Welcome to Metcalfe Park!
Welcome to Metcalfe Park!
Metcalfe Park Playground
Metcalfe Park Playground
The Chicago Plays! Playground at Metcalfe
The Chicago Plays! Playground at Metcalfe
Location:

4134 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60609

Supervisor: Ivan Simmons (Taylor Park)
Phone Numbers: Main (312) 747-6728

 

Hours

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

Description

Metcalfe Park is located in the Grand Boulevard Community. This active park is 6.73 acres and it offers a playground, softball field, basketball courts, tennis courts, walking path and green space. The playground was renovated in 2016 as part of the Chicago Plays! Program. The community utilizes Metcalfe Park to play sports and host family reunions. 

While there is no structured programming taking place at this location, we invite you to check out our great programs offered at nearby Taylor-Park  for recreation in the gym, fun in the outdoor pool and workout opportunities in the Fitness Center or boxing ring. For athletic permits for Metcalfe, please contact Wentworth Gardens Park. 

 

History

The Grand Boulevard community, once the center of "Bronzeville," Chicago's thriving African-American neighborhood, became overcrowded between the 1920s and the 1950s, and then fell into decline. The lifting of segregated real estate codes allowed residents to move into other, less crowded neighborhoods, leaving Grand Boulevard with vacant homes and businesses. In the 1960s, the government responded with major urban renewal initiatives, including the construction of the Robert Taylor Homes, 28 high-rise Chicago Housing Authority buildings, one of the nation's most densely-concentrated housing projects. To create recreational opportunities for the increased population, the Chicago Park District began efforts to acquire an old coal yard in 1971. After obtaining Community Block Grant funds, the Park District finally acquired the land in 1976. Because it had been used as a dump site for many years, the Park District had to undertake an extensive effort to remove garbage and debris, and to demolish the site's existing structures. Finally, between 1981 and 1983, the land was transformed into a park with a densely-planted landscape, playground equipment, a spray pool, tennis courts, a shelter building, a little league baseball field, a jogging path, and a picnic area.

In 1984, the Park District named the site to honor Ralph Metcalfe (1910-1978), an accomplished African-American athlete and politician from Chicago. Metcalfe won silver medals in track and field in the 1932 and 1936 Olympics, and also shared a gold medal with Jesse Owens in the 400-meter relay in 1936. He went on to become the first African-American to serve on the Illinois State Athletic Commission in 1949. After serving as Democratic Committeeman for the 3rd Ward in 1952, Metcalfe was elected as Alderman in 1955 and Congressman for the 1st District in 1970.

Parking/Directions

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

Map & Facilities

Metcalfe Baseball Fields

4134 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60609
United States

Metcalfe Basketball Courts - Outdoor

4134 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60609
United States

Metcalfe Tennis Courts

4134 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60609
United States

Metcalfe Playground

4134 S State St
Chicago, IL 60609
United States

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Metcalfe Baseball Fields

4134 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60609
United States

Show on Map
default image
Metcalfe Basketball Courts - Outdoor

4134 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60609
United States

Show on Map
default image
Metcalfe Tennis Courts

4134 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60609
United States

Show on Map
Metcalfe Playground
Metcalfe Playground

4134 S State St
Chicago, IL 60609
United States

Show on Map