We only get so many summer days here in Chicago. Don't waste them!
Chicago's North Side is filled with an abundance of parks offering a lush, green getaway from the urban sites and sounds. We’ve all been cooped up enough in 2020. While the weather is nice, make the most of this Chicago summer and get outside!
The West Ridge neighborhood, just west of Rogers Park, is particularly park-filled, making it a fun destination for the family. Most Chicago Parks Districts parks have reopened to the public, however, it’s important to keep in mind that social distancing practices are still very much in place and park facilities like bathrooms and playgrounds are still closed to prevent a further spread of COVID-19. Just stay safe and smart and we can all enjoy the beautiful outdoors!
Do312 is introducing a new neighborhood series to help the people we care about most: YOU and all of our favorite local businesses that make up Chicago's incredible culture!
We know present times aren’t easy to navigate. Do we venture out or do we stay inside? So long as you’re doing it safely, we say do it! With that in mind, use these neighborhood guides to find all of the unique ways you can celebrate and support local communities. Take it a step further and be a tourist in your hometown by venturing out to another neighborhood on our list.
7345 N. Washtenaw Ave.
Have you been itching to get the baseball gloves out? Team sports may not be an option this summer, but Rogers Park is a wide-open space with plenty of room to toss a baseball, football, frisbee—whatever your kids prefer—around. It’s one of the largest parks in West Ridge at 20+ acres, so you’ll have plenty of room to distance appropriately.
7000 N. Sacramento Ave.
Lerner Park may not offer the wildest topography of any Chicago park, but it’s got everything you need in an outdoor space: over eight acres of open land to run around on, plenty of shade for picnics and reading and a quiet neighborhood setting away from highways and busy intersections. There's also a soccer field, tennis court and playground for the kids.
Photo via Facebook/Indian Boundary Cultural Center
2500 W. Lunt Ave.
Indian Boundary is one of the neighborhood’s most popular and scenic parks. It’s dense with trails and greenery. Unfortunately, some of the park’s more unique features like a nature center and playground, remain closed but visitors can still enjoy the beautiful lagoons and community gardens.
6601 N. Western Ave.
West Ridge’s crown jewel is an 89-acre family-friendly oasis. In the winter, Warren Park is best known for its ice skating rink and sledding hill, but in the summer you can enjoy the open fields, various sports fields and courts, paved paths and community garden.
5941 N. Richmond St.
Grab some hot dogs to go from Wolfy’s down the street and take them over to quiet Mather Park for a Chicago-style picnic. A good portion of the park is taken up by sports fields, but there is still plenty of room for kids to run around and burn off some energy at the playground that includes a splash zone!
