Welcome to Pulaski Park!
Welcome to Pulaski Park!
The pool at Pulaski Park
The pool at Pulaski Park
Free Street Theater at Pulaski Park
Free Street Theater at Pulaski Park
The clubroom at Pulaski
The clubroom at Pulaski
Pulaski Park's historic field house
Pulaski Park's historic field house
Restoring the murals at Pulaski
Restoring the murals at Pulaski
Fall Festival fun at Pulaski
Fall Festival fun at Pulaski
Location:

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60642

Supervisor: James Boldt
Phone Numbers: Main (312) 742-7559

 

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-9:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am-9:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am-9:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am-9:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am-9:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Description

Located in the West Town Community Area, Pulaski Park totals 4.15 acres and features an auditorium, two gymnasiums, a kitchen and meeting rooms. The third floor tower room is used as an office for Free Street Theater, a non-profit organization that provides programming through the Chicago Park District’s Arts Partners in Residence Program. Outside, the park offers a softball diamond, interactive water spray feature and a swimming pool.

Many of these spaces are available for rental. Park-goers can play baseball or go swimming 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

In addition to programs, Pulaski Park hosts fun special events throughout the year for the whole family, such as holiday celebrations, Movies in the Park and other Night Out in the Parks events. 

History

The West Park Commissioners identified a site that was located in West Town — a crowded, predominantly Polish neighborhood of factories and workers' housing for this park. To make way for the park, the West Park Commission had to displace 1,200 people, demolishing some buildings, and moving others to nearby locations in the neighborhood. The acquisition of this land took place from 1911 to 1912 and the streets and alleys within the park boundaries were vacated in 2015. This was part of an effort to expand neighborhood parks throughout the congested west side. Several years earlier, Dvorak, Eckhart and Stanford Parks opened, providing tenement districts with breathing spaces and social services including public bathing, branch libraries, children's playgrounds, athletics and inexpensive hot meals. 

After filling the low site, the contractors began improvements following the plans of renowned landscape designer Jens Jensen. A large field house and outdoor swimming facility were constructed in 1914. Incorporating elements such as tile roofs, half-timbering, a tower, dormers and verandahs, architect William Carbys Zimmerman designed the three-story brick field house to emulate Eastern European architecture familiar to the immigrant community.

In 1919, Jensen met with officials at the Art Institute of Chicago to discuss the idea of a competition for art students to paint a mural on the semi-circular proscenium above the stage in the Pulaski Park field house. The park commissioners provided the prizes of $100, $50 and $25, and instructors at the School of the Art Institute selected the winners. The first prize went to James G. Gilbert, who received $200 for materials as well as the $100 prize. In 1920, Gilbert painted his mural composed of a dramatic series of allegorical figures. A second mural, hidden in the upper tower room, portrays Polish themes.  A Chicago Park District arts and crafts class created this painting in the late 1930s. In 1934, the park became part of the Chicago Park District’s portfolio when the 22 park districts were consolidated. 

The park pays tribute to Casimir Pulaski (c. 1748-1779) a Polish war hero who fought for the American cause in the Revolutionary War. After distinguishing himself in the Battle of Brandywine, Pulaski was appointed by Congress as Brigadier-General. Pulaski died in action at the Battle of Savannah.

Parking/Directions

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

Map & Facilities

Proscenium Arch Mural | Artwork

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60642
United States

Pulaski Auditorium

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Pulaski Fieldhouse

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Pulaski Gymnasium

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Pulaski Park Pool

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

:
(312)742-9918

Pulaski Water Playground

1419 West Blackhawk Street
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Pulaski Baseball Field

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Tower Room Mural | Artwork

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60642
United States

Proscenium Arch Mural
Proscenium Arch Mural | Artwork

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60642
United States

Show on Map
Pulaski Auditorium

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Show on Map
Pulaski Fieldhouse

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Show on Map
Pulaski Gymnasium

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Show on Map
Pulaski Park Pool
Pulaski Park Pool

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

:
(312)742-9918
Show on Map
Pulaski Water Playground

1419 West Blackhawk Street
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Show on Map
default image
Pulaski Baseball Field

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60622
United States

Show on Map
Tower Room Mural
Tower Room Mural | Artwork

1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Chicago, IL 60642
United States

Show on Map