Moore (Maurice) Park

The west side Austin community, developed by Henry W. Austin and annexed to Chicago in 1899, grew dramatically during the first decades of the 20th century.  The Chicago Board of Education acquired land in this community on Avondale Avenue in 1872 and 1904 to build a school.  Some years later the undeveloped property was turned over to the Bureau of Parks and Recreation and a park was established in 1929.

The new park was well-equipped with an oval wading pool, playground equipment, a small recreational building, and a playfield that was flooded in winter for ice skating. In 1947, the bureau enclosed the open wings of the recreational structure, creating a year-round facility.

The Chicago Park District began managing this Board of Education-owned property in 1959. Moore Park was transferred to the Park District in 1991, and the District installed a new soft surface playground shortly thereafter.

Moore Park honors Austin resident Maurice T. Moore (1857-1928). An Irish immigrant, Moore joined the Chicago Police Department in October, 1887, serving for 40 years until his resignation in 1927. After 1901, he was acting captain at various west side police stations. Throughout his career, Moore displayed a keen interest in local children and felt it important that they have a safe place to play. Moore lived just a few blocks from the park, at 5538 West Quincy Street.