Harvester Park

2016: Beautiful, with diverse activities.

Updated 2021:
This park gets better every year. It has grown with our baby (now 4 years old). Love the variety of activities for kids. Lots of shade too! Public restroom and water fountain available. Splash pad is so refreshing on a hot summer day!

I think this is the best park I have ever been to in my whole entire life for my children. There is so many things to do and it keeps them entertained for hours. There is a sand area there is a little stream there’s all kinds of slides there’s a smaller park and a bigger park this place has everything definitely a place you want to check out. There is a splash pad but as of 6/4/2021 it is not working

GREAT PLACE TO FISH FOR BIG CATS, BIG BLUEGILL & SMALL FINICKY BASS."I'VE BEEN GOING HERE FOR YEARS & HARVESTER PARK HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN." GREAT CASUAL FISHING FOR THE KIDS; GUARANTEED TO CATCH PLENTY OF BLUEGILL. ALSO, GREAT FOR THE KNOWLEDGEABLE, SERIOUS ANGLERS! CAUGHT MY H. PARK PERSONAL BEST LG. MOUTH (04/30/21); BIG FEMALE: 3.46 LBS.. EXTREMELY CLEAR WATER FOR THE AMOUNT OF SEDIMENT & VEGETATION. AMAZING PARK & FISHING FOR SUCH A SMALL ECOSYSTEM! "PLEASE THROW BACK THE BIG ONE'S."

Harvester Park has many different things to offer that most parks do not. I like that they have a wide range of activities for children who are smaller, (small-scale climbing areas as well as a music and sounds creation area /locks and gears area all at a small child's scale) as well as areas designed for much older children such as big kid swings, climbing nets that lead up to bridges, a tilted spinning activity, and even a short zip line. There is also a flat circular swinging apparatus that looks like would be perfect for children who had trouble sitting up who were older. An extensive sand and water play area that has water as well as a pulley system with buckets to haul sand up to another level is a great place for exploration for children of many ages. It also offers restrooms, a picnic area, it is connected to a prairie and wetlands walking path.

This playground is worth the drive, no matter where you live in the Chicago area. The various large play areas are well-designed and engaging.
You will want to come prepared to play in the sand - even children who don't normally choose the sandbox will be drawn to the extensive sand play ideas presented here.
In the summer time, the splash pad is also very inviting, so you will want to come prepared for water play, too!
My favorite is the musical play area. I've never seen anything quite like it; children inclined to experiment with sounds will want to explore this area for hours.
Also worth mentioning are the zip line and merry-go-round - two don't-miss features for bigger kids. And the climb-on train with working bell - a memorable play experience for the younger set.