# Maggie Daley Park

Maggie Daley Park's spectacular 3-acre Play Garden features interconnected themed areas like The Wave Lawn, The Slide Crater, and The Enchanted Forest that have captivated Chicago families since opening in 2014. Located in the heart of downtown, the park offers the iconic quarter-mile Skating Ribbon—ranked #2 nationwide by USA Today in 2024—alongside 40-foot climbing walls and an 18-hole Chicago-themed mini golf course. This beloved lakefront destination combines innovative play design with stunning city skyline views, drawing families from across the region year-round.

## Details
- **Type**: sight
- **Location**: Chicago, IL
- **Address**: 337 E Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601
- **Website**: https://www.maggiedaleypark.com/
- **Pricing**: budget (Free park admission. Skating Ribbon: Free with own skates Mon-Thu and 11 AM Fri-Sun, $5 other times. Skate rentals $17-$23. Climbing wall and mini golf have separate fees.)
- **Outline Rating**: 1/10 (Bortle Class 9 - Inner city. Downtown Chicago has severe light pollution making stargazing nearly impossible. Park is best for daytime activities and lakefront views.)
- **Accessibility Rating**: 9/10 (Excellent accessibility throughout. Play Garden features poured-in-place soft surfaces and ADA-compliant play elements with ramped access in The Harbor section. Fieldhouse has power door entry, wide hallways, and modern accessible bathrooms. Accessible parking on Randolph Street and Millennium Lakeside Garage with elevator access.)

## Family Amenities
- 3-acre-play-garden
- skating-ribbon
- climbing-wall
- mini-golf
- tennis-courts
- picnic-groves
- fieldhouse
- wave-lawn
- slide-crater
- enchanted-forest
- accessible-play-structures

## Insider Tips
We found that The Harbor section of the Play Garden is perfect for toddlers—it has ramped access and gentler play equipment than the more adventurous Slide Crater. The best hack here is arriving at 6 AM on summer weekends to beat the crowds and enjoy the climbing wall with minimal wait times. Contrast Tip: Most families cluster in The Enchanted Forest, but The Wave Lawn on the eastern edge offers the best skyline photo opportunities and is less crowded for picnics.

## Frequently Asked Questions
### Q: Is the Skating Ribbon really free?
Yes! If you bring your own skates, the Skating Ribbon is free Monday through Thursday and during 11 AM sessions Friday through Sunday. Other times cost $5 with your own skates, or $17-$23 with rentals.

### Q: What age is the Play Garden designed for?
The Play Garden has areas designed for children of all ages and abilities, from toddlers in The Harbor to adventurous older kids in The Slide Crater and climbing structures. The poured-in-place surface and ADA-compliant elements make it accessible for everyone.

### Q: When is the climbing wall open?
The climbing wall operates during summer months only. Check the park website for specific seasonal dates and hours.

### Q: Is there parking at the park?
Yes, accessible parking is available on Randolph Street and in the Millennium Lakeside Garage, which has street-level elevator access directly to the park. The park is also accessible via CTA trains and buses.

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*Source: Outline*