Parks and beaches in Chicago

Chicago’s lakefront and neighborhoods offer a diverse array of recreational spaces, ranging from the historic industrial remains at Steelworkers Park to the serene northern shores of Rogers Park. This collection features prominent beaches like Oak Street and Ohio Street, known for open-water swimming, alongside expansive inland sites such as the 580-acre William W. Powers State Recreation Area. Visitors can explore architectural landmarks, community-focused green spaces, and dedicated athletic facilities across the city.

Chicago Parks and Beaches — Map

Leandro Neumann Ciuffo / CC BY 2.0

A

Oak Street Beach

Oak Street Beach is located near Oak Street on 1100 North Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Jabab / Public domain

B

Ohio Street Beach

Fashionable beach and a place to be seen. Its generally shallow water makes for a safe place to train open water swimming.

Katrina Mixson / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Milton Lee Olive Park

Milton Lee Olive Park is a public park in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Designed by Dan Kiley, the park is located west of the James W.

Maureen Leong-Kee / CC BY-SA 2.0

D

William W. Powers State Recreation Area

William W. Powers State Recreation Area is an Illinois state park administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on 580 acres…

E

Calumet Park

Calumet Park is a 198-acre urban park in Chicago, Illinois. Providing access to Lake Michigan from the East Side neighborhood on the city's…

F

Steelworkers Park

Features massive concrete ore walls from the former South Works steel mill and a 30-foot outdoor climbing wall.

G

Nancy Jefferson Park

Named after a local activist, this green space serves the East Garfield Park neighborhood on Chicago's West Side.

H

Leone Beach Park

Features a historic fieldhouse and a kayak launch within the Rogers Park neighborhood.

I

Marion Mahony Griffin Beach Park

Named for the pioneering architect, this lakefront space offers scenic views from the city's northern edge.

J

Fargo Beach Park

A quiet stretch of sand at the end of Fargo Avenue in the Rogers Park community.

K

12th Street Beach

Located on Northerly Island near the Adler Planetarium, this site features a historic stone beach house.

L

Loyola Beach

Known for its nearly two-mile walking trail and a large concrete mural in the East Rogers Park area.

M

Calumet Park Beach

Features a Mediterranean-revival style fieldhouse and views of the South Side's industrial shoreline.

N

Redmond Recreational Complex

A multi-use facility featuring baseball diamonds, a skate park, and a climbing wall.

O

Dodge Field

An athletic field primarily used for youth sports and local recreation.

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