McFetridge Sports Center at California Park
McFetridge Sports Center
Wheelchair Softball at California Park
Wheelchair Softball at California Park
Location:

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618

Supervisor: Tom McManamon (Clark Park)
Phone Numbers: Main (773) 248-3966
Features: Free Lot Parking, Free Street Parking

 

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 6:00 am-10:00 am
Monday 6:00 am-10:00 am
Tuesday 6:00 am-10:00 am
Wednesday 6:00 am-10:00 am
Thursday 6:00 am-10:00 am
Friday 6:00 am-10:00 am
Saturday 6:00 am-10:00 am

Description

California Park is a 14.80 acre park located on California Avenue between Addison Street and Irving Park Road, just west of the Chicago River.

Housing the Chicago Park District's only indoor ice rink and indoor tennis courts, California Park's McFetridge Sports Center (MSC) offers a unique sports experience for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Full of activity 18 hours a day, seven days a week, MSC welcomes more than 2,000 patrons each week for its year-round competitive and recreational ice skating, hockey and tennis programs, as well as special events.

History

California Park, which takes its name from adjacent California Avenue, is one of six parks created by the River Park District. The River Park District was established in 1917, Northwest Chicago residents formed the River District to provide recreational opportunities along the North Branch of the Chicago River and the North Shore Channel and to prevent commercial encroachments there. Soon after its formation, the River Park District began to purchase more than 13 acres south of Irving Park Road, between California Avenue and the North Shore Channel.  Acquisition of parkland began in 1917 to 1931 as the River Park District acquired land from different property owners.  Although land acquisition dragged on until 1931, development began in 1920, when Leesely Brothers prepared a landscape plan. Improvements were confined largely to plantings until 1927, when the River Park District began construction of an outdoor swimming pool that was, for a time, Illinois's largest. An athletic field, baseball diamonds, and playgrounds followed in 1928, as did a small brick fieldhouse designed by Chicago architect Clarence Hatzfeld.  In 1934, the District was one of 22 independent park systems consolidated into the Chicago Park District.

In the 1970s, the Chicago Park District demolished the original fieldhouse and erected a new changing facility in its place. The Park District also constructed an impressive new indoor sports complex, the first of its kind for the District. The structure contains a year-round ice rink for figure skating and hockey, as well as six tennis courts. This facility was officially designated the McFetridge Sports Complex in 1974 for William L. McFetridge, who served as park district president in 1968, and as vice-president for the preceding 22 years.  In 2017, the park was expanded with additional property adjacent the River. 

Advisory Council

Parking/Directions

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

Map & Facilities

McFetridge Sports Center

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

:
(773) 478-2609

California Basketball Court - Outdoor

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

California Pool

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

:
(773) 478-5408

California Playground

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

California Water Spray Feature

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

California Wheelchair Softball Field

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

California Tennis Court - Outdoor

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

:

California Park Natural Area

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

:
McFetridge Sports Center within California Park
McFetridge Sports Center

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

:
(773) 478-2609
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California Basketball Court - Outdoor

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Show on Map
California Park Pool
California Pool

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

:
(773) 478-5408
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Swings. Chicago Plays! Renovated playground at California Park
California Playground

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

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California Water Spray Feature

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

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California Wheelchair Softball Field

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

Show on Map
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California Tennis Court - Outdoor

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

:
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California Park Natural Area

3843 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
United States

:
Show on Map