Ashmore Park

Tucked away in Chicago’s Forest Glen community, Ashmore Park is a small but significant green space. It’s more than just swings and slides. Ashmore Park holds a piece of Chicago Park District history. This little park, all 0.16 acres of it, began as a vacant lot. In 1970, Forest Glen residents, wanting a place for their children to play, contacted the “Action Line” of the Chicago Today newspaper. They sought support for a new playlot. Their voices were heard. By 1972, the Chicago Park District had earmarked this lot for park development, one of 16 city properties destined to become green spaces. Four years later, using funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Park District officially acquired the land. Ashmore Park quickly came to life. In 1977, playground equipment, an outdoor game table, and various plantings transformed the once empty space. Ashmore Park received its official name in 1986. It honors John V. Ashmore, a dedicated, long-time employee of the Chicago Park District. His colleagues, many of whom worked alongside him at the Montrose Service Yard, suggested the name as a lasting tribute. Just a few years later, in 1989, the park got a makeover with the installation of a new soft-surface playground. This featured a redwood play structure. Today, Ashmore Park, located on Gunnison Street, just north of Lawrence Avenue, offers a quiet respite from the city bustle. Though small, Ashmore Park stands as a testament to community advocacy and a tribute to the unsung heroes who keep our parks thriving. It’s a reminder that even the smallest spaces can have a big impact.