Location:
149 W. 73rd St.
Chicago, IL 60621
Supervisor:
Michael Lindsey (Hamilton Park)
Phone Numbers:
Main
(312) 747-6174
Hours
Park Hours
Description
Located in the Englewood community area, Memorial Park is 2.99 acres and it is an ideal location for families to spend a portion of their day relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. This park contains a playground with swings, slides, climbing equipment, along with a basketball court and a baseball/softball field.Park patrons that visit Memorial Park participate in basketball, softball, and other activities.
History
In the mid-1940s, the City of Chicago's Bureau of Parks and Recreation began negotiations to purchase 1.2-acres of an old dairy company to create a small park in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. The City of Chicago began acquiring land for the park in 1944. Opened to the public in 1947, the park included playground equipment, a small brick recreation building, and a playing field that was flooded in the winter for ice skating. The City transferred ownership of Memorial Park to the Chicago Park District along with more than 200 other City properties pursuant to the Chicago Park and City Exchange of Functions Act of 1957. In 1960, the Park District began working with the City's Urban Renewal Department to enlarge the park. The Park District acquired two acres just north and west of Memorial Park from the City of Chicago in 1966. The expansion project included relocating and upgrading the park's playground, installing basketball courts, and enlarging the athletic field, which allowed for junior league baseball and football instruction and practice. In subsequent years, Memorial Park's fieldhouse and playground were improved and rehabilitated.
On June 11, 1949, the City dedicated the site as Memorial Park in honor of the servicemen who fought in World War II. The most destructive war in history, World War II was fought between 1939 and 1945 in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific. Between 35 and 60 million people perished in the war, including 300,000 American servicemen.
Map & Facilities
Memorial Playlot Baseball / Softball Fields
Memorial Playlot Basketball Courts - Outdoor
Memorial Playlot Playground
