Addams Park Details
Jane Addams Memorial Park
550 E. Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
Official Website: ChicagoParkDistrict.com/parks-facilities/addams-jane-memorial-park
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone Number: (312) 742-7891
Located on the outskirts of Ohio Street Beach, adjacent to the Near North Community and Navy Pier, Jane Addams Park spans 4.31 acres, offering a serene and picturesque environment. The park is named after Jane Addams, the distinguished recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and the visionary behind Hull House. Hull House, situated in a disadvantaged immigrant neighborhood on the Near West Side, was the first settlement house established in the United States.
Between 1914 and 1916, Chicago constructed a municipal pier, which was subsequently repurposed as a naval training facility during World War I. In 1927, it was renamed Navy Pier, and in 1959, the Chicago Park District acquired Navy Pier Park. In 1996, the park was officially designated as Jane Addams Memorial Park, honoring the significant contributions of Jane Addams. Through Hull House, Addams provided invaluable social services and opportunities to the struggling immigrant population in Chicago. She also advocated for legal reform, successfully championing the establishment of the first juvenile court law and the implementation of an eight-hour work day for women.
The park once housed the “Helping Hands” sculpture, a collection of six pieces created to pay homage to Jane Addams. Regrettably, due to acts of vandalism, the sculpture by Louise Bourgeois was relocated and now stands as a monument in the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens.
Features of Jane Addams Memorial Park
While the “Helping Hands” sculpture is no longer present, visitors can explore the Jane Addams Memorial Natural Area within the park, which spans 0.23 acres and features native prairie plantings.
Additionally, visitors can indulge in refreshing Frutalia Italian Ice, available daily from 11am to 5:30pm at a stand within the park. The park offers a splendid view of the lake, and for those seeking an active adventure, bikes can be rented from Divvy or Bike and Roll. It is a favored destination for dog walkers and local residents of Chicago in search of a peaceful and serene moment.
Events at Jane Addams Memorial Park
The park does not currently organize any structured programming or events. However, visitors are encouraged to visit the nearby Lake Shore Park, where they can enjoy an outdoor track and a spacious fitness center.
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