Welcome to La Follette Park!
Welcome to La Follette Park!
La Follette athletic field
La Follette athletic field
The gym at La Follette Park
The gym at La Follette Park
La Follette Indoor Pool
La Follette Indoor Pool
La Follette historic field house
La Follette historic field house
La Follette Park auditorium
La Follette Park auditorium
Location:

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651

Supervisor: Steve Collins
Phone Numbers: Main (773) 287-0541

 

Hours

Park Hours
Day Time slot Comment
Sunday: 6:00 am-11:00 pm
Monday: 6:00 am-11:00 pm
Tuesday: 6:00 am-11:00 pm
Wednesday: 6:00 am-11:00 pm
Thursday: 6:00 am-11:00 pm
Friday: 6:00 am-11:00 pm
Saturday: 6:00 am-11:00 pm
Fieldhouse Hours
Day Time slot Comment
Sunday Closed
Monday 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Description

Located in the Austin community, La Follette Park totals 18.70 acres and features a large fieldhouse with an indoor pool, a gymnasium, a fitness center, an auditorium and two kitchens.

Outside, the park offers basketball courts, baseball fields, tennis courts, an artificial turf athletic field for football or soccer, a pavilion, two playgrounds and an interactive water spray feature. Many of these spaces are available for rental. 

Park-goers visit La Follette to play seasonal sports, go swimming or just enjoy the green space at the facility. After school programs are offered throughout the school year, and in the summer youth attend the Park District’s popular six-week day camp. The La Follette Park Junior Bears Football team holds an impressive record. 

In addition to programs, La Follette Park hosts fun special events throughout the year for the whole family, such as pumpkin patches, gym showcases and other Night Out in the Parks events. 

History

In 1918, renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen envisioned a new type of neighborhood center for Chicago's west side.  He imagined public schools surrounded by naturalistic landscapes with recreational and cultural features for people of all ages. Jensen created a plan to integrate new parkland with Lloyd School in the Austin neighborhood.  The West Park District acquired property for the park in 1919.

Recommending the demolition of the existing school and acquisition of adjacent land, Jensen conceived adjoining school and gymnasium buildings in a beautiful setting with children's gardens, a bird garden, a naturalistic swimming lagoon, prairie-like playfields, and an outdoor theater. The West Park Commission acquired the proposed site, and began negotiating with the Board of Education. Shifting political tides, however, caused Jensen to sever his relationship with the park commission and the plan was never realized.

The site remained unimproved for many years. In 1925, the commissioners received a letter from the West Town Chamber of Commerce stressing the need for park improvements. The following year, the site was officially named La Follette Park after a delegation submitted petitions signed by 100,000 citizens requesting this tribute. Robert M. La Follette (1855-1925), a U.S. Representative, Senator, and three term Wisconsin governor, was nationally known for Progressive reform efforts to better the lives of children, women, farmers, and workers. Nicknamed "Fighting Bob," La Follette was recognized as an exceptional orator who battled against corruption.

In 1927, voters approved a $10 million bond issue allowing the West Park Commission to construct a number of new park buildings and landscape improvements.  The initiative included $600,000 for a fieldhouse in La Follette Park. Designed by architects Michaelsen and Rognstad, the impressive Italian Renaissance Revival-style building, with its large auditorium, two gymnasiums, indoor swimming pool, lobbies, promenade, and gallery, was considered a fitting memorial to the revered La Follette.  La Follette Park became part of the Chicago Park District’s portfolio in 1934 when the 22 park districts were consolidated.

Advisory Council

Parking/Directions

For directions using public transportation visit www.transitchicago.com.

Map & Facilities

La Follette Fieldhouse

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Fitness Center

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Park Pool

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

:
(773) 287-1940

La Follette Auditorium

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Baseball Field

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Basketball Court - Outdoor

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Football/Soccer - Artificial Turf

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Gymnasium

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Playground - NW

1380 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Playground - SE

1320 N. Lavergne Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Running Track

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Tennis Court

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

La Follette Water Playground

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

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La Follette Running Track

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
La Follette Fieldhouse

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
default image
La Follette Tennis Court

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
default image
La Follette Fitness Center

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
default image
La Follette Water Playground

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
La Follette Park Pool
La Follette Park Pool

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

:
(773) 287-1940
Show on Map
La Follette Auditorium

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
default image
La Follette Baseball Field

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
default image
La Follette Basketball Court - Outdoor

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
default image
La Follette Football/Soccer - Artificial Turf

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
La Follette Gymnasium

1333 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
Lafollette Playground - NW
La Follette Playground - NW

1380 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map
default image
La Follette Playground - SE

1320 N. Lavergne Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
United States

Show on Map