Parks and Libraries
The 8th Ward host six Chicago Park District parks and one Chicago Library. For maps and information on each park, please click one of the links below.
Rosenblum Park
Rosenblum Park was one of many parks created as part of a ten-year plan to provide additional recreational space for post-World War II Chicago. For the well-established South Shore neighborhood, the park district chose a three-block site bisected by a railroad right-of-way and occupied by a coal company, a gas station, a ball field, and a number of homes.
Avalon Park
Located in the Avalon community, Avalon Park totals 27.84 acres and features a gymnasium, fitness center, multi-purpose room, and game room. Outside, the park offers picnic groves, a swimming pool, playground, track, volleyball and tennis courts. Many of these spaces are available for rental including our gymnasium, multi-purpose room, and game room.
Jesse Owens Park
Located in the South Calumet community, Owens (Jesse) Park totals 17.23 acres. A newly constructed field house was built in 2009 and features a gymnasium, fitness center, and multi-purpose rooms. Green features of our facility include a G.O. friendly building, nature garden surrounding the park, a rooftop garden and solar panels on the roof. Outside, the park offers four ball diamonds, a multi-purpose field, tennis courts, an Olympic–themed playground, and 5 picnic groves.
Grand Crossing Park
Located in the Greater Grand Crossing community, Grand Crossing Park totals 17.16 acres and features two gymnasiums, fitness center, woodshop and multi-purpose rooms. Outside, the park offers baseball and football fields, basketball and tennis courts, pool, spray pool and playground. Many of these spaces are available for rental including our gymnasiums, fields, and multi-purpose rooms.
Woodhull Park
Located in the South Shore community area, Woodhull Park totals 2.5 acres and features a multi-purpose clubroom. Outside, the park offers a basketball court, running track, soft surface playground, spray pool, and multi-purpose court. Many of these spaces are available for rental including our multi-purpose clubroom.
Gately Park
Located in the Pullman community, Gately Park totals 25.04 acres and features a multi-purpose clubroom. Outside, the park offers a playground, softball/baseball diamonds, basketball courts, and Little League Baseball Stadium. Many of these spaces are available for rental including our ball fields. This park is adjacent to Gately Stadium, a CPS facility.
Avalon Park Library
Located at 81st and Stony Island. Avalon Branch opened March 7, 2006. Architectural features include cathedral ceilings and clerestory windows. The branch features environmentally sustainable construction under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.