Palmer Park

Palmer Park is a 40-acre green space on Chicago's South Side with baseball and soccer fields, an aquatic center, tennis courts, and a recreation building. The layout combines outdoor sports areas with an indoor facility that offers gymnasium and meeting spaces.

The park was established in 1904 by the South Park Commission and designed by landscape architects D.H. Burnham and Co. and Olmsted Brothers. This project reflected the era's movement to create public green spaces in rapidly growing cities.

Three murals by James McBurney depicting Native Americans, explorers, and Dutch settlers decorate the park as public art from a Depression-era project. These paintings tell stories about the region and are visible throughout the grounds.

The facility is located at 201 East 111th Street and is accessible by car and public transportation with parking available on-site. Visitors can choose between outdoor sports activities or indoor recreational options depending on weather and interest.

The park takes its name from Potter Palmer, a Chicago businessman who transformed swampland into valuable city development and helped establish early sports fields. His legacy connects the area's urban transformation to its current role as a recreation space.

Location: Chicago

GPS coordinates: 41.69100,-87.61580

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:40