McKinley Park (Chicago park)
| McKinley Park | |
|---|---|
 McKinley Park Lagoon | |
| Type | Urban Park |
| Location | Chicago, Cook County, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41°49′27″N 87°40′46″W / 41.82417°N 87.67944°W |
| Area | 71.75 acres (29.04 ha) |
| Created | June 13, 1902 |
| Operated by | Chicago Park District |
| Website | https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/mckinley-william-park |
McKinley Park is a large (71.75 acre) park in the Chicago Park District located at 2210 W. Pershing Rd Chicago, IL 60609 in the McKinley Park community area on the South Side of Chicago. It is bounded by 37th Street and Archer Avenue on the north, Pershing Road on the south, Damen Avenue on the east and Western Boulevard on the west. It features a large lagoon, outdoor swimming pool, athletic fields, and fieldhouse with a gymnasium, auditorium and club room. The park is part of the Chicago park and boulevard system connecting the city's large parks. McKinley Park is listed as a contributing property under the Chicago Boulevard System Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The park opened in 1902 and is named for President William McKinley (1843–1901), following his recent assassination. [1]
History
The park was planned by the South Park Commission to be first of several large neighborhood parks located near the Union Stock Yards to better serve the residents of the overcrowded and impoverished area around the Stock Yards The site was built upon land previously occupied by the Brighton Park Race Track. The park's name was chosen to honor former President William McKinley only a month after his assassination in September 1901. The park opened to the public on June 13, 1902 in a dedication ceremony attended by over 10,000 people.
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A memorial statue of President McKinley by sculptor Charles Mulligan was unveiled on Independence Day, 1905 in ceremony attended by over 5,000 people.[2] The statue is in the northwest corner of the park at the corner of Archer Avenue and Western Boulevard on the west The park was expanded in 1906 based on heavy patronage and add the lagoon on the east side. The field house was built in 1916 by architect D.H. Burnham & Company[3] In 1934, the park became part of the Chicago Park District's portfolio when the independent city park districts were consolidated.
References
- ^ "McKinley (William) Park | Chicago Park District". www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- ^ "William McKinley Memorial | Chicago Park District". www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- ^ "The Chicago Park Boulevard System Historic District National Register of Historic Places Registration Form" (PDF). Illinois Historic Preservation Division. November 15, 2018. pp. 126–130. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
