Isn’t it amazing that Chicago is known as the “City in a Garden?” Since the 1830s Chicago has committed to parkland. Ballard Park is a testament to that commitment.
Chicago devotes a lot of its land to parks. In fact Chicago ranks 13th among high-density population cities. This was in the United States in 2012. Chicago has 570 parks.
Many notable architects have helped design Chicago’s parks. Daniel Burnham contributed to them. Frederick Law Olmsted helped shape them. Jens Jensen left his mark too.
In 1836 Chicago held public auctions for the city’s first lots. Foresighted citizens wanted the lakefront kept as public space. They convinced commissioners to designate two lots as public areas.
The land east of Michigan Avenue became “Public Ground.” It was to remain open and free of buildings. This lot expanded and became Lake Park. It was later renamed Grant Park.
Chicago grew and demand increased for public spaces. The Chicago Common Council did little. Real estate investors realized small public squares could increase property value.
Washington Square Park became the first venture in 1842. Similar projects followed with Goudy Square Park. Then Union Park was established.
In 1860, a section of the City Cemetery became a park. This was due to concerns about public health. The new park was named Lake Park. It was renamed Lincoln Park in 1865. This honored the recently deceased President.
Slowly the graves were moved. This greatly expanded Lincoln Park. Haussmann’s renovation of Paris turned attention to parks. Parks play a role in urban development. William Butler Ogden advocated for a large park on the South Side.
In 1891 J. Frank Foster became superintendent. He advocated for parks in working-class neighborhoods. These parks would have playing fields and field houses. These facilities would provide recreation space. The Olmsted sons designed many neighborhood parks.
The Chicago Park District manages many facilities. It manages 220 facilities in 570 parks. This covers over 7600 acres of land. This network includes lakefront harbors. It also includes beaches, lagoons, pools and playgrounds.
The Chicago Park District holds community events. They hold holiday events. They also hold nature, sports, music, arts, and cultural events. Many feature performances.
Many of Chicago’s park fieldhouses use Georgian or Classical Revival architecture. Clarence Hatzfeld designed many of these fieldhouses.
Portage Park and Jefferson Park are on the National Register of Historic Places. Some parks are official landmarks.
The green space is supplemented by the Cook County Forest Preserves. This contains forests, prairies, wetlands, streams and lakes. They are set aside as natural areas.
Lincoln Park is Chicago’s largest park. It stretches for seven miles. It has parkland, beaches, recreation areas, nature reserves and harbors. You can spend a day viewing museums, gardens and art. Don’t forget the zoo.
Lincoln Park began as a small city cemetery. Victims of cholera and Confederate prisoners were buried here. Citizens protested the health hazards. Dr. John Rauch led the effort. His efforts marked the beginnings of the park movement.
By 1860 the city moved the cemetery. In 1864, the area was renamed Lake Park. The next year it became Lincoln Park. In 1868, New York City donated mute swans. This marked the beginning of the Lincoln Park Zoo.
In 1869, state legislature created three park districts. The goal was a unified park system. The Lincoln Park Commission built Lake Shore Drive. The West Park Commission created Humboldt, Garfield, and Douglas parks. The South Park Commissioners formed Northerly Island and Burnham Park.
In 1934, all park districts experienced setbacks. Voters approved the Park Consolidation Act of 1934. This established the Chicago Park District.
Since forming the Chicago Park District has continued its tradition. It has created innovative programs and stunning landscapes. In the late 1940s, new parks, play areas and beaches were established.
Today Ballard Park and Lincoln Park offer a lot. They are great for people of all ages. Take a stroll or spend the day.