Welcome to historic Columbus Park!
Beautiful natural areas in Columbus Park
The boundless playground at Columbus Park
Adults playing pickleball at Columbus Park outdoor courts
Location:

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644

Supervisor: Sidney Lewis
Phone Numbers: Main (773) 287-7641

 

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 8:00 am-8:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am-8:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am-8:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am-8:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am-8:00 pm
Saturday 9:30 am-6:00 pm

Description

Columbus Park is a 140.65 acre historic park located in the Austin community. The park is considered the masterpiece of landscape architect Jens Jensen and is one of the few parks in the nation to be designated a National Historic Landmark in its entirety. 

The park's fieldhouse features a fitness center, two gymnasiums, three kitchens, several meeting rooms, a senior center and a banquet room. Outside, the park offers a nature area, a bicycle path, a jogging path and a nine-hole golf course. The park also contains multi-faceted recreation opportunities with an outdoor swimming pool, a fishing lagoon, baseball fields, basketball courts, two athletic fields for baseball and football/soccer, plus 4 outdoor pickleball courts, and 4 outdoor tennis courts.

Several historic elements are found on the grounds including a Jensen Council Ring and the beautiful Refectory Building, which sits on the northern end of park and is a popular destination for weddings and special events.

Many of the spaces in Columbus Park are available for rental for parties, athletic tournaments and other events. Patrons are especially fond of renting the photogenic Refectory Building for weddings and other formal parties.

Park patrons visit Columbus Park to enjoy basketball, football or soccer at the facility. The Refectory building is popular for senior events and programming, and the fieldhouse holds after school programs throughout the school year. In the summer, youth attend the Park District’s popular six-week day camp. In addition to programs, Columbus Park hosts fun special events throughout the year for the whole family, such as Movies in the Park, concerts in the Refectory, Chicago Shakespeare Theater productions and other Night Out in the Parks events.

History

Columbus Park is considered the masterpiece of Jens Jensen, now known as dean of Prairie-style landscape architecture. The project, Jensen's only opportunity to create an entirely new large park in Chicago, represents the culmination of years of his conservation efforts and design experimentation.  In 1912 and 1913, the West Park District acquired the land for Columbus Park.  The streets and alleys within the park boundary were vacated for the park in 1916.  Columbus Park became part of the Chicago Park District’s portfolio when the 22 park districts were consolidated in 1934.

Appointed as West Park Commission General Superintendent and Chief Landscape Architect in 1905, Jensen re-designed Humboldt, Garfield, and Douglas Parks and began creating small parks such as Eckhart and Dvorak. After losing political support in 1910, he shifted his role to consulting landscape architect.  The commissioners acquired 144 acres of farmland at the western boundary of Chicago. They named the new park for Christopher Columbus (c. 1451-1506), the famous Italian explorer who "discovered" America while in the service of Spain.

Jensen's vision for Columbus Park was inspired by the unimproved site's natural history and topography. Convinced that it was an ancient beach, Jensen designed a series of berms, like glacial ridges, encircling the flat interior part of the park. In the center area, following the traces of sand dune, he created a "prairie river" flowing from two brooks. Two natural-looking waterfalls, with ledges of stratified stonework, represent the source of the river. Throughout the park, Jensen included native plants.

Jensen also included programming elements emulating nature. Broad prairie-like meadows provide a golf course and ball fields. He designed an outdoor theatre, known as the "player's green," for plays and other performances. In the children's playground area, Jensen included his favorite feature, the council ring, a circular stone bench for storytelling and campfires.

In 1952, the nine acres at the park's southern boundary were acquired by Cook County to make way for the Eisenhower Expressway. Despite the loss of some land and other changes to the park at that time, Columbus Park still conveys Jensen's genius. 

Advisory Council

Parking/Directions

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

Map & Facilities

Columbus Playground - N

5793 W. Adams Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Ships | Artwork

Columbus Refectory

5701 W Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
(773) 256-0159 x 1 |
,
:
(773) 287-0856

Columbus Tennis Court

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Baseball Field - Artificial Turf

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Soccer/ Football Fields - Artificial Turf

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Basketball Courts - Outdoor

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Flock | Artwork

400-452 South Central Avenue
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Clubrooms

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Perch - Preen | Artwork

500 S Central Ave
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:

Columbus Baseball Fields

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Park - Teen Center

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
(773) 287-7641

Columbus Fieldhouse

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Park Spray Feature

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:

Columbus Fishing Area

500 S. Central
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus - Pickleball Courts

500 S. Central
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:

Columbus Fitness Center

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Gymnasium

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Golf Facility

5701 W. Jackson Boulevard. Chicago
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
(866) 223-5564

Columbus Park Natural Area

500 S. Central Park Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Park Pool

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
(773) 287-7641

Columbus Picnic Groves

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Playground - E

350 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Columbus Park - Teen Center

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
(773) 287-7641
Show on Map
Columbus Natural Area
Columbus Park Natural Area

500 S. Central Park Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
default image
Columbus Park Spray Feature

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
Show on Map
default image
Columbus Refectory

5701 W Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
(773) 256-0159 x 1 |
,
:
(773) 287-0856
Show on Map
Columbus Park Pool
Columbus Park Pool

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
(773) 287-7641
Show on Map
Adults playing pickleball at Columbus Park outdoor courts
Columbus - Pickleball Courts

500 S. Central
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
Show on Map
Columbus Baseball Field - Artificial Turf

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
default image
Columbus Picnic Groves

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
default image
Columbus Basketball Courts - Outdoor

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
Columbus Playground - E

350 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
default image
Columbus Clubrooms

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
Columbus Playground - N
Columbus Playground - N

5793 W. Adams Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
default image
Columbus Baseball Fields

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
default image
Columbus Fieldhouse

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Courts at Columbus Park
Columbus Tennis Court

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
Columbus Fishing Area

500 S. Central
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
default image
Columbus Soccer/ Football Fields - Artificial Turf

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
Columbus Fitness Center
Columbus Fitness Center

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
Blue bird sculptures sitting on branches of dead tree
Flock | Artwork

400-452 South Central Avenue
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
default image
Columbus Gymnasium

500 S. Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

Show on Map
Blue carved wood birds perched in a tree.
Perch - Preen | Artwork

500 S Central Ave
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
Show on Map
Columbus Park Golf Facility
Columbus Golf Facility

5701 W. Jackson Boulevard. Chicago
Chicago, IL 60644
United States

:
(866) 223-5564
Show on Map