News
Date Posted:
Events
Dec
14
Location:
6100 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60639
Supervisor:
Keith Hammerberg
Phone Numbers:
Main
(312) 520-8694
Hours
Park Hours
Description
Located within the Belmont/Cragin community Riis Park totals 57.30 acres and features a field house with a gymnasium and an assembly hall with stage plus other multi-purpose rooms.Outdoors, the park offers a waterpark for the little ones children, a large pool and changing area for everyone, and an ice rink for those who enjoy the winter weather.For those looking to get some exercise take a run/walk around the track plus, you can watch a soccer game on the newly installed artificial soccer field.If tennis or fishing is your game we have 10 courts and a casting pool with pier.
In Fall 2014 the playground area was updated as park of Chicago Plays! playground renovation. The new signature playground features custom equipment, rubberized soft surfacing, large rubberized soft surfacing play mounds, passive water runnel area, water bottle/bucket filler, natural pathways,trees, and shrubs.
When the weather gets nice Riis Park is the community gathering place for families. The park has specified picnic area – available for permitting [see park staff for additional information.]
There is something for everyone at Riis Park. Young park-goers can play basketball, soccer, wrestling, gymnastics, dodge ball, and badminton at the facility.On the cultural side, Riis Park offers arts & crafts, ceramics, acting, and family ceramics. In the summer, youth attend our traditional 6-week day camp…filled with tons of fun.
Adults participate in a range of activities, including co-rec volleyball, basketball, ceramics, and theater [scene study]. Parents gather at Riis Park with their preschoolers for Arts & ABC’s and Tot Spot [we provide the space – you provide the fun].Fun and Games, Play School, Preschool, Story time, are also available for preschool-age residents.
Seniors stay active and healthy by participating in our crazy crafter’s club, ceramics, low impact aerobics, and table fun & games.
In the winter months, Riis Park boasts the Chicago Blackhawks Ice Rink for skating. This winter, the ice rink will operate (weather permitting) from Thanksgiving weekend (Friday) until February. Call (312) 746-5735 for skate fees, times, and rental information. If it gets a little chilly...no worries we have a toasty warming trailer.
We invite you go come out and check out all that Riis Park has to offer!
History
The Northwest Park District acquired property in 1916 to create this park. During this time the playground movement Riis had helped to inspire had in turn fueled park-building across the nation. The park district designed Riis Park to provide a broad range of recreational amenities for its developing middle class neighborhood. The park remained essentially undeveloped until 1928, however, when the park district installed a ski jump and golf course, and commissioned locally-prominent architect Walter W. Alschlager to design a fieldhouse. In 1934, Riis Park became a part of the Chicago Park District’s portfolio after the 22 park districts were consolidated and the Park District used Works Progress Administration funding to further improve the park. Riis Park developed in two distinct halves separated by a steep glacial ridge, a remnant of the shoreline of Lake Chicago. To the east stood the Georgian-revival fieldhouse, surrounded by various other athletic facilities. Respected landscape architect Alfred Caldwell designed the western portion of the park. Caldwell's plan, fully implemented by 1940, incorporated naturalistic plantings; a stone-edged lagoon; shady, enclosed areas; and a broad, sunny meadow.
Teddy Roosevelt once said that Jacob A. Riis came nearer than anyone to being "the ideal American." Riis (1849-1914), a photojournalist and reformer, drew national attention to the plight of the inner-city poor through his expose, How the Other Half Lives. Riis advocated the creation of small playgrounds to provide "breathing spaces" for densely-populated urban neighborhoods. His 1898 speech at Chicago's Hull House inspired local reformers to petition for city playgrounds.
Advisory Council
Contact:
Jose Quiles, President
Email:
riispac@gmail.com
Meeting Details:
1st Tuesday of the month @ 6pm
Due to an abundance of caution Park Advisory Council meetings will be held virtually. Please contact the Riis Park Advisory Council for meeting information.
Map & Facilities
Riis Auditorium & Clubrooms
Riis Park - C&D Souvenirs | Concession
6100 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60639
United States
:
(773) 827-9032
Riis Park - Eloteros Unidos De Riis Park | Concession
6100 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60639
United States
:
(773)474-2383
Riis Playground - Wrightwood
