Humboldt Park

When you need a bit of nature in the westside, Humboldt Park is here to save the day. Amidst some litter, a hilarious «beach,» and some fast moving cars, this park is pretty amazing.
Run it, walk it, stroll through — there’s always something to catch your eye. From the ducks and eagles (!!) to the sports courts and waterways, Humboldt Park is a great attempt at incorporating the outdoors with the city. The neighborhood is a little desolate (some may call it sketch), but it’s nice to not be in an overcrowded park.
Plenty of parking nearby, and it’s absolutely gorgeous year round.

I love Humboldt Park. The park is huge, beautiful and full of things to do. This is my family’s favorite park to come to feed the ducks, power wheel and play on the jungle gym. I also see people fishing, BBQ’ ing and playing sport or dominoes. Wouldn’t suggest going after the sun goes down but definitely worth a stroll on a nice day.

Park is not worth a visit if you’re from out of town. It’s nice and big so you could have a run around it but it’s in disrepair. Has massive potential but with some visitors insisting on discarding their rubbish by the waterside thus ruining the potential of these sites and with the toilets on the north of the park in utter disgusting condition I’d not exactly be going out of my way to visit again.

Love the park. Was last here for the 5k. Great first race for the park. Weather wasn’t anything anyone could control but made it a bummer to have some many roads and walk ways with standing water. Hope the roads get repaved soon but overall, it’s a great park in the heart of the city!

I was hesitant to run around Humboldt Park given I’m not from here and some of the reviews made it sound like a scary place. However, I did it anyway and was pleasantly surprised at how lovely the park really is. I felt safe and it was really a beautiful park.

This review comes from a runner’s perspective.
When I do long runs on weekends, it’s always a debate: Should I head to the lake shore path or Humboldt Park? In my mind, either one presents an equally appealing option.
I went for a run there a week ago, just after we’d gotten a pretty huge amount of snow. They’d done the best they could to clear off a good amount of path for those who wished to brave the outdoors that week, but there was still a large amount of snow covered paths. I was in the midst of my run, approaching a section where the the path was simply cut off by two feet of piled up snow (meaning I’d have to turn around to stay dry).
I was about to turn around, then a flood of memories came back from when I used to play around in the snow as a kid. Whether it was a day of sledding, making snowmen, etc., I was never concerned about how cold it was or how wet my clothes might get. Needless to say, I embraced those days and plowed straight ahead through the (seemingly) monstrous blanket of snow.
The snow covered stretch lasted about half a mile, and I had to high-​step the whole time as if I were Deion Sanders, but it only felt like a few steps. First of all, it was fun not caring about a pace, or keeping dry. Second, the park itself is still gorgeous even when it’s completely covered in snow. The pond was nearly frozen over, and the ducks/​geese were prancing around on the ice.
The point of this story is this: Humboldt Park made me thankful to be in Chicago during February.
It’s like a retreat from the city. If you’re ever tired of the concrete jungle feeling, take a trip with someone to Humboldt Park and just walk around. It’s refreshing to see the baseball/​softball fields, people playing soccer, grilling out. I’ve never had a bad experience here, and I’m very thankful to have this place here in Chicago.

Humboldt is the best park in Chicago, for a number of reasons
1. It’s a nice size, so you don’t feel like you’re running over other people
2. There’s a lagoon with a very pleasant walking path
3. The people here are really nice
4. There’s a boat house where you can park your car if you’d like to drive.
If you can’t give this park 5 stars, please go back to Skokie.

Just gorgeous any time of the year. I’d avoid it after the sun goes down, but 7am-​7pm, it’s just perfect. My dog and my wife just love it too.

I walk dogs here every day. Gorgeous space with tons of space. Amenities are wonderful and there are always tasty food trucks ready to serve if you gwt hungry running around!

This review is for the FITNESS CENTER at the field house.
I am definitely a fan! This is one of the nicer park district fitness centers. It’s large, has a lot of natural light, mirrors, and windows that face the park that let a lot of sunlight in. During the winter I take my running indoors and sometimes the treadmill can be tedious, especially if it’s backed up to a corner of the room or facing a wall (like it is now over at the McFetridge Center Field House). Running on the treadmill at Humboldt *almost* feels like you’re in the park. As a bonus, the machines have fans (some of the newer replacement machines don’t). There are benches to put your stuff on during your workout and it’s never been crowded. The temperature control is also good — can work out comfortably without freezing or sweltering. And — FREE PARKING is a huge bonus.
The four-​star rating is because of the limited hours (not open Sundays, and on Saturdays and weekdays aren’t open until 9 am). But if you can get yourself there when they are open, it’s worth it.

Wow! This is a huge park and there seems to be great new children’s area. Of course, I was there for Riot Fest and I sort of felt bad that with the rain and the crowds that we were trashing whole sections of the grounds… I hope the Riot Fest people put everything back to rights.
Little Wrigley Field was impressive. I would have to loved to play ball in such an impressive location as a kid. The neighborhood is a bit sketch.

Great park, but dirty. Humboldt Park, have you ever met Central Park? Its 4 times bigger and CLEANNNNN. So Humboldt Park is super great, but pretty dirty. So much garbage everywhere, all the time, tequila bottles, condom boxes, fast food cups, beer cans, etc. I tried to clean it up, but the park is too big.

Humboldt Park is a great example of how Chicago could be. It could show its original splendor with just an ounce of professional oversight from the city. As is, it’s under the thumb of underachievers. This summer I entered the park near California and Division one afternoon, and 3 old farts screamed «This is a Puerto Rican Park» over and over. I pretended I couldn’t hear and ignored them.
The water fountains around the park are in disrepair. Fried food vendors fill the park with grease stink and garbage. Their generators overpower the birdsong. All the garbage cans face the street, as if no one would ever need to toss garbage in the vast green interior.
Honestly, how much did the the city spend to restore the natural aspects of the park? And then we turn it over to the amateurs?

I was supposed to get married here this past Sunday, but got an email on Friday from them saying that they had to cancel, claiming that I sent them blank forms, even though I know for a fact that I didn’t, because I have the fax confirmation sheet. My guess is that they doublebooked the space and needed an excuse to cancel something.
So needless to say, don’t book your event here!!!

It is a beautiful park with lots of different paths for walks and runs and areas to chill. Its a block from where I live and my favorite thing about this area. You can see the change in the community in the last 5 years based on the people you see at the park. Its safe to go when its light out for sure. I don’t think twice about it and I’m a 5′ tall female :) You’ll be fine.

Huge Urban Oasis on the West Side! I have been heading up every time the thermometer gets above freezing. There are so many pathways you could walk/​run for hours without repeating your pattern or getting bored. I feel like I discover a new path every time I go. One complaint… it’s making me wish spring/​summer were here even more! I love watching the ducks/​geese on the snow and ice, but I wanna see them IN the melted pond already! Lots of good dog/​puppy watching too. Any complaints I have read to me are explained away by the fact that this is a park in a big city! Such is life! So glad to live near Humboldt Park!

This place is so awesome I got married here…
Humboldt Park will forever be a place that means a lot to me. I am glad that I chose the Chicago Park District and this venue for my wedding day. Very simple but also very nice and a great place to have an outdoor wedding in the Boathouse and a close reception across the street in the Fieldhouse.
Be careful when you are in the Boathouse because you might get pooped on (5 people out of 100 did).

This is where I go to walk my dog. In the early morning, you can see the sun rise over the big hill near Kedzie and Evergreen and the world is still and pretty.
This is where I go to run. There is so much space that I don’t think I have ever taken exactly the same route twice. Sometimes I take a terribly windy path on purpose just to make my run last longer.
This is where I go to see people in my neighborhood enjoying the day. Sometimes they’re grilling and saving Prime Spots from the wee hours of the day for their families and friends. Sometimes folks have drawn up a hammock between two huge, old trees and nap away the afternoon in the shade. Sometimes tiny children splash around in the lagoon in the summertime, pretending it’s Lake Michigan or the ocean or not thinking about it and just splashing.
This is where I go in the winter to remember winter is pretty and not just muddy curbs and harsh wind. Some of the wildlife sticks around even when things freeze over and you get a few precious, quiet moments seeing a rare bird or a squirrel who’s gotten fat just before the deep freeze.
I hear there’s a fitness facility inside the fieldhouse. I’ve seen people get married at the sparse, but beautiful boathouse. The baseball diamonds and soccer fields are always full of life when it’s warm out. Tiny, fluffy goose ducklings take their first steps on a little island in the pond just east of Humboldt Avenue. A picnic here can quickly become epic. It’s an ideal place for clearing your head. It makes it nice to live around here. I could go on. I think you maybe get it.

One of Chicago’s most beautiful parks. The kids really enjoy it here. It used to be a bad area, but now you can find people from all walks of life here. The park is huge. I have yet to really explore all of it yet. There are a few little play grounds for kids. One of the playgrounds includes a water sprinkler for the kids to run through, so be sure to bring a bathing suit and an extra pair of clothes. There are basketball courts, tennis courts, a place to go fishing, lots of flowers. And lots of Hispanic flavor pouring from the neighborhood. If you have yet to stop by you should really make it a point to check Humboldt Park out. If you have been here before make another trip soon. It’s always a good time.

I live in Humboldt Park and I am a bit biased, but I’ll be fair and honest. 5 years ago I would not step foot in that park because the I was told how bad it was… gangs, homeless people, prostitutes etc… I now live right down the street and love this park. I go walking in this park at several times per week and have never had anyone bother me at all. Yes, the stigma of the past is still there, but I’ve never seen any gang activity or prostitutes as I was told I would see. It’s an open park, you’ll see homeless people here and there, but have never been bothered or approached by one. It’s no different than Lincoln Park or any other park.
There is so much to do here. It’s a great place to go swimming in the summer. They have a small beach lake with lifeguard. The water isn’t very deep and tons of kids, but it’s still fun to go in. They do have a pool in the clubhouse and there is a small water fountain.
Take a walk around the lagoon and be amazed with the views. There are specific areas on the trail that walk through wildlife preserve (please observe the signs to stay out of specific areas!) and border the lakes/​lagoons. On the east entrance, you’ll find a beautiful garden with buffalo statues facing. I see people taking wedding photos here quite often, which is nice. If you have a camera, take pictures of the landscape, the statues… I even took pictures of people painting. Join/​create a soccer or baseball team. They do have plenty of leagues to look into.
I could keep going, but you’ll have to find out yourself how great it is.
There is one problem that is a man-​made problem… Trash. I don’t see very many trash bins, except for the pavilion or at the baseball fields. Please pick up your trash and take it with you! Stop putting your trash in bags and leaving it for someone to pick up. The fences are lined with plastic bags full of trash hanging because people are so too lazy to take it back. These plastic bags end up tearing open and the trash goes in the water and surrounding. The lakes are becoming polluted by the amount of trash that is blown in. I know it’s getting better, but it’s still a problem. Take your trash out with you!!!