Clarendon Park

Clarendon Community Center Park is located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, situated two blocks east of Sheridan Road, two blocks south of Wilson Avenue, and just west of Lake Shore Drive. The park encompasses 12.64 acres of land, offering a variety of recreational facilities and green spaces for community use.

Originally built in 1916 as the Clarendon Municipal Beach, the site served as a bathing facility with impressive brick buildings, separate locker areas for men and women, and a children's playroom. In the late 1930s, when the Chicago Park District expanded Lincoln Park northward to Foster Avenue, Clarendon's lake frontage was eliminated. Subsequently, the facility was converted into a community center with the addition of gymnasiums, club rooms, a playground, and an athletic field.

The Chicago Park District assumed ownership of the Clarendon Community Center in 1957. Over the years, the park has undergone several renovations and upgrades. A major renovation in 1972 resulted in the removal of some of the building's distinguishing features, such as its tile roof and towers. More recent improvements have focused on making the facilities accessible to people with disabilities and upgrading the ball fields and playground.

The park is undergoing a $13 million renovation project that began in September 2022. The overhaul aims to address the structure's deteriorating condition and includes new accessibility features, a renovated gym and dance studio, outdoor space improvements, and a remodeled lobby. The renovated community center is expected to reopen in spring 2025.

The park offers a wide range of recreational programs for all age groups. These include basketball, cheerleading, football, karate, and seasonal sports for youth, as well as a popular six-week summer day camp. Teens can participate in basketball, seasonal sports, and a Teen Leadership Club during summer. Adult programs include basketball, dodgeball, soccer, and volleyball. The park also hosts special events such as an annual Easter Egg Hunt and outdoor movies.