McKinley Park (Chicago park)

McKinley Park
McKinley Park Lagoon
Type	Urban Park
Location	Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Coordinates	41°49′27″N87°40′46″W / 41.82417°N 87.67944°W / 41.82417; -87.67944
Area	71.75 acres (29.04 ha)
Created	June 13, 1902 (1902-06-13)
Operated by	Chicago Park District
Website	https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/mckinley-william-park

McKinley Park is a large (71.75 acre) park in the Chicago Park District located at 2210 W. Pershing Rd Chicago, IL 60609 in the McKinley Park community area on the South Side of Chicago. It is bounded by 37th Street and Archer Avenue on the north, Pershing Road on the south, Damen Avenue on the east and Western Boulevard on the west. It features a large lagoon, outdoor swimming pool, athletic fields, and fieldhouse with a gymnasium, auditorium and club room. The park is part of the Chicago park and boulevard system connecting the city's large parks. McKinley Park is listed as a contributing property under the Chicago Boulevard System Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The park opened in 1902 and is named for President William McKinley (1843–1901), following his assassination. ^[1]

History

The park was planned by the South Park Commission to be first of several large neighborhood parks located near the Union Stock Yards to better serve the residents of the overcrowded and impoverished area around the Stock Yards The site was built upon land previously occupied by the Brighton Park Race Track. The park's name was chosen to honor former President William McKinley only a month after his assassination in September 1901. The park opened to the public on June 13, 1902, in a dedication ceremony attended by over 10,000 people.

William McKinley Monument by Charles Mulligan, 1905.

A memorial statue of President McKinley by sculptor Charles Mulligan was unveiled on Independence Day, 1905 in ceremony attended by over 5,000 people. ^[2] The statue is in the northwest corner of the park at the corner of Archer Avenue and Western Boulevard on the west The park was expanded in 1906 based on heavy patronage and add the lagoon on the east side. The field house was built in 1916 by architect D.H. Burnham & Company ^[3] In 1934, the park became part of the Chicago Park District's portfolio when the independent city park districts were consolidated.

Facilities

McKinley park is home to the McKinley fieldhouse, which includes a gymnasium and gymnastic center, offices and club rooms, as well as an outdoor pool and pool facilities. The park features a seasonal ice rink, an artificial turf field for soccer, multiple baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, a playground, and picnic areas. ^[4] The McKinley Park lagoon is adjacent to a natural area featuring native prarie, savannah, and aquatic plants, creating habitats for local birds and animals. ^{[5] [6]} The lagoon hosts an annual fishing derby, stocked annually by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. ^[7]

In 2019, McKinley Park became the first park in the South Side of Chicago to have a dog park. ^[8]

References

1. "McKinley (William) Park | Chicago Park District". www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
2. "William McKinley Memorial | Chicago Park District". www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
3. "The Chicago Park Boulevard System Historic District National Register of Historic Places Registration Form" (PDF). Illinois Historic Preservation Division . November 15, 2018. pp. 126–130. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
4. "McKinley (William) Park". www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. January 10, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
5. "McKinley Park Natural Area". www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
6. Birders, Chicago BIPOC (October 23, 2024). "Top spots for urban birdwatching from the Chicago BIPOC Birders". Choose Chicago. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
7. "Fishing Derby". mckinleypark.news. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
8. Ward, Joe (August 19, 2019). "Southwest Side's First Dog Park Underway In McKinley Park: 'It Had To Happen'". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved September 18, 2025.