Parks and Playlots

West Ridge Nature Park is located along the northwestern edge of Rosehill Cemetery. The 21-acre park was developed into an amazing natural space filled with native plants, boardwalks, and a fishing area. A restored woodland, 4.5-acre pond, and multipurpose trail around the park offer an elevated overlook, wildlife viewing opportunities, nature play space, and more!

Gross Park is 1.56 acres and it is located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. It features four basketball standards, a junior soccer field, and an ADA accessible soft surface playground. Offers soccer and basketball instructional programs, touch football, plus a soccer league for youth. Summer programs include a Play Camp for children.

Mather Park is located in the West Ridge community and shares 14.83 acres with Mather High School where many of the Chicago Park District programs are held. Mather Park offers a great variety of sports including 16” softball, 12” slow pitch softball, basketball, flag football, volleyball, and indoor soccer. Outdoor amenities include baseball, softball , football and soccer fields, four basketball standards, five tennis courts, a playground, sandbox and four horseshoe pits. Meeting in the natatorium are the junior lifeguards, life guarding classes, swim team, open swim, and lap swim.

With 88.93 acres of parkland, Warren Park is the North Region’s largest park featuring a number of special attractions for every season of the year. It offers youth sports programs for children and teens, walking, jogging, and biking paths, a nine-hole golf-course, and an ice skating rink during the winter.

Green Briar Park, located on West Peterson Avenue just east of California Avenue, serves West Ridge community residents with a number of athletic programs and unique recreational activities, ranging from various music classes to jewelry making. The historic fieldhouse features a gymnasium on the first floor and an auditorium on the second floor, which is available for rental for private events and parties. As part of its after-school Park Kids program, Green Briar Park is 4.03 acres and it offers homework time coupled with recreational activities aimed at physical fitness and health. Outdoors, Green Briar Park features two basketball standards, two junior baseball fields, a tennis court, volleyball court, playground and spray pool. Summer day camps are also offered.

Located at the convergence of the Chicago River and canal, River Park is 28.81 acres that offers a rich wildlife habitat, excellent fishing and a canoe launch. Amenities include a swimming pool and an interactive water playground in summer months, artificial turf soccer field and running track, as well as a soft-surface playground. The park also features seven tennis courts and two baseball fields. Programs for all ages including a strong Park Kids after-school program.

River Park Boathouse, located west of the river is home to the Chicago RiverLab, and the Chicago Park District’s family paddling programs.

Winnemac Park, part of the school-park campus program, encompasses 22.38 acres, including land owned by both the Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Park District. Bounded by Damen, Foster, Leavitt and Argyle, Winnemac Park offers programming and program registration in Amundsen High School, Chappell Elementary School and Winnemac Stadium. This park features an accessible playground for the community, a scenic prairie garden and nature trail, three softball fields, a soccer field and new walkways. Youth programs include seasonal sports. Swimming programs associated with Winnemac Park are held within Amundsen High School’s pool.

Located in the middle of the Ravenswood Manor community, the park is 0.83 acres and it is the crown jewel of the neighborhood! Over the years, the park has become the place for families and neighbors to gather. Whether enjoying a summer concert in the park or just hanging out with the kids in the playground, the community embraces its gem of a park.

Located in the West Ridge community (at the corner of Granville and Ridge Avenues), this 2.60 acre park contains a small fieldhouse with a kitchen, a playground with sandbox and spray pool, two tennis courts and two basketball standards. Seasonal program include Park Kids after school program and sports programs for youth in the fall and a day camp during summer. Additionally, Emmerson Park serves as host to the neighborhood’s bi-monthly CAPS meetings.

Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood (two blocks south of Lawrence Avenue, and seven blocks west of Lincoln Avenue), Jacob Park is 0.89 acres and it features a playground with slides and swings, and a sandbox. There is no structured programming at this location.

Located in the Edgewater neighborhood (at the intersection of Ashland and Bryn Mawr avenues) this small park is 0.28 acres and it features a new soft surface playground. There is no structured programming taking place at this location.

This tiny playground is 0.28 acres and it is located in the West Ridge community (one block east of Western Avenue, 1 ½ blocks north of Peterson Avenue). The park district is working with local mosaic artist Cynthia Weiss to develop a commemorative gate for Korczak Park. There is no structured programming taking place at this location.

Chicago Park District Permits

The Chicago Park District offers numerous indoor and outdoor spaces to host your next athletic event, picnic, festival, film or photo session, or private event. Permits may be required for events, find out more about event rentals and permits at Chicago parks.