Welles Park

A Piece of Chicago History

Found in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood, Welles Park spans a generous 15.84 acres at the crossroads of Lincoln and Montrose Avenues. Established back in 1910 by the Lincoln Park Commission, this community treasure was named after Gideon Welles, who served as Secretary of the Navy during Abraham Lincoln's presidency from 1861 to 1869.

Beyond its trees and fields, the park holds some fascinating historical footnotes. In the 1920s, Abe Saperstein - who would later go on to create the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters - began his basketball coaching career right here in the Welles Park fieldhouse. Talk about humble beginnings!

What You'll Find Here

The park's modern fieldhouse, which replaced a smaller structure in 1970, is home to an indoor pool that's open year-round. If you're looking to swim laps, join an aqua exercise class, or learn to swim, this well-maintained pool (often praised as one of the cleanest indoor swimming spots around) is available year-round.

Inside the fieldhouse, you'll also discover a gymnasium and a fitness center equipped with various workout machines. The membership rates are pretty reasonable if you're looking to make this your regular fitness spot.

Step outside and you can find several baseball fields where local youth teams play throughout the season, some nice tennis courts, and playgrounds for the little ones. In 2004, the park added a charming green, wrought-iron, European-style gazebo on the west side. Complete with electricity for lights and sound, it's become a lovely venue for summer concerts, storytelling sessions, and performances. The gazebo is also home to Tuesdays at the Gazebo, a summer concert series that has run every year since 1994 - one of the longer-running neighborhood traditions in Lincoln Square and a reliable reason to show up on a Tuesday evening in the warmer months.

The park features both a traditional fenced-in playground and NaturePlace, a crowd-funded, one-acre natural playground near the south entrance stocked with sticks, rocks, logs, and other organic materials for hands-on discovery and building. The concept earned national recognition when the National Recreation and Park Association, in partnership with the Walt Disney Company, awarded it the Meet Me at the Park 2017 Award along with a $20,000 prize. More recently in 2010, an ADA-accessible playground with a soft surface was added, making play time inclusive for children of all abilities.

Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the horseshoe pits - one of only eleven historical pits remaining in Chicago, dating back to 1930 - as well as the bocce ball courts tucked in the southwest corner, soccer fields, volleyball courts, and pickleball courts added in 2024 as part of the Chicago Park District's citywide Pickleball Mania initiative.

Queen of Angels Catholic Church is visible along Sunnyside Avenue

Photo: Warren LeMay (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Green Spaces to Breathe

When you need a moment of calm, the park's prairie field and natural walking trails offer a welcome escape from city life. These peaceful areas make for perfect nature walks right in the middle of Chicago's urban landscape.

Mature trees spread within the park provide generous shade, creating ideal spots for summer picnics or simply relaxing with a good book on a warm afternoon.

Something for Everyone

Welles Park truly functions as a neighborhood living room, offering activities for all ages. For the youngest visitors, there are programs like tot soccer, floor hockey, tumbling, and various play groups to burn off that endless energy.

The park teams up with the local library for special events, and even offers Stroller Strides classes for new parents looking to get fit while keeping their little ones close by.

During Chicago's warmer months, the park transforms with ballgames, picnics, live music, and theater productions, becoming a cultural hub for the entire neighborhood. The park also runs therapeutic recreation programs for adults and children with disabilities, ensuring everyone can enjoy what Welles has to offer.

If you're looking to get active, connect with neighbors, or simply find a peaceful green space in the city, Welles Park offers a variety of options throughout the seasons.