond, sports fields, picnic shelter, and sand play area.
Eldridge Park East Playground, Elmhurst
Eldridge Park (East)
363 W. Commonwealth Lane
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Right next to the Eldridge Lagoon, this big playground has structures for various ages, as well as squishy mud-free play surfaces. You’ll find another playground at Eldridge Park, too.
Plunkett Park, Elmhurst
Plunkett Park (Elmhurst)
100 S West Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Plunkett Park has a really cute treehouse theme, with artificial turf to match. It’s also built with some fun pieces you won’t see in every playground, including a swing that caregivers and kids can share together. The park has athletic fields, picnic tables, a restroom, and a concession stand, too.
Washington Park, Elmhurst
Washington Park
445 S. Poplar Avenue
Elmhurst , IL 60126
Washington Park is a favorite of parents with younger kids thanks to the easily accessible play structure and soft turf. You’ll also find picnic tables nearby if you’d like to bring lunch or a snack.
Robbins Park, Hinsdale
Irma Butler Tot Lot
415 W 8th Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
The playground equipment and surface was completed at the end of April 2022 to include a four-person toddler seesaw, small slides, climbing, clubhouse, and two baby swings on artificial turf.
Kettering Park, Lemont
Kettering Park
13614 Anne Drive
Lemont, IL 60439
This boldly colored neighborhood playground’s tall slides and climbing features will appeal to older kids, and there’s elements for little ones too, including an expression swing. You’ll find both shaded picnic tables and a work table with solar-powered outlets.
Briarcliffe Park, Lemont
Briarcliffe Park
13340 Briarcliffe Drive
Lemont, IL 60439
This new playground has a cute little playhouse, spongy turf, swings including adaptive and two-person swings, a big net climber, and a small shaded picnic table area. You’ll find a paved nature path behind the playground, too.
Rehm Park, Oak Park
Rehm Park
515 Garfield Street
Oak Park, IL 60304
Located across the street from the Oak Park Conservatory, Rehm Park is a beloved local favorite. A fresh remodel means you’ll find new playground equipment and a soft turf surface, as well as the walking paths, shady trees, and hand-powered trains (available on weekends select times of year). Check out our full article on Rehm Park for more details.
Andover Park, Oswego
Andover Park
334 Andover Drive
Oswego, IL 60504
This ADA accessible playground completed in August, 2022 is the first playground in Oswego to feature synthetic turf. In addition to the new playground, there is also a half-court basketball court, nature walk with pollinator/bird houses and interpretive signage, and picnic shelter.
Mayfair Park, Westchester
Mayfair Park, Westchester
10835 Wakefield St.
Westchester, IL 60154
This fun playground is awesome for little ones! Parking is available near the cross section of Raleigh Street and Boeger Avenue, or you can park in the Westchester Park District parking lot and incorporate a walk around the baseball diamond before playing at the playground. The park district building is also home to Forest the Fox’s Playbox.
The Sandlot Universal Playground, Oak Brook
The Sandlot Universal Playground
1301 Forest Gate Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
The Sandlot Universal Playground is near the Tennis Center and inclusive with double wide ramps and equipment for all abilities. The baseball theme carries through even to stadium seats for the adults. It’s also one of three playgrounds at Central Park in Oak Brook; if you’d like, you can do a whole playground circuit with your kids! Click here to read more about The Sandlot.
Darien Community Park, Darien
Darien Community Park
7100 Clarendon Hills Road
Darien, IL 60561
Although the address for Darien Community Park is listed as Clarendon Hills Road, the parking lot for the toddler-friendly fenced-in playground is off Plainfield Road right across the street from Indian Prairie Library. It makes a great combo trip!
There’s a lot of opportunities for imaginary play with a lemonade stand, the fire truck pictured above, castle, play house, and island and boat-themed playground equipment. Additionally, the playground was designed with accessibility in mind, including wheelchair-friendly soft surface, ramps, a wheelchair-accessible spinner, and more. Click here to read more about this great park.
Maryknoll Park, Glen Ellyn
Maryknoll Park
845 Pershing Avenue
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Maryknoll Park is a definitely favorite for toddlers! Check out the little tree house play structure, swings, big a sandbox with water features, and a low-to-the-ground disc swing. It also has a miniature golf course and a paid splash pad if you’d like to extend your trip!
95th Street Community Plaza, Naperville
95th Street Community Plaza
3109 Cedar Glade Drive
Naperville, IL 60564
This book-themed playground is right outside the 95th Street Library and has colorful and bright equipment for kids to explore, slide down, and climb on. There’s also a free, fenced-in splash pad that’s open over the summer. Click here for a full overview of 95th Street Community Plaza.
Wolf’s Crossing Community Plaza, Naperville
This big playground has a soft, spongy surface throughout. There are quite a few different play structures, including a toddler area with outdoor instruments, as well as an attached splash pad and an outdoor fitness center. Click here for Katie’s full overview of Wolf’s Crossing Community Park in Naperville.
Denning Park, La Grange
Denning Park
4903 Willow Springs Road
La Grange, IL 60525
Located across the street from Lyons Township South Campus, this is a favorite park for many because of the variety of equipment, climbing rock, and large field to run around in.
Owen’s Playground at Hillcrest School, Downers Grove
Owen’s Playground at Hillcrest School
1435 Jefferson Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60516
Please note that Owen’s Playground is only open to the public outside of school hours. Owen Chaidez and his mom, Peg, started Dream Build Play Experience to make sure that all kids, of all abilities, can safely play. This playground is the first of many playgrounds they have had a hand in creating across Chicagoland! Click here for the full overview of Owen’s Playground.
Jaycee Playground at the Riverwalk, Naperville
Jaycee Playground at the Riverwalk
912 Sindt Court
Naperville, IL 60540
This completely renovated playground (completed in October 2019) features new play structures, swings, surfacing, and stand-alone play structures. It’s right off the Naperville Riverwalk if you’d like to add a stroll to your visit!
Discovery Park, Lisle
Discovery Playground
Lisle Community Park
1825 Short Street
Lisle, IL 60532
Discovery Playground was built with accessibility for all in mind! You’ll find wide ramps, musical instruments, two zip lines (one with a bucket seat), disc swing, a wheelchair accessible spinner, an expression baby swing, and more. The soft, spongy surface is great for toddlers finding their footing, too.
Lester Community Park, Downers Grove
Lester Community Playground
Lester Elementary School
236 Indianapolis Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60516
This playground is designed to be accessible to children of all abilities and developmental levels! It’s got artificial turf, communication boards for those who use AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), and more. The playground is only open to the public during non-school hours and is designed for ages 5-12 years old. Click here for a full overview of Lester Community Park and the story behind it.
Kelly Park, Wheaton
Kelly Park
1100 S Main Street
Wheaton, IL 60189
Artificial turf lines the surface of this spacious playground in Wheaton. In addition to play structures for different ages, it also has a small obstacle area, as well as a parent-child swing.
Northside Park, Wheaton
Northside Park
1300 N West Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
This playground has a beautiful setting at Lincoln Marsh Waterway. Kids can slip down a slide set into a hill, meander down the paths and across the bridge, and brave the zipline. There’s also a huge sledding hill that is fun to roll down on a warm day.
Seven Gables Park, Wheaton
Seven Gables Park
1750 S Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
This big playground has separate big kids and little kids sections, as well as free-standing climbing walls and nets.
Ridgemoor Park, Willowbrook
Ridgemoor Park
6415 Quincy Street
Willowbrook, IL 60527
This neighborhood park was replaced with a new ADA compatible playground. It has a poured-in-place surface, extended concrete paths with bridges, and ADA compatible picnic table. The expression swing is great and two different slides appeal to different age groups. Completed September, 2022.
Gordon Park, La Grange
Gordon Park
Ogden and Tilden Avenues
La Grange IL, 60525
This sunny park is great for spring days when you want to catch all the sunshine you can!
Patriots Park, Downers Grove
Patriots Park
55th and Grand
Downers Grove, IL 60516
This boat-themed playground is in a beautiful setting next to a pond. There’s a walking path for a stroll around the pond and some trees where kids can play, too.
The Playground for Everyone at Butterfield Park, Elmhurst
The Playground for Everyone at Butterfield Park
385 E. Van Buren Street
Elmhurst, IL 60126
This colorful playground has equipment for everyone! It was designed with inclusivity in mind, so you’ll find a variety of accessible play structures.
Centennial Park, Elmhurst
Centennial Park
155 E. St. Charles Road
Elmhurst IL 60126
This new playground opened in July 2022 next to the Adult Center building and includes an ages 5-12 playground, zipline, net climber, swings, green-roof covered picnic area, fountains, adult fitness equipment, and green space. Click here to see all the features of the park as well as info on when the fountains run.
Forest Glen Park, Woodridge
Forest Glen Park
2908 Forest Glen Parkway
Woodridge, IL 60517
My kids love running up and down the colorful striped hills here! This park also has a bubbling fountain surrounded by flowers and a shaded picnic pavilion.
Andover Park, Oswego
Andover Park
334 Andover Drive
Oswego, IL 60504
This ADA accessible playground completed in August, 2022 is the first playground in Oswego to feature synthetic turf. In addition to the new playground, there is also a half-court basketball court, nature walk with pollinator/bird houses and interpretive signage, and picnic shelter.
Harvester Park, Burr Ridge
Harvester Park
15W400 Harvester Drive
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
You are going to love the new Route 66 playground in the back half of the park beyond the music barn and bridge. Bounce on the in-ground trampolines, climb up the Willis Tower to slide down the tube slides, balance on the surf boards, traverse between rocks in the Grand Canyon section, hang out with Mater, and climb around. Click here for a full overview of the playground with photos. Completed July, 2022.
Want to see more great playgrounds?
Head to our Ultimate Guide to Playgrounds in the Western Suburbs. It has suggestions for every age group and type of park you are looking for! Our list of best playgrounds includes readers’ local favorites, so be sure to check that out too!
