Butterfield Park — Attraction in Illinois

Renovations offer an entirely different array of contraptions than your typical playground, making it an even more ideal space for everyone regardless of age. I myself stumbled back upon the park while driving aimlessly with my younger sister late one night, and we decided to revisit our childhood nostalgia (despite the renovations) and had a blast! (Please refer to bullet points for specifics *5th contains POTENTIAL HAZARD, and some worthwhile safety consideration)

With spacious and well protected seating* remodeling thus offers heightened security/safety and participant occupancy. (*By this I mean that the plastic seating is designed to fully and securely cradle as to prevent possible spills from equipment as opposed to equipment with safety bars leaving physical gaps.

Newer equipment (again) encourages group play, promoting an interactive environment amongst children, which helps to enhance social skills and encourage inclusion as well as teamwork. Likewise, also stimulates the mind through curiosity that results in not only physical exercise but subconsciously incorporates the use of the brain by means of problem solving as many of the features are abstract in the sense they require thought before use. (obviously nothing so challenging that its discouraging, but little things such as the resistance on the device that slides back and forth along the rail which, in turn, forces one to figure out how to overcome said force in order to make it across),

While offering inclusive and thought-incorporating mechanisms, this park also has a wonderful blend of the original architecture which seamlessly transitions in and out of suitability for all age groups, so smaller children are constantly engaged in the fun and not left out of what 'only the older kids are doing.' Adults and elderly persons too can enjoy the ease of the layout with the substantial amount of seating spread throughout--not including the picnic area or other recreational fields adjacent to the park itself--as well as ramps and limited stairs. Perfect for people with small children to chase, or those in need of handicap accessible options.

Ground material is a DEFINITE upgrade and 'fall' proof type of flooring to put to rest most concerns of face-plant tripping, chaotic child collisions and overestimated jumps from moving swings that were a tad too high to stick the landing without momentum and gravity winning out.

I, personally, (well into my mid-twenties and with a bad knee) overestimated my own landing power with a similar jump from both a fast moving glider and a higher point of the jungle gym tower, both resulting in what SHOULD have been a harsher tumble and badly skinned knees and palms. HOWEVER, to my surprise, the spring and cushioning of the 'moosh ground' ,as I like to call it, drastically offset the force of my body weight to the extent I only came out of it with a small skid on one of my knees, no bleeding. VERY ideal for those with small children!

My ONE concerning afterthought and disturbance over upon exploring the new facility would be the manmade rock wall. Which, as opposed to the common incline with amorphous colored grips and footholds akin to an actual rock wall, looks more like something you'd find decorating a landscape or poolside of some kind.

Instead, it is LITERALLY a miniature clifside with unsystematically grafted rocks inconsistently sticking out farther than others. Realistic? Yes. Safe? I think not. While it offers a neat little hideaway built underneath it, the material is hard, the wall is relatively high, and the rocks jutting out to mimic where one may assume to. step are not to be confused with footholds (making missteps VERY easy, if not unavoidable) and there are no form of handholds. Any kind of fall or collision seems far too hazardous to me. Not to mention the lack of structure regarding order or proper usage creates a pile up of bodies moving willynilly and all at the same time from above, below, and within (as it is not designed for single-file-use). Would avoid/APPROACH...

This park is great for babies, crawlers, toddler and bug kids. There's an awesome accessible zip-line for kids who need restraint, wheel chair accessible sway boat, wheelchair accessible ramps and equipment for kids. There's 4 big shades to keep the sun off the kids, 4 picnic tables, a 3 spout water fountain including a spout just for water bottles, nearby bathroom in the lower level of the preschool in the parking lot.

There's a baby park next to the big kids park, 6 swings total (2 baby, 2 accessible ones, 2 big kid swings).

The bathroom is in the lower level of the preschool, follow the winding path that has hand rails, see picture. It's big enough for a stroller, even a double stroller in the biggest stall. There isn't a changing table though. However, you can use the dog trash bags near the entrance to place your stinky diaper in before disposal. There's also a water fountain near here too.

I love this park because I can invite my mom friends with kids from ages 1...

This is the in the top 3 public parks in Elmhurst.

Something for everyone to relax, play baseball, for your kids to play on the playground as well as a good paved trail that goes around the entire park.

This park is a beautiful green field, a little league field as well as an NCAA regulated field that is useable when the local collage is not using it. This is one of the better suburban parks that i have been to overall and makes for a great way for locals to get outside for awhile. As well as a great place with picnic benchs and canopy seating as well.

If in the area or want a small detour off the Illinois Prairie Path to make a loop this is...