Picture this a tranquil green space nestled in the heart of Washington Heights. This is Fernwood Parkway Park a 7.16 acre haven of peace. It’s more than just grass and trees. It’s a living testament to a community’s history. Fernwood Parkway Park wasn’t always a park.
In 1887 the Village of Fernwood created a wide green parkway. They planted trees and lawn. The next year the parkway extended north. New homes and businesses sprung up around this lovely setting. But life in Fernwood remained simple. There was just a railroad depot a post office and a few small stores. Fernwood was an island. It refused to be annexed to Chicago.
The villagers feared saloons and higher taxes. They called Fernwood the Monaco of Chicago. But their independence came at a cost. They couldn’t afford paved streets or a school. Eventually they reconsidered. In 1891 Fernwood joined Chicago. The city took over Fernwood Parkway.
Early in the 20th century the city’s Special Park Commission improved Fernwood Parkway. They planted more trees and shrubs. They even added a wading lagoon and iron fencing. But the lagoon was later filled in. The park continued under the city’s Bureau of Parks and Recreation until 1957. Then it transferred to the Chicago Park District. The District upgraded the park in the 1960s and 1970s. They re-graded the land replanted and installed new lights.
Today Fernwood Parkway Park remains a place of quiet beauty. It offers a passive greenspace for the community. It’s a place to relax and reflect on the past. It’s a reminder of a small village that became part of a big city. And a reminder that sometimes the best things in life are simple. A reminder of Fernwood Parkway Park’s unique journey. Enjoy this hidden gem of Chicago.