375 W. Elm St.
Chicago, IL 60610
Hours
Park Hours
Description
Located in the Near North Community Area, Seward Park totals 8.79 acres and offers the right mix of athletic programming and family special events.
Individuals and teams frequently rent Seward Park’s two gyms for sports leagues and games, fundraisers, parties, corporate outings and more. Seward Park features two gyms with balconies; men’s & women’s locker rooms; a dance studio; six club/meeting rooms; a boxing ring and room; a playground; two softball/soccer fields; and several outdoor basketball standards.
Seward Park offers numerous programs for different age groups at various times throughout the year, including basketball, boxing, track and field, volleyball, arts & crafts, indoor and outdoor soccer, Cubs Care Rookie Baseball and Bitty Basketball. After school programs are offered throughout the school year, and in the summer youth attend the Park District’s popular six-week day camp. Water enthusiast visit the indoor swimming pool at Stanton Park, just steps away.
In addition to programs, Seward Park hosts fun special events throughout the year for the whole family, such as concerts, Movies in the Park and other Night Out in the Parks events.
History
Completed in 1908, Seward Park was one of the Lincoln Park Commission's first three neighborhood parks. Although the park commission was established in 1869 to manage Lincoln Park and its connecting boulevards, by the turn of the century administrators were concerned about the living conditions in densely-populated neighborhoods within their jurisdiction. Approval of a 1907 bond issue allowed the acquisition of land for Seward and Stanton Parks, along with improvements to Lake Shore Playground, which was already part of the Lincoln Park System. In 1934, the park became part of the ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµâ€™s portfolio when the Lincoln Park Commission and 21 other park districts were consolidated to form the ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ. Prairie School architect Dwight H. Perkins designed the Seward Park fieldhouse. An advocate for playgrounds in congested districts and a leader in saving the forest preserves, Perkins served as architect to the Chicago Board of Education during the period in which he also worked for the Lincoln Park Commission. Perkins' fieldhouse included gymnasiums, shower baths, a reading room, club rooms, and an assembly hall equipped with a movable stage and an electric lantern with an attachment for educational moving pictures. The Park District entered a lease with the Chicago Housing Authority to expand the park in 2000.
The Lincoln Park Commissioners decided to name new parks after President Abraham Lincoln's cabinet members. William H. Seward (1801-1872) was the Secretary of State during Lincoln's administration.
Advisory Council
2nd Thursday of each month at 6pm
. Please contact the Seward PAC for details.
Parking/Directions
For directions using public transportation visit .
Map & Facilities
I Saw Something Silly in the Park Today | Artwork
Seward Park Mosaic | Artwork
Seward Basketball Court - Outdoor
Seward Park - A&J Hot Dog Stand | Concession
375 W. Elm St.
Chicago, IL 60610
United States