Garfield Park remains the best example of Jenney’s landscape efforts in Chicago. The lagoons and a unique suspension bridge designed by Jenney remain today. Jenney is best known today as the “father of the skyscraper.” His ambitious plans for these three large parks could not be realized all at once, Garfield Park was the earliest developed of these three great original West Side parks, it was developed in stages, beginning with the east lagoon.

Plans for Garfield, Humboldt, and Douglas Parks had been completed ten years earlier, by William Le Baron Jenney. Garfield (1831- 1881) after his assassination in 1881. This was the park name until 1881, when the name was changed to “Garfield Park” to honor President James A. The West Park Commissioners acquired property for the park from 1870-1932. This park was first named Central Park in accordance with a resolution adopted by the West Park Commission in 1869. In 1869, the Illinois state legislature established the West Park Commission, which was responsible for three large parks and interlinking boulevards. In addition to programs, Garfield Park hosts fun special events throughout the year for the whole family, including Movies in the Park, Black History festivals, Halloween Haunted Houses, concerts and other Night Out in the Parks events. Afterschool programs are offered throughout the school year, and in the summer youth attend the Park District’s popular six-week day camp. On the cultural side, Garfield Park offers dance, music and arts classes with partnership organizations including the Najwa Dance Troupe and the Chicago West Music Center. Park-goers come to Garfield Park to enjoy baseball, basketball or tennis. Many of the spaces in Garfield Park are available for rental, including the grand ball room, which is popular for wedding receptions. Garfield Park sits adjacent to the Garfield Park Conservatory, a popular destination for special events, educational field trips and flower shows. The park also offers an artifical turf where children can play in Owls LaCrosse teams and other park district and community programs. Outside, the park offers a swimming pool, baseball fields, athletic fields for football or soccer, a fishing lagoon, tennis courts, floral gardens and playgrounds that were recently renovated as part of Mayor Emanuel’s Chicago Plays! Program. The field house holds a gymnasium, auditorium, dance studio, fitness center, boxing center, grand ballroom and meeting rooms. Located in the East Garfield Park Community, Garfield Park totals 172.57 acres and features the historic Golden Dome field house.

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