1700 S. Wentworth Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
Ping Tom Memorial Park's 17-acre site was originally a Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad yard located along the edge of the South Branch of the Chicago River in the Armour Square Community. In 1998, the Chicago Park District began transforming the old railyard into a beautiful rolling green space, taking full advantage of the impressive river views. Today, Ping Tom Memorial Park holds a children's playground, community gathering areas and Chinese landscape design elements.
The park's fieldhouse, named in honor of the late Advisory Council President Leonard Louie, was completed in October 2013. The facility offers a multi-purpose gymnasium, a 9 feet-deep, zero-depth entry indoor swimming pool, two meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, men's, women and family locker rooms, a second story outdoor patio with skyline views, a green rooftop, and a full service kitchen.
Outside, the park offers an athletic field, walking paths by the river, and a boat house, which is open for kayak rentals during the summer season. The boathouse includes a public dock that is available for use by non-motorized boats during park hours. Restrooms are also available to the public when the boathouse vendor is operating. Outside facilities also include a children's playground and a pagoda-style pavilion.
Patrons enjoy visiting Ping Tom for fitness classes, indoor swimming and seasonal sports. The park is a popular destination for special events and many of its spaces are available for rental. Park goers also come to Ping Tom Park to enjoy Night Out in the Parks special events such as concerts and dance performances on the lawn, Shakespeare in the Park, Movies in the Park screenings, and much more.
The Chicago Park District acquired the site for Ping Tom Memorial Park in 1991. For years, its surrounding Chinatown community had suffered a total lack of open space and recreational facilities. The only nearby parks, Hardin Square and Stanford Park, had been demolished 30 years earlier to make way for the Dan Ryan Expressway. Two full generations of children in Chinatown grew up without access to a neighborhood park or any recreational area.
Ping Tom Memorial Park's 12-acre site was originally a Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad yard located along the edge of the South Branch of the Chicago River. In 1998, the Chicago Park District began transforming the old rail-yard into a beautiful rolling green space, taking full advantage of impressive river views. The park has a children's playground, community gathering areas, and Chinese landscape design elements.
The park was named in honor of the leading force behind its creation, Chinatown's most noted civic leader, Ping Tom (1935-1995). A lifelong resident of Chinatown, Ping Tom formed the Chinese American Development Corporation in 1984. The private real estate firm transformed a 32-acre rail yard site into Chinatown Square, a $100 million dollar residential and commercial expansion of Chinatown.
Active in numerous prominent civic and cultural institutions, Ping Tom was also an advisor to U.S. senators, Illinois governors, and Chicago mayors. In 2002, the Chicago Park District acquired 5 additional acres on the northeast side of the park. Landscape improvements to the expanded area of Ping Tom Memorial Park will soon follow.
For directions using public transportation visit www.transitchicago.com.
First Wednesday on even months at 6:30 p.m.
Registration dates vary by park. The dates listed below are specific to this park.
Most programs run from Monday, June 18 to Sunday, August 26.
Online registration begins Tuesday, April 24.
In-person registration begins Saturday, April 28.
Click on a program name below for description, availability and to add to your wish list or register online (if available). For activities that have already begun, registration is ongoing while spots are available.
| Name | Number | Type | Category | Ages | Gender | Dates | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Swim at Ping Tom | 232960 | Open | Open | 18 and up | Coed | Jun 23, 2018 to Aug 25, 2018 Each Sat 3pm to 4pm |
Free(Standard charge) |
| Aquatic Exercise II - Low Impact at Ping Tom | 233063 | Instruction | Fitness | 18 and up | Coed | Jun 19, 2018 to Aug 21, 2018 Each Tue 9am to 10am |
$30.00 (Resident) $60.00 (Non-resident) |
| Aquatic Exercise II - Low Impact at Ping Tom | 233064 | Instruction | Fitness | 18 and up | Coed | Jun 21, 2018 to Aug 23, 2018 Each Thu 9am to 10am |
$30.00 (Resident) $60.00 (Non-resident) |
| Aquatic Exercise II - Low Impact at Ping Tom | 233065 | Instruction | Fitness | 60 and up | Coed | Jun 18, 2018 to Aug 20, 2018 Each Mon 9am to 10am |
Free(Standard charge) |
| Aquatic Exercise II - Low Impact at Ping Tom | 233066 | Instruction | Fitness | 60 and up | Coed | Jun 20, 2018 to Aug 22, 2018 Each Wed 9am to 10am |
Free(Standard charge) |
| Aquatic Exercise II - Low Impact at Ping Tom | 233067 | Instruction | Fitness | 60 and up | Coed | Jun 22, 2018 to Aug 24, 2018 Each Fri 9am to 10am |
Free(Standard charge) |
| Badminton - Open at Ping Tom | 233131 | Open | Badminton | 18 and up | Coed | Jun 20, 2018 to Aug 22, 2018 Each Wed 6pm to 8pm |
$24.00 (Resident) $48.00 (Non-resident) |
| Basketball - Open at Ping Tom | 233211 | Open | Basketball | At least 6 but less than 12 | Coed | Jun 19, 2018 to Aug 21, 2018 Each Tue 6:30pm to 8pm |
Free(Standard charge) |
| Basketball - Open at Ping Tom | 233212 | Open | Basketball | At least 3 but less than 12 | Coed | Jun 24, 2018 to Aug 26, 2018 Each Sun Noon to 1pm |
Free(Standard charge) |
| Basketball - Open at Ping Tom | 233213 | Open | Basketball | At least 3 but less than 12 | Coed | Jun 23, 2018 to Aug 25, 2018 Each Sat 1:30pm to 3:30pm |
Free(Standard charge) |
| Basketball - Open at Ping Tom | 233214 | Open | Basketball | At least 13 but less than 18 | Coed | Jun 23, 2018 to Aug 25, 2018 Each Sat Noon to 1pm |
$22.00 (Resident) $44.00 (Non-resident) |
| Basketball - Open at Ping Tom | 233215 | Open | Basketball | 18 and up | Coed | Jun 18, 2018 to Aug 23, 2018 Each Mon 6:30pm to 8:30pm Each Thu 6:30pm to 8:30pm |
$45.00 (Resident) $90.00 (Non-resident) |
| Basketball - Open at Ping Tom | 233216 | Open | Basketball | 25 and up | Male | Jun 24, 2018 to Aug 26, 2018 Each Sun 9am to 11am |
$27.00 (Resident) $54.00 (Non-resident) |
| Basketball at Ping Tom | 233252 | Instruction | Basketball | At least 13 but less than 18 | Coed | Jun 24, 2018 to Aug 26, 2018 Each Sun 2pm to 4pm |
Free(Standard charge) |
| CPD Swim Club at Ping Tom | 233409 | Instruction | Specialized | At least 6 but less than 18 | Coed | From June 18, 2018 to August 24, 2018 Each Monday from 5pm to 6:30pm Each Tuesday from 5pm to 6:30pm Each Wednesday from 5pm to 6:30pm Each Thursday from 5pm to 6:30pm Each Friday from 5pm to 6:30pm |
$35.00 - $70.00 |
| Day Camp at Ping Tom | 233539 | Camp | General Interest | At least 6 but less than 13 | Coed | Jun 25, 2018 to Aug 3, 2018 Each Mon 10am to 4pm Each Tue 10am to 4pm Each Wed 10am to 4pm Each Thu 10am to 4pm Each Fri 10am to 4pm |
$425.00 (Resident) $850.00 (Non-resident) |
| Early Bird Camp at Ping Tom | 233655 | Camp | General Interest | At least 6 but less than 13 | Coed | Jun 25, 2018 to Aug 3, 2018 Each Mon 8am to 10am Each Tue 8am to 10am Each Wed 8am to 10am Each Thu 8am to 10am Each Fri 8am to 10am |
$114.00 (Resident) $228.00 (Non-resident) |
| Extended Camp at Ping Tom | 233740 | Camp | General Interest | At least 6 but less than 13 | Coed | Jun 25, 2018 to Aug 3, 2018 Each Mon 4pm to 6pm Each Tue 4pm to 6pm Each Wed 4pm to 6pm Each Thu 4pm to 6pm Each Fri 4pm to 6pm |
$114.00 (Resident) $228.00 (Non-resident) |
| Family Swim at Ping Tom | 233804 | Open | Open | Any | Coed | Jun 23, 2018 to Aug 26, 2018 Each Sun 2pm to 3pm Each Sat 1pm to 2pm |
Free(Standard charge) |
| Lap Swim at Ping Tom | 233975 | Open | Open | 13 and up | Coed | Jun 18, 2018 to Sep 3, 2018 Each Sun 3pm to 4pm Each Sun 9am to 10am Each Mon 8am to 9am Each Tue 8am to 9am Each Wed 8am to 9am Each Thu 8am to 9am Each Fri 8am to 9am Each Sat 9am to 10am |
$40.00 (Resident) $80.00 (Non-resident) |
| Late Summer Camp at Ping Tom | 234010 | Camp | General Interest | At least 6 but less than 15 | Coed | Aug 6, 2018 to Aug 10, 2018 Each Mon 9am to 4pm Each Tue 9am to 4pm Each Wed 9am to 4pm Each Thu 9am to 4pm Each Fri 9am to 4pm |
$114.00 (Resident) $228.00 (Non-resident) |
| Late Summer Camp at Ping Tom | 234011 | Camp | General Interest | At least 6 but less than 15 | Coed | Aug 13, 2018 to Aug 17, 2018 Each Mon 9am to 4pm Each Tue 9am to 4pm Each Wed 9am to 4pm Each Thu 9am to 4pm Each Fri 9am to 4pm |
$114.00 (Resident) $228.00 (Non-resident) |
| Leadership Camp at Ping Tom | 234055 | Camp | General Interest | At least 13 but less than 15 | Coed | Jun 25, 2018 to Aug 3, 2018 Each Mon 9am to 5pm Each Tue 9am to 5pm Each Wed 9am to 5pm Each Thu 9am to 5pm Each Fri 9am to 5pm |
$105.00 (Resident) $210.00 (Non-resident) |
| Learn to Swim at Ping Tom | 234195 | Instruction | Lessons | At least 6 but less than 13 | Coed | Jun 18, 2018 to Aug 20, 2018 Each Mon 3pm to 4pm |
$34.00 (Resident) $68.00 (Non-resident) |
| Learn to Swim at Ping Tom | 234196 | Instruction | Lessons | At least 6 but less than 13 | Coed | Jun 19, 2018 to Aug 21, 2018 Each Tue 3pm to 4pm |
$34.00 (Resident) $68.00 (Non-resident) |
| Learn to Swim at Ping Tom | 234197 | Instruction | Lessons | At least 6 but less than 13 | Coed | Jun 20, 2018 to Aug 22, 2018 Each Wed 3pm to 4pm |
$34.00 (Resident) $68.00 (Non-resident) |
| Learn to Swim at Ping Tom | 234198 | Instruction | Lessons | At least 6 but less than 13 | Coed | Jun 21, 2018 to Aug 23, 2018 Each Thu 3pm to 4pm |
$34.00 (Resident) $68.00 (Non-resident) |
| Learn to Swim at Ping Tom | 234199 | Instruction | Lessons | At least 6 but less than 13 | Coed | Jun 22, 2018 to Aug 24, 2018 Each Fri 3pm to 4pm |
$34.00 (Resident) $68.00 (Non-resident) |
| Learn to Swim at Ping Tom | 234200 | Instruction | Lessons | At least 6 but less than 13 | Coed | Jun 23, 2018 to Aug 25, 2018 Each Sat 11am to Noon |
$34.00 (Resident) $68.00 (Non-resident) |
| Learn to Swim at Ping Tom | 234201 | Instruction | Lessons | At least 6 but less than 13 | Coed | Jun 23, 2018 to Aug 25, 2018 Each Sat Noon to 1pm |
$34.00 (Resident) $68.00 (Non-resident) |
| Open Swim at Ping Tom | 234348 | Open | Open | Any | Coed | Jun 16, 2018 to Aug 18, 2018 Each Sun 11am to 1pm Each Tue 7pm to 8pm Each Thu 7pm to 8pm Each Sat 2pm to 3pm |
Free(Standard charge) |
| Parent and Tot Swim at Ping Tom | 234383 | Open | Open | Less than 6 | Coed | Jun 16, 2018 to Aug 18, 2018 Each Sat 10am to 11am |
Free(Standard charge) |
| TEAM Sports at Ping Tom | 234798 | Instruction | Specialized | At least 6 but less than 18 | Coed | Jun 18, 2018 to Sep 3, 2018 Each Mon 4pm to 5pm Each Tue 4pm to 5pm Each Wed 4pm to 5pm Each Thu 4pm to 5pm Each Fri 4pm to 5pm |
$35.00 (Resident) $70.00 (Non-resident) |
| Volleyball - Open at Ping Tom | 235090 | Open | Volleyball | 18 and up | Coed | Jun 22, 2018 to Aug 24, 2018 Each Fri 6:30pm to 8:30pm |
$67.00 (Resident) $134.00 (Non-resident) |
