Union Park

Welcome to Union Park!

Swimming at Union

Concert goers at Union

The playground at Union

Stop by our historic fieldhouse!

Location:

1501 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607

Supervisor: Donte Givan

Phone Numbers: Main (312) 746-5494

Hours

Park Hours

Weekday	Time slot	Comment
Sunday:	6:00 am-11:00 pm
Monday:	6:00 am-11:00 pm
Tuesday:	6:00 am-11:00 pm
Wednesday:	6:00 am-11:00 pm
Thursday:	6:00 am-11:00 pm
Friday:	6:00 am-11:00 pm
Saturday:	6:00 am-11:00 pm

Fieldhouse Hours

Weekday	Time slot	Comment
Sunday	Closed
Monday	9:00 am-7:00 pm
Tuesday	9:00 am-7:00 pm
Wednesday	9:00 am-7:00 pm
Thursday	9:00 am-7:00 pm
Friday	9:00 am-7:00 pm
Saturday	Closed

Description

Located in the Near West Community Area, Union Park totals 13.77 acres and features a fieldhouse and separate building that houses the gymnasium, fitness center and locker rooms. The field house holds a theater room with a stage and meeting rooms. Outside, the park offers tennis courts, baseball fields, a swimming pool, a playground, an athletic field for football or soccer, and basketball courts.

Many of these spaces are available for rental. Park-goers can play seasonal sports at the facility, and the park also offers a community partnership with “Girls in the Game," a mentoring program for girls ages 9-14 years. Afterschool 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, Union Park hosts fun special events throughout the year, including Night Out in the Parks concerts, movie screenings, the Pitchfork Music Festival and other festival events.

History

The City created Union Park in 1853, after residents convinced developers to sell 13 acres of their subdivision at a reduced price. Named in honor of the Federal Union, it was one of the City's most fashionable places.

In 1885, the City transferred control and management of Union Park to the West Park Commission, which made the park its headquarters. Three years later, Jens Jensen, then working as gardener, planted an experimental wildflower garden called the American Garden, marking the beginnings of his venerable naturalistic style.

In the 1910s, African-Americans began moving into the neighborhood. While many other parks were inaccessible to black residents, Union Park became racially integrated.

Between the 1920s and the 1950s, the park became well-known for cultural and social events, and a number of notable musicians performed there. Among them were the noted pioneer of gospel music Thomas A. Dorsey; trumpeter Sunny Cohn; and jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis.

In 1934, the park became part of the Chicago Park District’s portfolio when the West Park Commission and 21 other park districts were consolidated. In 1957, the City transferred ownership of Union Park to the Chicago Park District pursuant to the Chicago Park and City Exchange of Functions Act.

Advisory Council

Contact: David R. Askew, President

Phone: (312) 933-9572

Email: david.r.askew@gmail.com

Meeting Details:

2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Parking/Directions

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

Name	Number	Type	Category	Ages	Dates	Fee
Basketball Camp at Union	502399	Camp	Sports	At least 8 but less than 14	From December 2, 2024 to December 2, 2024 Each Monday from 12pm to 4pm	Free
Arts & Crafts at Union	502198	Instruction	Decorative Arts	At least 3 but less than 6	From September 9, 2024 to November 29, 2024 Each Monday,Friday from 12pm to 12:45pm	$80.00
Badminton at Union	502223	Instruction	Badminton	18 and up	From September 10, 2024 to November 23, 2024 Each Tuesday from 5pm to 7:30pm Each Saturday from 12pm to 3pm	$80.00
Boys Mentoring Program at Union	502565	Instruction	Educational/Self-Help	At least 13 but less than 18	From September 7, 2024 to November 9, 2024 Each Saturday from 2:30pm to 3:30pm	Free
Conditioning at Union	502698	Instruction	Fitness	At least 13 but less than 18	From September 19, 2024 to November 14, 2024 Each Thursday from 6pm to 7pm	Free
Dream Girls Mentoring Program at Union	502822	Instruction	Educational/Self-Help	At least 9 but less than 15	From September 20, 2024 to November 22, 2024 Each Friday from 4pm to 5pm	Free
Boys Inner City Flag Football at Union	503064	Instruction	Football	At least 9 but less than 13	From September 4, 2024 to November 2, 2024 Each Wednesday,Friday from 4pm to 6pm Each Saturday from 10am to 2pm	Free
Kiddie College at Union	503144	Instruction	Recreation	At least 3 but less than 6	From September 10, 2024 to November 27, 2024 Each Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday from 10am to 12:30pm	$181.00
Mighty Fit Kids at Union	503353	Instruction	Fitness	At least 3 but less than 6	From September 11, 2024 to November 27, 2024 Each Wednesday from 12:45pm to 1:45pm	$30.00
Seasonal Sports Club at Union	503947	Instruction	Seasonal Sports	At least 6 but less than 13	From September 17, 2024 to November 19, 2024 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 4pm to 5pm	Free
Seasonal Sports Club at Union	503948	Instruction	Seasonal Sports	At least 13 but less than 18	From September 17, 2024 to November 19, 2024 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 3pm to 5pm	Free
Tiny Talkers - Spanish at Union	504409	Instruction	Educational/Self-Help	At least 3 but less than 7	From September 6, 2024 to November 29, 2024 Each Monday,Friday from 1pm to 1:45pm	$80.00
Tiny Tot Tennis at Union	504506	Instruction	Tennis	At least 3 but less than 6	From September 6, 2024 to November 29, 2024 Each Monday,Friday from 11am to 11:45am	$80.00
Boys Weightlifting at Union	504703	Instruction	Weightlifting	At least 14 but less than 18	From September 17, 2024 to November 7, 2024 Each Tuesday,Thursday from 6pm to 7pm	Free
Basketball Skills at Union	506197	Instruction	Basketball	At least 5 years 7 months but less than 7	From September 14, 2024 to December 7, 2024 Each Saturday from 11am to 11:45am	$32.00
Bitty Basketball at Union	506199	Instruction	Basketball	At least 3 but less than 5 years 7 months	From September 7, 2024 to December 7, 2024 Each Saturday from 10am to 10:45am	$32.00
Floor Hockey at Union	506201	Instruction	Floor Hockey	At least 7 but less than 10	From September 11, 2024 to December 4, 2024 Each Wednesday from 3pm to 4pm	$32.00
Soccer at Union	506203	Instruction	Soccer	At least 3 but less than 6	From September 4, 2024 to December 5, 2024 Each Wednesday,Thursday from 2pm to 3pm Except the following dates: Thursday, Nov 28, 2024	$32.00
Basketball - Open at Union	502342	Open	Basketball	At least 13 but less than 18	From September 6, 2024 to November 23, 2024 Each Friday from 5pm to 7pm Each Saturday from 3:30pm to 5pm	Free
Game Room at Union	502996	Open	Fun & Games	At least 13 but less than 18	From September 17, 2024 to November 22, 2024 Each Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 3pm to 4pm	Free
Pickleball - Open at Union	503723	Open	Pickleball	18 and up	From September 12, 2024 to November 14, 2024 Each Thursday from 5pm to 7pm	$50.00
Walking Club at Union	506206	Open	Walking	30 and up	From September 9, 2024 to December 6, 2024 Each Monday,Wednesday,Friday from 3pm to 4pm	Free
Senior Citizens Club at Union	506208	Open	Clubs	60 and up	From September 12, 2024 to December 5, 2024 Each Thursday from 2pm to 4pm Except the following dates: Thursday, Nov 28, 2024	Free
Fun and Games at Union	518638	Instruction	Fun & Games	At least 3 but less than 6	From September 10, 2024 to November 26, 2024 Each Tuesday from 12:45pm to 1:45pm	$34.00
Tiny Tot Tumbling at Union	518639	Instruction	Tumbling	At least 3 but less than 6	From September 12, 2024 to November 21, 2024 Each Thursday from 12:45pm to 1:45pm	$34.00

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