Union Park

Nice place to chill out
I like when they perform events in here
Too bad they always charge for it

This is the largest park near the West Loop where you can have outdoor picnics and not feel like you’re going to be crammed next to other groups. This part hosts the annual Riot Fest concerts so stay FAR away when that venue is taking place. The area can feel a bit shady especially at night so just be aware of your surroundings.

The visit to Union Park was a trip down memory lane for my daughter. She had attended 2 Pitchforks here and wanted to get back when we were in Chicago. Its a short walk from the «L» and wound up being a jumping off point for our trip to Pilsen to get some Mexican food.
She had told me it was an excellent spot for a music festival but I had to take her word for it. As she walked through the fields reminiscing I sat on a bench and watched a pickup basketball game while also people watching. Viewing the church across the grassy field was very relaxing. Then it was a walk around the park on the path and I found it to be a really cool city park. There is a huge pool there which was being worked on for the upcoming holiday weekend. For kids there was a playground that my 22 year old was envious of because it was better than those of her youth. It had a kid sized rock climbing wall, I saw walkers, parents with babies in carriages, a dad spending a nice Saturday with his daughters. Many other school aged kids in what may have been some type of event in a building located near the playground– all nicely supervised. Verdict: A nice neighborhood park that seems to serve the community well.
Icing on the cake: An older gentleman selling ice cream from a bicycle powered ice cream truck.
Doesn’t get anymore Americana than that!

Softball fields not up to par. Very poor lighting for night games.

The AAHHFest! Was Amazing! Common put together a great lineup of some of the best hip hop acts around. Jay Electronica, Lupe Fiasco, De La Soul, MC Lyte with special guest Lil’ Mama, Common himself and Kanye West! Everything was well run, and organized. The ticketing and entrance was fast and easy, even with bag checks and pat downs. the drink and food lines were long, but not unbearable. The concert was on time and ran smoothly, including cutting some acts short to keep on schedule. Kanye West did a long set at the end with just cut after cut and no long rants. And tickets were only $ 50. Great event for the city of Chicago thanks to Common and his team. I can’t wait for next year’s AAHHFest!

I had to mentally prepare myself before heading to Union Park wondering what would be in store for me on the Green Line. 4 stops later I got off the L safe and sound :) I was headed to one of the best concerts I have ever been to (AAHH! Fest), and since I knew parking would probably be scarce we took the green line. Glad we did! Very convenient and the park is literally 200 ft from the train stop.
This was my first time at Union Park, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I really enjoyed it though! It was a nice outdoor space, clean, and very organized (at least this event was). I had no problem picking up my will call tickets and getting in. Perfect amount of people, so the place didn’t feel jam pack. They also had food truck vendors. I guess my opinion is more so based on the concert (awesome line up… common, J hud, mc lyte, dave chappelle, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Jay Electronica). Based on my experienced here, I would definitely consider coming back to this venue for the convenience and to enjoy the outdoors and music.

They have a beautiful huge pool!!! So bring a swim suit & towel & enjoy the swim. They also have gender segregated swims so keep an eye out for what time those are & what time you’re going. The pool staff is friendly and helpful. Definitely making this place a routine stop during the summer.

This is not the most appealing urban park when there is not a festival: sitting on a crossroads between nice and sketchy neighborhoods with a mixed crowd, not too far from the west Randolph bars and restaurants. Seems nice in the day but I wouldn’t feel safe here after dark. Convenient to the Green/​Pink Ashland stations if you need a quick getaway to a park location. Home of Pitchfork festival one a year.

I came here as part of North Coast music festival, so it’s kind of hard to properly evaluate the park. However, it seemed spacious and they even have a tennis court! That’s better than some parks.

Came here on a summery June Sunday for a little tennis. Street parking was doable, but crowded. There was a girls’ youth soccer game going on in the main field, a few parents nearby watching. There were some basketball courts with a few guys playing 3pm 3, and the courts. The courts were enclosed with chain link fence. If you know me, you know I need some tall fences around my tennis court.
The ball did go out and over a few times, but a friendly strolling park goer always tossed it back over for us. Which is good too because the courts are along Ogden Ave. (busy!)
A cute park. Didn’t see bathrooms, but they have to be there, and the tennis courts were not overcrowded. Just what we were hoping for!!!

A park under the El. Who knew? Well, you and I both know now and we’re better for it. I am continuously astounded and delighted at Chicago’s green space. I’m always surprised at how different it all is and how much personality it is. Union Park, while not the biggest of the city parks, has a cool pentagon (I think) design, two baseball diamonds, jungle gym, and comfortable foot paths. There are plenty of tree overhangs that make this park pretty pitch-​perfect for summer picnicking. And, with music fest after music fest that performs here, odds are you’ll have plenty of chances to lollygag in the green.
My favorite part of the park is its resemblance to a prison yard. Not that I have ever been to prison nor do I have plans on going to prison but at one point in my life I had cable tv – so I know what I am talking about. The tennis courts are in the middle of the park and enclosed by a wraparound gate. While such a design makes it easy to not be distracted by rambunctious children or googly-​eyed lovers, it also gives one the sense of being imprisoned. I don’t know that that element works so much in a public park. Ohh. Maybe *that’s* why it’s right under the El. The rumbling train and cage adds to the industrial feel. It’s the intersection of green and steel. I get it. This park is performance art. Snaps!

i can’t wait to sweat my guts out again here at this year’s pitchfork festival. i almost fainted alone at union park two years ago after dan deacon’s set and had to crawl my way through a swarm of aging hipsters. i took refuge behind a giant energy drink truck while trying to regain consciousness– fun times.

I searched Unilocal today for «park» then screened the results by the two neighborhoods in my area to find out about this park. My husband and I went for a short while to throw around a ball and people watch and it was definitely fun. The park was fine. We enjoyed watching a guy with a huge kite too. There are 2 baseball diamonds but they weren’t being used for batting at the time so we were able to play catch near them.

they have intonation and pitchfork here! that alone makes it rule! oh and they have a pool!

This is a great park. They’ve got a nice baseball diamond and a swing set as well as tons of space for just lounging around. Stay on the north side of the park though, lots of bums like to congregate on the southern side.