Free for All Ages, Year-Round: This Massive 3-Acre “Enchanted Forest” Play Zone Near the Lakefront Is a Hidden Gem for Families

You don’t have to be a kid to appreciate the magic of stories like “Alice in Wonderland” or “Peter Pan.” Nostalgia washes over us like waves. Often reminding us to hold on to those feelings—perhaps even letting your child emerge from time to time. Fortunately, there is a place of enchanting wonder in the heart of Chicago — more accurately, in Maggie Daley Park. The southeast section of the park features a unique 3-acre Play Garden, a first of its kind in the city. The design here blends play with landscapes, setting it apart from traditional parks and gardens. This space captures the imagination, stimulates the senses year-round, and integrates custom-designed play structures and sculptures into the landscape. Get lost in an enchanted forest in Chicago ---------------------------------------------- At the center of Maggie Daley Park, you’ll find a 3,590-square-foot Enchanted Forest, featuring a network of pathways and play zones dedicated to imaginative outdoor play and sensory exploration. As you stroll through the Enchanted Forest, you’ll encounter archways defined by upside-down trees , where major branches touch the ground at multiple points, and a single trunk reaches skyward. Inside the Enchanted Forest, visitors can find a Turning Stone. This mammoth upright stone rotates around its vertical axis, allowing anyone to set it in motion with a little effort. Other notable destinations within the Enchanted Forest include a large circular tea party table with eight bench seats surrounded by plants, and an open mirrored maze, called the Kaleidoscope, set amidst a grove of Quaking Aspen trees. It’s a space where you can genuinely get lost —whether you’re a kid... or an adult. Source: https://secretchicago.com/enchanted-forest-maggie-daley-park-chicago/