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What percentage of Chicago's land is devoted to public parks?
- More than eight percent of Chicago's city land is devoted to public parks and green spaces, making it one of the American cities with the highest percentage of public park lands.
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Why is Chicago referred to as the "city in a garden"?
- The city, colloquially referred to as the "city in a garden" since the 1830s, is home to a number of nationally-renowned park spaces.
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Who designed Chicago's parks?
- These parks were designed by some of the 19th and 20th centuries' most famous landscape architects and designers.
Best Time to Visit Parks in Chicago, IL
- April to June – Mild temperatures, blooming flowers, and perfect for walking and picnics.
- September to October – Cooler weather, vibrant fall foliage, and fewer crowds.
- July & August – Warm and sunny, ideal for outdoor festivals and lakefront activities.
- December to February – Quiet season with snowy landscapes, great for peaceful winter walks.
- Late May – Prime time for enjoying spring blooms and outdoor events.
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1. Adams Park
Let kids play and relax by the fountain on a fun family outing.
Adams Park is a charming 0.78-acre park in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, open to the public year-round. The park was originally established in 1902 and is named in honor of Illinois Congressman George Adams and his wife, Adele Foster Adams, who donated their private property for the creation of the park's lands. Features include a small field house hosting seasonal indoor activities for families, including summer camps and weekly parent-child groups for toddlers. Children's playground areas include an interactive water play area added to the park in 1997, named in honor of regional school teacher Dorothy Melamerson. Day-use picnic tables require permit reservation on the weekends, available by contacting park staff. Other features include a playing field, a sand court, and a seasonal ice skating pond.
1919 N. Seminary Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, Phone: 312-742-7787
2. Armour Square Park
Shoot hoops or stroll shady paths during an easy urban trip.
Armour Square Park is an 8.98-acre park in the Chicago neighborhood of the same name, best known for its proximity to the Chicago White Sox stadium. The park, which was originally opened to the public in 1906, was one of 10 parks crafted within the city's original park system, which was designed by nationally-renowned landscape architects the Olmsted Brothers, in cooperation with Daniel H. Burnham and Company. It is named in honor of Chicago industrialist Philip D. Armour and offers a wide variety of amenities for parkgoers, including a fieldhouse featuring an indoor fitness center, auditorium, and two gymnasium facilities. Outside, the park is home to a wide variety of sporting fields, including junior and senior baseball fields, soccer and football fields, and tennis courts. A children's playground is also offered, along with a seasonal outdoor pool. After school programming is offered at the park throughout the year, along with special events such as Easter egg hunts and a Movies in the Park summer series.
3309 S. Shields Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, Phone: 312-747-6012
3. Edgebrook Park
Play baseball or enjoy quiet green space on a peaceful weekend retreat.
Edgebrook Park is a sports-focused park in Chicago's Forest Glen neighborhood, originally established as the recess park facility for Edgebrook Elementary School in 1939. Throughout the mid-2oth century, the seven-acre park's facilities were jointly managed by the Chicago Board of Education and the Chicago Park District, and in 1984, five acres of the park were transferred to the city for public park use. Today, the park's baseball fields and spacious green spaces are open to the public for day use. The nearby school's indoor gymnasium is also used throughout the year for instructional sports programming, including basketball, dodgeball, and soccer programs for area youth. A teen and adult wellness program also focuses on activities such as yoga, kickboxing, and other workout methods, and a summer camp offers day camp activities for children ages six to 12.
6525 N. Hiawatha Ave, Chicago, IL 60646, Phone: 773-631-7461
4. Grant Park Beach
Walk along the lake and soak up summer sights on a quick trip.
Grant Park was one of Chicago's first public parks at the time of its development, originally branded as Lake Park in 1847. The park, which is named in honor of United States President Ulysses S. Grant and has been compared to New York City's famed Central Park, is located within Chicago's Loop Community district and is commonly referred to as "Chicago's Front Yard." The 312-acre park is home to iconic features such as the Millennium Park area, which contains Chicago landmarks such as the Cloud Gate sculpture and the interactive digital display Crown Fountain. At Maggie Daley Park, visitors can enjoy a unique seasonal ice skating ribbon and an indoor-outdoor fieldhouse, while at the Petrillo Music Shell, concertgoers can attend internationally-renowned events such as Lollapalooza and the Chicago Jazz Festival. The park's museum campus is home to nationally-recognized museums such as the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Other attractions include the massive Buckingham Fountain, the majestic Congress Plaza, a 1.86-acre skate park, and two pleasure marinas and harbors.
Grant Park Beach, Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60602, Phone: 312-742-3918
5. Haas Park
Climb playgrounds and enjoy exciting rec center fun with kids.
Haas Park is a lovely park in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, named in honor of storied public servant Joseph F. Haas, who served as a state senator at the turn of the 20th century. The park, which was developed around 1928 and transferred to the care of the Chicago Park District in 1959, features a recently-renovated ADA-accessible children's playground, which highlights a clever water play feature throughout the summer months. A 10,244-square-foot fieldhouse at the park has received LEED certification for its environmental sustainability features, offering a half-size gymnasium that is available for basketball and volleyball play and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Other features include a soccer field developed in collaboration with the Manchester City Football Club and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.
2402 N. Washtenaw Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, Phone: 312-742-7552
6. Humboldt Park
Stroll lagoon trails and admire cultural sights on a romantic afternoon escape.
Humboldt Park is a spacious 197-acre park located in the Chicago neighborhood of the same name, which are both named in honor of German naturalist Alexander Von Humboldt, best known for his work Cosmos: Draft of a Physical Description of the World. The park was originally developed in 1869 as part of the city's West Park System along with Garfield and Douglas Parks, though its construction was not completed until 1905. Today, it is home to an historic fieldhouse constructed in 1928, which offers two gymnasiums available for public use, along with a fitness center and community meeting rooms. An inland beach is accessible within the park, along with several historic lagoons accessible via a boathouse. Other amenities include soccer, baseball, and tennis courts and several recently-renovated children's playgrounds. The park's National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, which is housed within the park's historic stable facility, is the United States' only museum exclusively dedicated to Puerto Rican arts and culture. Each year, the park hosts special events such as the Latin Jazz Festival, the Puerto Rican Festival, and an annual Shakespeare in the Park series.
1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60622, Phone: 312-742-7549
7. Lakeshore East Park
Relax in modern green space and enjoy easy access to downtown attractions.
Lakeshore East Park, also known as Park No. 546, is a lovely 4.6-acre park in Chicago's Loop district, serving as the urban oasis centerpiece for the Near East Side community. The newly-developed park was designed by internationally-renowned landscape architect James Burnett and officially dedicated to the City of Chicago in July of 2005. Delightful cascading water elements and stairway terraces frame cultivated gardens, which are populated by hundreds of varieties of native and non-native plants and trees. At night, the park's water elements and grand staircase are illuminated as part of a regular light show. Beautiful green spaces are available for community leisure, including a designated dog-friendly area. Other features include a children's playground and a designated walking path.
450 E. Benton Place, Chicago, IL 60601, Phone: 312-742-3918
8. Lake Shore Park
Play tennis or walk near the lake during an affordable weekend workout.
Lake Shore Park is a popular park spanning 7.08 acres in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, originally planned in 1900 by the Lincoln Park Commission as Chicago Avenue Park. Since 1934, it has been overseen by the Chicago Park District. Today, the park offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational amenities, including a quarter-mile running track with a soft surface to minimize step impact. Tennis courts are available outside at the park, along with a children's playground. Inside the park's fieldhouse facility, visitors can make use of the park's full-sized gymnasium, along with its state-of-the-art fitness center and community meeting rooms, which may be reserved for private special events. Year-round special event programming includes a Movies in the Park summer series, live music performances, and a six-week children's day camp during the summers.
808 N. Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, Phone: 312-742-7891
9. Lincoln Park
Visit the zoo and explore exciting attractions on a fun family trip.
Lincoln Park is one of Chicago's most expansive public parks, stretching 1,208 acres between Streeterville's Ohio Street Beach and Edgewater's Ardmore Avenue. The park, which was honored in 2009 as one of the American Planning Association's Great Public Spaces in America, is located on land that was used as a cemetery facility in the mid-19th century, which was redeveloped in 1860 and named in honor of United States President Abraham Lincoln following his assassination. Today, the park is home to some of Chicago's most iconic attractions, including the world-renowned Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, and the Chicago HIstory Museum. Visitors can take advantage of beachfront access at North Avenue and Oak Street Beaches or use recreational facilities such as the Lincoln Park Archery Range and the Margate Fieldhouse. Five children's playgrounds are also offered, including an interactive water spray playground near Lake Shore Drive.
500-5700 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60614, Phone: 312-742-7726
10. Maggie Daley Park
Climb play towers and enjoy thrilling sights on a summer adventure with kids.
Maggie Daley Park is one of the newest features of Chicago's iconic Grant Park, spanning 20 acres at the site that was formerly home to the Daley Bicentennial Plaza. The park, which is connected to Millennium Park by the BP Pedestrian Bridge, is best known for its unique seasonal ice skating ribbon, which strives to create a multisensory alpine-esque experience for urban skaters. Throughout the summer months, the ribbon is available for use by roller skaters and scooter users. The park's Maggie Daley Fieldhouse is home to summer camp programming and a climbing wall, with community meeting room spaces available for private special event rental. Other attractions include a miniature golf course, a children's playground, tennis courts, and a formally-landscaped garden.
337 E. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60605, Phone: 312-742-3918
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