Olympia Park

Nestled within Chicago’s Edison Park community lies Olympia Park. It’s a 9.75-acre haven. The park draws its name from Olympia Avenue, a nod to the ancient Olympic Games’ birthplace in Greece. Olympia Park’s story intertwines with the growth of Edison Park. During the early 20th century, the area blossomed from a small village of 300 to a bustling community of over 5,000. Amidst this expansion, Olympia Park emerged as a vital recreational hub. In 1913, the Edison Park District was formed. Its purpose was to provide leisure opportunities. Twelve years later, they acquired the land that would become Olympia Park. There was a pressing need for an athletic field. The local athletic association eagerly supported the project. They even offered to assist with fundraising. The park district wasted no time. They graded the site, built a baseball field and even a grandstand. The 1934 Great Depression brought significant change. Chicago consolidated its 22 park boards into the Chicago Park District. Under this new management, Olympia Park continued to evolve. By 1940, it boasted a children’s playground, tennis courts, and a multi-purpose athletic field. This field transformed into an ice skating rink during winter. Olympia Park also became famous for its 14 vibrant flower beds. A small recreation building appeared in the 1950s. This building underwent remodeling and expansion around 1970. In 1980, a meeting room within the fieldhouse was dedicated to Fred Norton, a local resident who championed the fieldhouse expansion. Today, Olympia Park continues to serve the community. It offers various programs for all ages. Youth can enjoy basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, and floor hockey within the gymnasium and two club rooms. The park’s outdoor facilities are equally impressive. They have two senior and one junior baseball field, a combination soccer/football field, basketball courts, tennis courts, a playground, and even a water spray feature.