Group of youth enjoying day camp at welles park
Group of campers getting their photo taken at welles park
We love our new Nature Center!
Playground at Welles Park
Welles Park Fitness Center
Tennis courts at Welles Park.
Location:

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

Supervisor: Michelle Baldwin
Phone Numbers: Main (312) 742-7511

 

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 10:30 am-3:00 pm
Monday 7:30 am-10:00 pm
Tuesday 7:30 am-10:00 pm
Wednesday 7:30 am-10:00 pm
Thursday 7:30 am-10:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am-10:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Description

Located in the heart of Lincoln Square at Lincoln and Montrose Avenues sits the 15.84-acre Welles Park, a gathering place for musicians and sports and fitness enthusiasts of all kinds. Many residents enjoy the park’s indoor pool—using it year-round for lap swims, instruction, and aqua exercise. Others visit Welles Park’s fitness center for a workout, while some prefer a leisurely game of horseshoes at the park’s outdoor pits.

The Chicago Park District installed and unveiled a green, wrought-iron, European-style gazebo on the west side of the park as a centerpiece for the Lincoln Square community. Equipped with electricity for lights and sound, the gazebo is used for outdoor concerts, storytelling and other performances.

In Spring 2010 the park district unveiled a new action packed ADA accessible/softsurface playground for community children. On the many fields at Welles Park, one can find baseball, softball, track and field, and football. Preschoolers get involved in tot soccer, floor hockey, tumbling and various play groups, while older children can participate in tumbling, arts & crafts, swimming and many sports. Welles Park also provides activities for adults and children who are developmentally disabled through its therapeutic recreation programs.

History

One of five parks created by the Lincoln Park Commission and named for a member of President Abraham Lincoln's cabinet, Welles Park honors Gideon Welles (1802-1878), Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869. Since the Lincoln Park Commission's formation in 1869, its primary responsibility was to improve and manage Lincoln Park and its connecting boulevards. By 1908, the commissioners were impressed with new neighborhood parks on Chicago's south and west sides, and began efforts to create similar parks on the city's north side. In 1910, the Lincoln Park Commission acquired and transformed an initial 8-acre site into Welles Park. The commissioners began leasing a large property just east of the park in 1922, and several years later it would be purchased to permanently enlarge Welles Park. In 1934, the park became part of the Chicago Park District’s portfolio when the Lincoln Park Commission and 21 other park commissions were consolidated. In 1942, the Park District purchased the leased portion of the park and acquired City-owned land in 1957, pursuant to the Chicago Park and City Exchange of Functions Act.

A small fieldhouse opened in Welles Park in 1915. This was replaced by a modern facility in 1970. In the 1920s, Abe Saperstein (1902-1966) began his career as a basketball coach in the Welles Park fieldhouse. Saperstein soon recruited south side African-American basketball players to play at a Jewish youth center in the Maxwell Street neighborhood. In 1927, he began coaching a semi-professional black basketball team. Known as the Savoy Big Five, because they played twice a week at the south side Savoy Ballroom. Saperstein soon took the team on the road, driving the players in his own Model T Ford. He renamed the team the Harlem Globetrotters to suggest an all-black travelling team. Saperstein encouraged the players to do trick moves with the basketball, and they became the one of the world's most entertaining and well-known basketball teams. In 1971, Abe Saperstein was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame.

Advisory Council

Contact: Aaron Durnbaugh,   President
Meeting Details:

Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of the month Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov @ 7pm

Out of an abundance of caution Park Advisory Council Meetings will be held virtually for the near future. Please contact the Welles PAC for details.

Parking/Directions

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

Free street parking available around the park. Parking is limited; therefore, public transportation is highly encouraged.

Map & Facilities

Welles Water Spray Feature

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Nature Play Space

2333 W Sunnyside Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

:

Creating a New Universe | Artwork

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Park - Pickleball Courts

2333 W SUNNYSIDE AVE
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

:

Welles Clubroom

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Park - Pickleball Courts

2333 W SUNNYSIDE AVE
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

:

Welles Baseball Field

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Fieldhouse

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Fitness Center

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Football/Soccer

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Gazebo

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Gymnasium

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Horseshoe

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Pool

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

:
(312) 742-7515

Welles Picnic Grove

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Playground

2333. W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Sand Volleyball Court

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Welles Tennis Court

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

default image
Welles Picnic Grove

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
default image
Creating a New Universe | Artwork

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
Welles Playground
Welles Playground

2333. W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
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Welles Clubroom

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
default image
Welles Sand Volleyball Court

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
default image
Welles Baseball Field

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
Welles Tennis Court
Welles Tennis Court

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
View of Welles Park Fieldhouse
Welles Fieldhouse

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
Welles Water Spray Feature

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
Welles Fitness Center
Welles Fitness Center

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
Welles Nature Play Space

2333 W Sunnyside Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

:
Show on Map
default image
Welles Football/Soccer

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
default image
Welles Park - Pickleball Courts

2333 W SUNNYSIDE AVE
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

:
Show on Map
View of Welles Park Gazebo
Welles Gazebo

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
default image
Welles Park - Pickleball Courts

2333 W SUNNYSIDE AVE
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

:
Show on Map
default image
Welles Gymnasium

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
Welles Horseshoe
Welles Horseshoe

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Show on Map
Welles Park Pool
Welles Pool

2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

:
(312) 742-7515
Show on Map