Supera Park

A Bit of History

Located on Racine Avenue in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, you'll come across Supera Park - a cozy 0.42-acre green space that punches well above its weight. This little green space emerged in 1950, during the post-WWII era when Chicago was developing more recreational areas.

The park has seen its fair share of changes over the years, coming under the Chicago Park District's wing in 1957. In 1990, it was renamed to honor Louis Supera, a community-minded local who believed in giving back to the neighborhood he loved.

What You'll Find Here

The heart of Supera Park is its freshly renovated playground with an ADA-compliant rubberized surface that welcomes children of all abilities. The nautical-themed play structures are popular - two boat-like creations complete with ladders, tall masts, sails, and ship bows that inspire imaginative play. It's no wonder locals affectionately call this the "pirate park."

Little ones can also enjoy the swings, dig in the sandbox, or bounce on dolphin and sea horse rockers. The entire play area is enclosed for safety, and those large trees overhead create welcome shade across the rubberized surface - a blessing during Chicago's summer months.

Need a snack break? The park offers several picnic tables (including a perfectly-sized one for toddlers) and comfortable benches. There's also a drinking fountain for those thirsty after all that playing. Despite its modest footprint, this park manages to offer a surprising variety of play elements that make it especially well-suited for younger children.

The Practical Stuff

The layout allows parents and caregivers to easily monitor the playground from the seating areas - a practical feature for families.

The park welcomes visitors daily from 6AM to 11PM. While there aren't restrooms on-site (something to note before bringing potty-training toddlers), the Lincoln Park Library is just a few blocks away if needed. If you're looking for organized activities, you might want to check out nearby Wrightwood Park, as Supera itself doesn't offer formal programming.

Why It Matters

For over 70 years, this little park has been part of the neighborhood. It shows how even small urban spaces can function well as local parks.

Supera Park is particularly popular with families who have toddlers and young children, who benefit from the shade trees and the absence of water features. Despite its small size, it offers plenty for young visitors.