Simons (Almira) Park

Park Details

Main Address

1640 N. Drake Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
United States

  • Tel: (312) 742-7548 | Main
Park Supervisor
Monique Young-Johnson
Park Hours
Open
| 6:00 am-11:00 pm

Simons (Almira) Park

Description

Located in the Humboldt Park community (mid-way between Kedzie and Pulaski Avenues, just one-half block north of North Avenue), Simons Park sits on 1.18 acres.The fieldhouse is equipped with a gymnasium, an assembly hall (with stage), a kitchen, and clubrooms for rental.Outside, the park has a basketball court, a volleyball court, boxing gym, plus a playground with a spray feature.

For recreation, Simons Park offers badminton, basketball, boxing, NERF football, seasonal sports, and soccer—as well as our popular six-week summer camp. On the cultural side, the park offers (oil) painting and arts & crafts. To increase socialization skills and make new friendships, there’s Teen Leadership Club, Go Girl Go, plus Table Fun & Games. The park is filled with awards banners trophies for winning citywide events in boys’ soccer, floor hockey, volleyball, and wrestling.

Simons Park is also host to the Seed of Abraham Children’s Outreach Program, which offers self-esteem and confidence building activities. This partner also provides the park with annual health fairs, which provide kids with school supplies and a school health exam, as well as Say No to Violence back-to-school rallies. In addition to programs, Simons Park hosts the annual citywide boxing show, and the monthly neighborhood CAPS meeting.

History

The Fullerton Avenue Business Men's Association had proposed creation of a neighborhood park in 1916, but no action was taken until after the war. The area's Northwest Park District made its first purchase of land for the park in 1920.  The Northwest Park District continued to acquire land for the park throughout 1920 and completed the park’s expansion in 1928.  That same year, the Northwest Park District constructed a red-brick, Second Empire-style fieldhouse designed by nationally-known architect W.W. Alschlager.  In 1934, the park became part of the Chicago Park District’s portfolio when the Northwest Park District and 21 other park commissions were consolidated into the Chicago Park District.  The fieldhouse, similar to Alschlager's fieldhouses at nearby Kelvyn and Riis Parks, was remodeled in 1990.

Simons Park honors local resident Almira Simons Winkleman, daughter of early settlers Edward Simons and Laura Sprague Simons. Beginning in 1836, Edward, a northeasterner, and Laura, a former Joliet school teacher, farmed the land now bordered by Armitage, North, Central Park, and Kedzie Avenues. The Simons Park name was suggested by Almira Simons Winkleman's two daughters during the park's development just after World War I.

Additional Information

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

Programs at Simons (Almira) Park

Most programs run from Tuesday, September 08 to Sunday, December 13 Online registration begins August 03, 2026 - 9:00 AM In-person registration begins
Basketball - Open at Simons
Open
Sports - Basketball
18 and up
From September 14, 2026 to November 30, 2026
Each Monday,Wednesday from 6pm to 7:30pm
Except the following dates:
Monday, Oct 12, 2026
Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026
$37.00
Basketball - Open at Simons
Open
Sports - Basketball
At least 13 but less than 17
From September 25, 2026 to December 11, 2026
Each Tuesday from 4:30pm to 6pm
Each Friday from 4:30pm to 5:45pm
$10.00
Boxing at Simons
Instruction
Sports - Boxing
At least 13 but less than 18
From September 8, 2026 to December 11, 2026
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 5pm to 6pm
Except the following dates:
Monday, Oct 12, 2026
Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026
Thursday, Nov 26, 2026
$10.00
Boxing at Simons
Instruction
Sports - Boxing
18 and up
From September 8, 2026 to December 11, 2026
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 6pm to 7:30pm
Except the following dates:
Monday, Oct 12, 2026
Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026
Thursday, Nov 26, 2026
$29.00
Boxing Skills at Simons
Instruction
Sports - Boxing
At least 8 years 6 months but less than 13
From September 9, 2026 to December 11, 2026
Each Monday,Wednesday,Friday from 4pm to 5pm
Except the following dates:
Monday, Oct 12, 2026
Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026
$10.00
Boys Mentoring Program at Simons
Instruction
Educational/Self-Help
At least 13 but less than 17
From September 21, 2026 to December 9, 2026
Each Monday from 3:30pm to 4:15pm
Each Wednesday from 4:30pm to 5:15pm
Except the following dates:
Monday, Oct 12, 2026
Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026
$10.00
Game Room at Simons
Open
Fun & Games
6 and up
From September 8, 2026 to December 10, 2026
Each Tuesday,Thursday from 4pm to 5:30pm
Except the following dates:
Thursday, Nov 26, 2026
$0.00

Most programs run from Monday, June 15 to Sunday, August 09 Online registration begins April 20, 2026 - 9:00 AM In-person registration begins
Boxing Skills at Simons
Instruction
Sports - Boxing
At least 13 but less than 18
From June 15, 2026 to August 17, 2026
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 3pm to 4:30pm
$10.00
Boxing Skills at Simons
Instruction
Sports - Boxing
18 and up
From June 15, 2026 to August 17, 2026
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 4:30pm to 6pm
$30.00