This is number six in my series of things to do with children while parenting alone. Whether you’re divorced, separated or just have the kids for the weekend, I hope these suggestions will help you make memories with your children. I’m not just a lawyer, I’m also a dad.
While Chicago is typically not the most kid-friendly city there is a massive kid focused park located in the middle of the city. Maggie Daley Park is located approximately three blocks away from my office in the heart of the Loop.
One of the highest ranking attractions in Chicago, Maggie Daley Park is a twenty (20) acre park located at 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago, Illinois 60601 (East of Millennium Park). Maggie Daley is a recently revamped kid-focused area designed by Michael Van Valekenburgh Associates. This park features Chicago’s only outdoor climbing park, a path-like “skating ribbon” in the winter, a three (3) acre play garden, tennis courts and picnic areas. Don’t forget to take the kids to the nearby imaginative equipment, including a wave lawn, enchanted forest and an array of slides. Maggie Daley Park is open from 6am to 11pm 365 days a year. Admission fee for the park is free. Please note service costs are associated with the climbing wall, mini golf, and snack kiosks. No dogs are allowed into Maggie Daley Park. Alcohol is permitted only in designated areas of the park and the restaurant.
One of the most memorable areas at MDP are two rock-climbing structures that form Chicago’s first and only Climbing Park. The climbing wall is managed by Lakeshore Sport & Fitness with a maximum height of 40 feet over a total surface area of 19,000 square feet. If this is your first venture into rock climbing, the climbing wall is divided into three different area(s) of difficulty: bouldering, lead-harnessed and top rope. The climbing wall capacity is between 25 to 100 climbers at a given time and operates on a first-come, first serve basis. Climbing registration takes place on-site only.
Wall climbing pricing varies as well. Top rope climbing is a 45-60 minute certification course with unlimited climb time at nineteen dollars ($19); Bouldering is a fifteen (15) minute certification course with unlimited climb time valued at ten dollars ($10). Price includes equipment such as a helmet, harness and shoes. Please bring a friend for bouldering, top rope climbing and lead rope climbing considering climbing is a dual sport. If you’re a first-time climber, you must complete a certification course. If you are returning from last season, you will have to pass a belay check or certification course.
Before heading out for a day at the park, please consider your travel and parking expenses. You have two options to consider: metered parking (available on upper Randolph Street at $6.50/hour) or garage parking including Millennium Lakeside Garage (located steps from the park). Visit the Maggie Daley Park website for discounted parking availability. Designated accessible parking is available on Randolph Street and within Millennium Lakeside Garage.
It’s important to note that Trip Expert awarded Maggie Daley Park it’s “2018 Expert Choice Award for Attractions”.
To get more information about programs and classes at Maggie Daley Park, please visit the Chicago Park District Website or call 312.742.3918.
Maggie Daley Park is just a short 3 minutes away from my Chicago law office. Directions below: