Where to Find Fenced-In Playgrounds Across the Chicago Suburbs and Beyond
Children Activities, Parent Education
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Fenced-in playgrounds can offer families an added layer of safety and peace of mind, especially for children who may wander, but they aren’t always easy to find. Below is a growing list of playgrounds described as fenced, along with other inclusive and accessible options, near Westside Children’s Therapy communities across the Chicago suburbs and beyond. |
A Resource We Hope Helps Your Family
Finding a playground where your child can explore, move, and play comfortably can make a big difference for families. For parents of children who may wander or elope, a fully fenced playground can offer an added layer of security while still giving kids plenty of room to play.
Unfortunately, fenced playgrounds aren’t always easy to find. We’ve gathered several options near Westside Children’s Therapy communities, along with other inclusive and accessible playgrounds families may want to explore.
Please note: playground features, fencing, hours, and public access can change. We recommend checking with the park district, school, or playground directly before your visit.
Why Fenced Playgrounds Can Be Helpful
For some children, particularly those who may wander or elope, an enclosed play space can provide an additional layer of safety. Research has found that wandering is common among children with autism, with one study of more than 1,200 children finding that 49 percent had attempted to elope and, of those, 53 percent were gone long enough to cause real concern for their safety1. That makes safe and accessible community spaces especially valuable for many families.
A fenced playground does not replace active adult supervision, but it can be one helpful feature when families are choosing a place to play.
Fenced Playgrounds Near Plainfield, Lockport & Joliet
Plainfield has a strong option: the Sensory Playground at Van Horn Woods includes a tactile climbing sphere, a spinning platform, interactive panels, a communication board for nonverbal children, and is described as having a fenced perimeter, developed with input from the Northern Will County Special Recreation Association. We were not able to confirm a fully fenced playground near Lockport, Joliet, New Lenox, Homer Glen, Frankfort, or Shorewood at the time of this writing. Orland Park and Tinley Park each have accessible and sensory-friendly playgrounds worth a look, though we could not confirm fencing at either.
- Plainfield: Sensory Playground at Van Horn Woods, described as fenced, with sensory features
- Lockport, Joliet, New Lenox, Homer Glen, Frankfort, Shorewood: no fenced playground currently confirmed
- Orland Park and Tinley Park: accessible playgrounds worth visiting, fencing unconfirmed
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Fenced Playgrounds Near Wheaton, Naperville & Elmhurst
Wheaton has a solid option close to downtown: the playground at Longfellow Elementary School is described online as fully fenced. A short drive from Naperville, Willowbrook, or Elmhurst turns up a few more: Hope D. Wall School Playground in Aurora is described as completely fenced and fully accessible, though it’s only open after school hours and on weekends; Darien Community Park is described as a fenced playground with wheelchair-accessible surfacing; and the Sandlot Universal Playground in Oak Brook is described as fully fenced and sits in a shaded part of the park. Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Carol Stream, and Lombard each have strong accessible playgrounds, but we could not confirm fencing at any of them.
- Wheaton: Longfellow Elementary School Playground, described as fully fenced
- Near Naperville and Willowbrook: Hope D. Wall School Playground, Aurora, described as fully fenced, after-school and weekend hours
- Near Willowbrook and Elmhurst: Darien Community Park and The Sandlot Universal Playground (Oak Brook), both described as fully fenced
- Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Carol Stream, Lombard: accessible playgrounds exist, fencing not confirmed
Fenced Playgrounds Near Oswego, Geneva & Schaumburg
Oswego, Geneva, and Schaumburg each have accessible, sensory-friendly playgrounds in their own communities, but we could not confirm fencing for any specific listing in this area. Oswego’s riverfront playground offers accessible surfacing and sensory-friendly design in a walkable downtown setting, and Geneva has an inclusive playground with ramp access and rubberized surfacing. For families in this area, the fenced options listed above near Naperville and Aurora may be worth the short drive.
Fenced Playgrounds Near Rockford, Loves Park & DeKalb
Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, and DeKalb sit in an area where the Rockford Park District has invested heavily in inclusive play, including communication boards and accessible surfacing at parks like the John Beck Memorial Playground and the renovated playground at Wentland Sports Complex in Loves Park. We were not able to confirm a fully fenced playground in this area, which may be worth raising directly with the park district given how much other accessibility work is already underway there.
Fenced Playgrounds Near Peoria & Park Ridge
Peoria has a large, fully inclusive playground at Glen Oak Park, and East Peoria’s Neumann Park offers a community-supported inclusive design as well, though we could not confirm fencing at either. We also did not find a documented fenced playground near Park Ridge at the time of this writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren’t more playgrounds fenced already?
Fencing adds cost and maintenance considerations for park districts, and many playgrounds were designed before accessible and secure play became a bigger focus in park planning.
My town wasn’t listed as having a fenced playground. Does that mean there isn’t one?
Not necessarily. This list reflects what we found so far, and playground features can change. It’s always worth calling your local park district directly to confirm current details.
Can I request that my local park district add fencing to an existing playground?
Yes. Park districts do take resident requests seriously, and a specific, written request, especially from more than one family, carries real weight.
Where can I search for more options beyond this list?
The Inclusive Play Atlas maintains a growing, searchable directory of accessible and inclusive playgrounds across Illinois, with notes on which are described as fenced2.
Is Westside planning to get involved in advocating for more fenced playgrounds?
This is something our team is actively exploring, including how we might support local advocacy or keep a more complete resource list current. We’ll share more as those conversations develop.
Help Us Keep This Resource Growing
We know how helpful it can be to find community spaces that work for your child’s individual needs. That’s why we want this list to continue growing.
If you know of a fenced, inclusive, or accessible playground near one of our Westside communities that we should add, please let us know at info@westsidect.com.
And if you’re looking for additional resources or support for your child, the Westside Children’s Therapy team is here to help.
Call us at 815-783-2544 or submit a contact form.
Know a family who has given up looking for a fenced playground nearby? Share this with them. It might be exactly what they needed today.
Clinically verified by Brenda Boehm, BCBA, LBA, Westside Children’s Therapy
Sources
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- Anderson C, Law JK, Daniels A, et al. Occurrence and family impact of elopement in children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 2012, via CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/disability-safety/wandering.html
- Accessible and Inclusive Playgrounds in Illinois. Inclusive Play Atlas. https://www.inclusiveplayatlas.com/illinois
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