Seward (William) Park

Seward Park Fountain

Seward Park Field House

Dance room at Seward Park

Seward Park Gymnasium

Location:

375 W. Elm St.
Chicago, IL 60610

Supervisor: Lathrese Williams

Phone Numbers: Main (312) 742-7895

Hours

Park Hours

Weekday	Time slot	Comment
Sunday:	6:00 am-10:00 pm
Monday:	6:00 am-10:00 pm
Tuesday:	6:00 am-10:00 pm
Wednesday:	6:00 am-10:00 pm
Thursday:	6:00 am-10:00 pm
Friday:	6:00 am-10:00 pm
Saturday:	6:00 am-10:00 pm

Fieldhouse Hours

Weekday	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	9:00 am-5:00 pm

Description

Located in the Near North Community Area, Seward Park totals 8.79 acres and offers the right mix of athletic programming and family special events.

Individuals and teams frequently rent Seward Park’s two gyms for sports leagues and games, fundraisers, parties, corporate outings and more. Seward Park features two gyms with balconies; men’s & women’s locker rooms; a dance studio; six club/meeting rooms; a boxing ring and room; a playground; two softball/soccer fields; and several outdoor basketball standards.

Seward Park offers numerous programs for different age groups at various times throughout the year, including basketball, boxing, track and field, volleyball, arts & crafts, indoor and outdoor soccer, Cubs Care Rookie Baseball and Bitty Basketball. After school programs are offered throughout the school year, and in the summer youth attend the Park District’s popular six-week day camp. Water enthusiast visit the indoor swimming pool at Stanton Park, just steps away.

In addition to programs, Seward Park hosts fun special events throughout the year for the whole family, such as concerts, Movies in the Park and other Night Out in the Parks events.

History

Completed in 1908, Seward Park was one of the Lincoln Park Commission's first three neighborhood parks. Although the park commission was established in 1869 to manage Lincoln Park and its connecting boulevards, by the turn of the century administrators were concerned about the living conditions in densely-populated neighborhoods within their jurisdiction. Approval of a 1907 bond issue allowed the acquisition of land for Seward and Stanton Parks, along with improvements to Lake Shore Playground, which was already part of the Lincoln Park System. In 1934, the park became part of the Chicago Park District’s portfolio when the Lincoln Park Commission and 21 other park districts were consolidated to form the Chicago Park District. Prairie School architect Dwight H. Perkins designed the Seward Park fieldhouse. An advocate for playgrounds in congested districts and a leader in saving the forest preserves, Perkins served as architect to the Chicago Board of Education during the period in which he also worked for the Lincoln Park Commission. Perkins' fieldhouse included gymnasiums, shower baths, a reading room, club rooms, and an assembly hall equipped with a movable stage and an electric lantern with an attachment for educational moving pictures. The Park District entered a lease with the Chicago Housing Authority to expand the park in 2000.

The Lincoln Park Commissioners decided to name new parks after President Abraham Lincoln's cabinet members. William H. Seward (1801-1872) was the Secretary of State during Lincoln's administration.

Advisory Council

Contact: Veronica Marshall, President

Email: sewardparkchicago@gmail.com

Meeting Details:

2nd Thursday of each month at 6pm

. Please contact the Seward PAC for details.

Parking/Directions

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

Name	Number	Type	Category	Ages	Dates	Fee
Arts & Crafts at Seward	514711	Instruction	Decorative Arts	60 and up	From April 4, 2025 to May 30, 2025 Each Friday from 12pm to 1pm	Free
Badminton at Seward	514737	Instruction	Badminton	At least 9 but less than 15	From April 2, 2025 to May 28, 2025 Each Monday,Wednesday from 3pm to 4pm	$5.00
Boxing Skills at Seward	515083	Instruction	Boxing	At least 6 but less than 13	From April 14, 2025 to May 30, 2025 Each Monday,Wednesday,Friday from 4pm to 6pm	Free
Boxing Skills at Seward	515084	Instruction	Boxing	At least 13 but less than 18	From April 15, 2025 to May 29, 2025 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 4pm to 6pm	Free
Boxing Skills at Seward	515085	Instruction	Boxing	18 and up	From March 31, 2025 to June 6, 2025 Each Monday,Wednesday,Friday from 6pm to 8pm	$10.00
Boxing Skills at Seward	515086	Instruction	Boxing	18 and up	From April 1, 2025 to June 5, 2025 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 6pm to 8pm	$10.00
Chair Exercise at Seward	515161	Instruction	Fitness	60 and up	From April 1, 2025 to May 29, 2025 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 11am to 12pm	Free
Competitive Dance Team at Seward	515214	Instruction	Dance	At least 6 but less than 18	From March 31, 2025 to June 4, 2025 Each Monday,Wednesday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm	$5.00
Fun and Games at Seward	515476	Instruction	Fun & Games	60 and up	From April 4, 2025 to June 6, 2025 Each Friday from 1pm to 2pm	Free
Line Dance at Seward	515804	Instruction	Dance	60 and up	From March 31, 2025 to June 6, 2025 Each Monday,Wednesday,Friday from 11am to 12pm	Free
Pickleball at Seward	516179	Instruction	Pickleball	60 and up	From April 1, 2025 to June 5, 2025 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 12pm to 1pm	Free
Soccer at Seward	516500	Instruction	Soccer	At least 9 but less than 13	From April 1, 2025 to June 5, 2025 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 3pm to 4pm	$5.00
Table Tennis at Seward	516797	Instruction	Table Tennis	At least 8 but less than 15	From April 1, 2025 to June 5, 2025 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 4pm to 5pm	$5.00
Track & Field at Seward	517147	Instruction	Track & Field	At least 6 but less than 15	From March 31, 2025 to June 4, 2025 Each Monday,Wednesday from 4pm to 5pm	Free
Pickleball at Seward	531272	Instruction	Pickleball	18 and up	From March 31, 2025 to June 4, 2025 Each Monday,Wednesday from 1pm to 2pm	$10.00
Moms, Pops & Tots Interaction at Seward	531274	Instruction	Recreation	At least 1 but less than 4	From March 31, 2025 to June 6, 2025 Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 9am to 10am	$10.00
Gym Monkeys at Seward	531275	Instruction	Recreation	At least 3 but less than 5	From March 31, 2025 to June 6, 2025 Each Monday,Wednesday,Friday from 10am to 11am	$10.00
Badminton at Seward	531860	Instruction	Badminton	18 and up	From April 1, 2025 to June 5, 2025 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 1pm to 2pm	$10.00
Fun and Games at Seward	537829	Instruction	Fun & Games	At least 13 but less than 19	From April 4, 2025 to June 6, 2025 Each Friday from 6pm to 8pm	Free
Senior Citizens Club at Seward	516405	Open	Clubs	60 and up	From April 4, 2025 to June 6, 2025 Each Friday from 2:30pm to 3:30pm	Free
Table Games at Seward	516772	Open	Fun & Games	At least 8 but less than 15	From April 4, 2025 to June 6, 2025 Each Friday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm	Free
Teen Club at Seward	516869	Open	Clubs	At least 13 but less than 19	From April 1, 2025 to June 5, 2025 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 6pm to 7:30pm	Free
Walking Club at Seward	517265	Open	Walking	60 and up	From March 31, 2025 to June 4, 2025 Each Monday,Wednesday from 12pm to 1pm	Free
Tot Spot at Seward	531273	Open	Recreation	At least 3 but less than 6	From April 1, 2025 to June 5, 2025 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 10am to 11am	Free
Basketball - Open at Seward	537828	Open	Basketball	At least 13 but less than 19	From March 31, 2025 to June 4, 2025 Each Monday,Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm	Free

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