Washington Park

I found Lorado Taft’s sculpture, ‘Fountain of Time’, by chance years ago when I was exploring Chicago. Every time I visit the city, I always stop here because this monumental work — over 120 feet long — looks like a giant sand sculpture ready to wash away after the next rainstorm. The gradual decay has added to the melodramatic mood of the piece.
In reality, this train of figures — representing 100 years of peace between the United States and Great Britain — passing by an imposing Father Time, was dedicated in 1922 and is built of steel-​reinforced concrete. It probably seemed like a good idea at the time but Taft’s work has resulted in many obvious cracks. Repeated restoration attempts over the years and, frankly, it’s continuing fragility will require a grand restoration re-​think.
Even with the ongoing neglect, Fountain of Time, is an incredible work that deserves much more respect and attention.

I grew up in this park, so to me it’s like home!!! In the late 80s I was a Washington Park Cheerleader for our very own… REDSKINS!!! My siblings and I took dance lessons, gym classes, art classes, volleyball lessons and attended day camp at this park! I can remember family bbqs, family swim night and even some Bud Biliken parade picnics (with no gangbanging or random fights! This park just needs a little rehab attention! I sometimes power walk with my child in our jogging stroller and on the northwest side of the park its a little creepy!!! The Willow trees need to be trimmed and the jogging path is all cracked! They can demolish the old restroom too or at least remodel it! It doesn’t look too safe! Overall I feel safe in Washington Park, it brings back many memories of when I was a kid!!! Like any where we go these days, we should always be aware of our surroundings!!! Happy Unilocaling!!!

Love this park, live right across the street from it and me and my wife go over there for walks every other day and always something. Its always full of live events and concerts. Sometimes its peaceful but sometimes its packed and too overcrowded. All and all a great park

Great park for everyone of all ages to enjoy!!! It is large with plenty of benches… The lagoon is my favorite feature… and I always find peace and quiet when I barbecue here…

So you watch the news and you hear shooting in Washington Park, all your friends say eww, Washington Park… it’s scary over there, I’m pretty sure most of the news you hear about Washington Park is negative. Sure the neighborhood around the park, also known as «Washington Park» could use a bit of a pick me up but the park itself is totally a local secret. Not only are there several baseball diamonds available for local leagues, walking paths, basketball courts, and tennis courts, and space for several neighborhood festivals but there is the south side of Washington Park that I think so many people forget about. You get deep enough in the wooded area here and you’ll forget you’re in the city. You can feed the birds or do a little fishing. My favorite part is the ample space available for my dog to run madly in circles. You can also find other friendly people there to enjoy a bit of tranquility, but of course as in any place in the city you should always take care to be aware of your surroundings.

Love this park. Centrally located a peaceful sanctuary in an urban oasis.

The best in Chicago!

Washingtong Park is peaceful. I have frequented this park for work related activities (haha does that make me sound like I’m turning tricks in the park?) The playground equiptment isn’t new by any means but kids definitely enjoy it. The pond is nice and I have seen a lot of people fishing. Only on one occasion was I a bit scared, haha. There was a pretty heated argument going on between 2 parents over something their kids had done. It was a rather threatening convo but it was something we could easily remove ourselves from so no biggie.
I do wanna check out some of the summer activities. This park is giant and has the space to facilitate some great festivities.
I would like to check out some of the festivals in the summer. This park is giant and has the space to facilitate some really great festivities!

Frederick Law Olmsted (who designed this park as well as NYC’s Central Park) is an f’n genius. When first recruited to design this park in preparation for the Columbian Exposition, he was offended. How can a park be designed on such short notice? In his own words:
«Everywhere the best ornamental grounds that we see are those in which vines and creepers are outwitting the gardner.»
It would take 20 years for the vines and the weeds to grow back. I didn’t see the park back then, but the park now (especially the south end) is gorgeous, from the dilapidated courtyard in front of the active DuSable museum, to the lagoons, to the bird sanctuary. Reputedly (according to one of the major subplots of Devil in the White City) the park was a severe compromise from Olmsted’s vision– I can’t imagine what he had in mind!
The north end of the park hosts some of the city’s greatest festivals, including the Afro-​Carribean Festival of Life (Labor Day) and Ghanafest.
To all the north siders who shun the entire south side because it’s «dangerous,» or unfamiliar or far away… you couldn’t feel more welcome here. Walking through the park on a Sunday afternoon I can almost guarantee that a complete stranger will greet you with a «good afternoon» or a «God bless you.» Does that ever happen on the north side?

I’ve only played basketball here, and the courts are very small

I rode my bike through Washington Park today, this gorgeous day.
I stopped to watch old men playing chess. They looked askance at me. I’m white. They let me watch for a while, anyway.
I saw an older man fishing in the emerald green lagoon, so I rode over to him and asked him if he’d had any bites. He, too, looked at me askance, and said, «no, I’m here for the quiet, not the fish.»
Washington Park is gorgeous. Loredo Taft’s «Fountain of Time» sculpture is at the east end of the park. It’s very powerful, and timeless.