Smith (Joseph Higgins) Park

Park Details

Main Address

2526 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60612
United States

  • Tel: (312) 742-7534 | Main
Park Supervisor
Joe Benson
Park Hours
Open
| 6:00 am-11:00 pm

Smith (Joseph Higgins) Park

Description

Located in the West Town Community, Smith Park totals 10.20 acres and features a field house with a gymnasium, kitchen and meeting rooms. Outside, the park offers a children’s soft surface a playground, a water spray feature, a swimming pool, baseball fields and an athletic field for football or soccer. In addition, Smith Park has Tennis & Pickleball courts.  Many of these spaces are available for rental. 

Park-goers can play seasonal sports at the facility or bring the children for tots programming. After school programs are offered throughout the school year, and in the summer youth attend the Park District’s popular six-week day camp.  In addition to programs, Smith Park hosts fun special events throughout the year for the whole family, such Movies in the Park and other Night Out in the Parks special events. 

History

In 1929, when a large city dump in the West Town neighborhood had been completely filled, the Bureau of Sanitation transferred part of the site to the Bureau of Parks and Recreation.

Although it had been named, the park had few improvements until the late 1930s, when the City installed playground equipment, constructed a small brick recreation building, and created an athletic field that was flooded in winter for ice skating. By the late 1950s, a World War II tank and artillery piece had been placed in the park.

In 1957, the City of Chicago transferred Smith Park to the Chicago Park District, along with more than 200 other properties, pursuant to the Chicago Park and City Exchange of Functions Act. After making initial improvements, the Park District added a spraypool, swimming pool, and bath house in the late 1960s. In 1979, a large modern fieldhouse was constructed in Smith Park. Nine years later, the Park District dedicated its gymnasium to Tommy Positano, a high school student who had been active at the park, and who received a Junior Citizenship Award posthumously.

The City named it the Smith Athletic Field for Joseph Higgins Smith, alderman of the surrounding 32nd ward from 1914 to 1933. (At the time, the City regularly named parks for standing aldermen of the wards in which the sites were located.)

Additional Information

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

Contact: David Ramos, President

Contact Email: dramos8569@sbcglobal.net

Contact Phone: (312) 388-2980

Meetings: Bi-Monthly,1st Tuesday every other month at 6pm

Website: Smith Park Advisory Council website

Facilities at Smith (Joseph Higgins) Park

11 facilities

Programs at Smith (Joseph Higgins) Park

Most programs run from Monday, June 16 to Sunday, August 10 Online registration beings In-person registration begins
Day Camp at Smith
Camp
General Interest
At least 6 but less than 13
From June 23, 2025 to August 1, 2025
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 9am to 3pm
Except the following dates:
Friday, Jul 4, 2025
$370.00
Rec Leader in Training at Smith
Camp
Special Interest
At least 13 but less than 16
From June 23, 2025 to August 1, 2025
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 9am to 3pm
Except the following dates:
Friday, Jul 4, 2025
$0.00
Teen Leadership Camp at Smith
Camp
General Interest
At least 13 but less than 16
From June 23, 2025 to August 1, 2025
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 10am to 4pm
Except the following dates:
Friday, Jul 4, 2025
$368.00

Events at Smith (Joseph Higgins) Park

3 Events