Humboldt Park is one of the best parks in Chicago. It's a great way to spend a beautiful day in Chicago. There is plenty of space and greenery to take part in. You will find plenty of people using the trails and cooking out. There is a playground to take your kids and you can usually find food trucks parked here to take part in as well. The park is clean and family friendly I always enjoyed getting out and going. It is also connected close to division with plenty of restaurants and bars read more

I took a walk through Humboldt Park on my last day in Chicago trying to walk away the stress and anxiety of a crazy year. A good walk can cure a lot. It was the first time on my trip I was able to really take a breath. I only had 3 days in this beautiful city, and much of this was spent filming myself eating. I hate filming myself eating in restaurants as it just feels so invasive, but I love the creative process of writing, editing, and highlighting good local businesses. Sometimes I wish I could just write and not do videos as my soul is in the writing, but it's not the 1980s anymore. I have a "what am I doing with my life" at least once a day, but then I always bring it back to that J.Cole lyric from 2009: "Nobody to blame but myself cause I asked for this..." Real. Humboldt Park is lowkey in need of some TLC, but it also gives it character. The grass is overgrown and there's a good amount of litter on the grounds, but almost in an endearing way. It felt gritty. A park for locals as opposed to tourists. I really connected with it. It's been open since 1877, and I can't help but wonder what it could say if it could talk. It's seen so much. An abundance of history in these 207 acres... I love Chicago. IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo read more

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Very nice park! Beautiful with all the leaves changing in the fall, and nice to run around the water. read more

Humboldt Park - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Today was a gorgeous day to visit the park! The flowers are blooming, the animals are scurrying about and there are plenty of other people enjoying a walk through the area. We love taking our dog there and walk around the numerous trails that hug the lakes and gardens. It's also a great place to ride bikes, run or rent boats to pass the time by on the lake. It gets a little busier on the weekends but still very enjoyable. I highly recommend visiting this park! read more

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City parks like this are supposed to make the area beautiful. Humboldt Park at least improves upon it. If looking for some green space amidst the urban chaos, find some in this big park. Good things about this park include the many athletic facilities. This gives the neighborhood youth something to do that's fun and safe. As is the case with many city parks, the worst thing about it is the crime in the area. It's located in an area that can get sketchy at times, especially at night. The park is usually safe during the day though. It's a pretty bad idea to come here at night. There's lots of things here to keep the youth entertained and off the streets. Amongst these are the many athletic facilities including the field house, along with basketball courts and soccer fields. There's also a big beautiful pond. Be safe when visiting here. It's usually okay if it's not at night. This is a park that's mostly safe but it's always good to be careful at all times. read more

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The joy that this park brings is immense. It was my favorite place to be when I move to Chicago. Being new to area, I ventured over here with my dog for walk. I had no expectations of what the park had to offer. It has so much. Can't believe that the park has: tennis, basketball, baseball, soccer, ponds, lakes, bridges, beaches, and walking trails. I know I am missing so much but it truly has everything. I like to walk the park earlier in the day but sometimes I will go in the afternoon. The experiences are vastly different. Whether you are at this park during fall, winter, spring or summer...the views are fantastic. I also love that fact that there are food vendors on the weekend. I wished there was a dog friendly cafe nearby so I could grab my coffee before my walk. Biggest downside at this park is the homeless population. It definitely ebbs and flows. Some individuals of this community are respectful and give you space. Others clearly have mental health issues and need services or some type of intervention. Currently there are about 8 tents crowding one of the only bathroom facilities. There is no way that any rationale person would approach this area to use the facilities. Makes it a useless feature for park goers. Also it is near the two child friendly playgrounds...so I am sure some parent would appreciate the opportunity to wash their hands or go potty but it looks like a an unfriendly zone of the park. All in all, I love this park. I wish that they would put more effort in cleaning it up and making the facilities more user-friendly. The rose garden is absolutely fantastic during it's peak. read more

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Nice and easy 2-mile quiet winter walk along a field house, beach, lagoon, and a baseball field with parking read more

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What a spectacular park! Highly recommend coming here for a casual walk or a picnic in the park. There is so much space and so much to see and do. They have baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, paddle boats, and even a beach. They do a nice job keeping it clean with a lot of trash cans around. Lovely path and beautiful prairie field. Can't wait to bring my parents here. read more

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One of my favorite parks in Chicago! I was born & raised here so Humboldt Park will always have a special spot for me. There's something ethereal about taking a morning walk in this park that I cannot explain. No matter how many people are there, you can always feel like you're alone and just tucked away in nature. I enjoy that there's always something to do in the park. You're gonna see people walking and running with the dogs, families having cookouts, older people playing dominoes, etc and that isn't including the sports' play areas they have as well-- it's a really active park. You can walk around in the evenings, but the vibe can change pretty quickly & I don't recommend it. The park closes at sundown. There is free parking within the park and paid parking along the outside. Parking isn't allowed overnight & I wouldn't recommend it either if it was. I recently took this picture on a morning walk in Humboldt Park. I was walking my dog & saw the biggest hawk fly down with a recent catch. read more

Humboldt Park - Picture of a Hawk in Humboldt Park that recently caught a squirrel. - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very nice and clean park with plenty of free parking near the Humboldt Park Boathouse, which is labelled as "cultural center" on Google maps. There are plenty of benches on the other side of the lagoon near the playground area. Nice spot to read a book, although quite windy. Will need to come back to try the swan paddle boats. read more

Humboldt Park - Humboldt Park Lagoon - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Where nature art and fun combine.  A restaurant, nature sanctuary, wildlife, 2 Lagoon's, a beach, art, a field house with programs for kids and adults, all this and more can be found at Humboldt Park. On any given day in the spring summer and fall you will find baseball, football, soccer, or tennis all happening at Humboldt Park. A little Slice of Heaven in the urban jungle of Chicago. You can take a nice walk and enjoy different Wildlife such as Ducks, geese, rabbits, woodpeckers as well as the homo sapien kind. Come enjoy nature in all its Glory, some of the best times are in spring and fall when it's not as crowded. My biggest peeve, people who don't have their dogs on leashes and don't pick up after them. Come enjoy the park and please don't leave any trace of yourself or your pets behind. read more

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Nice relax park to come and take a nice quiet walk. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. There were people out on picnics, bicycling, jogging and fishing. Great place to bring your family for some quality time. Bird watching was so calm and peaceful. A great park to enjoy nature and fresh air. read more

Humboldt Park - A Walk In The Park - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Humboldt Park is a great oasis from the chaos of the surrounding city. There is loads of space for hiking, ball games, paddle boats, and picnics. No signs of alligators in the lagoon this year. Grab a treat from nearby Roeser's Bakery. read more

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Driving through Chicago, I wanted to escape from the highway traffic, so we took a detour, drove through Humboldt Park, and decided to stop to stretch our legs. This is a large, beautiful park. I was impressed with all the amenities here: paddle boats, baseball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, fishing, The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, areas to picnic, plenty of open air to go for a walk, a sledding hill, a beach, and lots more. I had never been to this part of Chicago, so it was nice to explore a new-to-me green space on the West Side of the city. read more

This park is one of Chicago's true gems. The sad part is that's is a bit hidden away in a part of Chicago that many Chicagoans will not venture to. Going to this park and this part of Chicago is totally worth your while. First, this park is steeped in history. The park was built in the 1870s when the neighborhood was mostly German and Eastern European immigrants. This is reflected in the name of the park and monuments around the park. This will give you a better understanding of the historical past of this area and of Chicago. Also, it gives you a taste of a prairie style park, something not often seen in modern parks, and what parks of the late 1800s and 1900s were like. You can literally walk where people of the past walked. Second, the park is self is very nice. It's large enough to spend a good amount of time walking around without being in same place twice. It's perfect for a weekend walk. It also has a lot of good open green space with is good for just lying around in the sun. There is always something to see or explore, like the beach or the boat house. Third, it has a some good amenities. It has a beach, a boat house a museum dedicated to Porto Rican art and culture and a very cool baseball field that is sponsored by the Chicago Cubs. Further, it has a nice parking lot, something you don't often see at a Chicago park. If you can't get a parking spot in the parking lot, free parking in the surrounding neighborhood is available. Fourth, it's located in a very cool neighborhood. If you go this park, leave it and explore the surrendering neighborhood. You will find a vibrant Latino community with many great restaurants and shops. read more

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Having lived a 1/2 block away from the park for five years, this was simply one of my favorite places to go, practically on a daily basis. Running, walking, fishing, this park is a huge part of the new popularity of the neighborhood for young families. Longtime residents use the ball fields for softball, hardball, football practices, and the Allstate sponsored turf soccer field is rarely empty. The beach has been improved and is now more popular than ever. I've fished here a lot, and have caught bluegills, small bass and catfish. There's a Facebook group devoted to fishing here, if you're interested. The residents that live around here and use the park are pretty friendly, there's a real local community aspect to this Park. Since moving out of the City, I miss living so close to a vibrant and nicely designed nature space. When moving, this was one of the last places I spent a few hours, soaking in the sunshine and the tranquility. Do check out the Park, pick up after yourself and your dog (and your neighbors if you need to), this is truly one of the best places in Chicago! read more

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Where nature's beauty mix in harmony with man's modern playground. Tennis, football, soccer, basketball, court hockey, softball, can all be enjoyed here. Little league baseball can be seen on weekends during the summer, and there is a replica of Wrigley Field (yes, THAT Wrigley Field) located on tbe west side by the Kedzie ave entrance. Children's playgrounds are also available. Swimming can be enjoyed either in the beach behind the field house, or the pool south of Augusta ave. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture is located here as well, and just a look at the architecture from the outside is woth a trip. One of the greatest ideas of Chicago's founding fathers from the turn of the 20th century. I love to come for a walk here, or lite jog. Just going around the the bodies of water could earn you a couple of miles. I like to start at The Boathouse, which also houses a restaurant. Continue around the Big Lagoon, crossing the boulevard to the Fieldhouse.  Go around the beach and follow, what I call, "the lazy river & the tranquility passage". Arrive at the formal garden. After circling the garden, I return to the river.  Follow the "lazy river" all the way back to the lagoon; circle around the lagoon again, and I find myself back where I started. Then, I take a different route to do it all over again. The scenery is intoxicating and is easy to lose track of time or how much land you have  covered. Of course I'm a veteran of this park, for the newbie, it will be almost impossible not to stop every so often to soak in the view; look at a flock of geese, a family of ducks, butterflies or the occasional egrets; try to spot some turtles, the birds and even other human interaction within this wonderful park. A gem that every Chicagoan should enjoy at least once in their lifetime. read more

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One of my favorite parks in the city. Humboldt Park is huge! There are several playgrounds for children, paths for biking and walking, and lots of grassy areas perfect for picnics. There are beautiful pathways, a lake with ducks and geese, lots of wild flowers, a beach, a boat house and food trucks! It's clean and family friendly. Humboldt Park is beautiful read more

Humboldt Park - City views - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have lived all over the United States due to serving in the military, and have been exposed to many different parks everywhere that I have lived. Needless to say that its hard to pick out a favorite due to being exposed to many, but all have had unique vibes about them, and all brought that escape from reality that I and many others need every now and then. With that being said 'Humboldt Park' became one of those spots in a heart beat. I'm not sure how others feel, but I get that urge of peace when I run through the park itself. It really doesn't seem that huge when you look at it from a satellite angle, but feels large when you are running the mini paths within. The features within, such as the lagoons, sculptures, and formal gardens are things that never get old to me. The key word is peace because I see artists at peace; runners & walkers at peace, plus families relaxing and barbecuing/picnicking at peace, which of course puts me at peace too. I have not lived on the West side of Chicago that long, but for the time that I do live here 'Humboldt Park' is currently one of my favorite get-a-way from reality spots. Parking is no issue as well. Enjoy! Thomas G read more

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Paseo boricua Chicago is a great city Whit a awesome neighborhood Great restaurants Around great park as well I wish I can live around there read more

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Humboldt Park is much more than a city park that's here for exclusively for pleasure. It's a bird and wildlife sanctuary. Home to thousands of birds, butterflies, bunnies and of course the elusive black squirrel. Wildlife thrives here with an abundance of native plants and flowers. If you come here please don't feed the ducks and birds bread. It's deadly to them. Please Don't leave don't your garbage laying around and blare your shitty loud music, and for the love of Christ don't blow off fireworks . 200 years ago Illinois was 90% prairie, but thanks to us were down to less then 2% now. Think about that. Let's do our part and preserve this little slice of heaven we have here. Nature is depending on us! read more

Humboldt Park - Baby bunny - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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!!!!!!!!!! read more

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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. read more

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Nice place to go jogging, but its not well maintained. I hope they consider cleaning up in the future or after the corona mess. read more

Humboldt Park - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I absolutely love Humboldt Park....Being here in this neighborhood for almost 14 years now, there's no place like it! Sure it used to be rough and scary around here but don't let that discourage you because this place is up and coming as alot of investors and business owners are spending money in the area....Don't listen to people that don't know what there talking about that this area is not safe...See for yourself... I used to play basketball alot here but haven't in a while.....Theres a full court...Plenty of people walking there dogs...with there children....running....playing catch.....Huge tennis court....The park is huge and beautiful including a fishing area.....and they have plenty of little vans that sell Puerto Rican food during the summer season.... On Saturdays there is a "Farmers Market" there from 10am to 2 pm....I also have a booth there for my store and there is a Organic Produce booth and a Spanish Food booth.....Live music and they give away free condoms.... Great environment....great people.....Just come and see for yourself.... read more

Humboldt Park - Farmers Market @ Humboldt Park On Saturdays 10am to 2pm - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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. read more

Humboldt Park - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This park may be Chicago's greatest treasure. It is an oasis where you can walk wooded paths and listen to the leaves rustle against each other; stand by the lagoon and observe ducks, geese, and herons; admire scores of butterflies, particularly monarchs, buzzing around milkweed and other plants designed to nourish them; and, when you've had all that exposure to nature, there's a public toilet, and it's actually pretty clean. I'm lucky enough to be able to visit on weekdays, when the crowds are not so big. I always find parking in the lot. There are gardeners working who are happy to chat with you, and who clearly love tending things of beauty. There are small children with their parents; I saw one woman pointing out different kinds of butterflies to her 3-year-old. I said, "you've got a budding naturalist there." She responded, "I'm doing everything I can to make that happen." Children accustomed more to pavement can get up close to green goodness. There is a small café where you can sit inside or outside to eat. On a perfect summer day, we had coffee and snacks, and watched the world go by. We were surprised to find there is actually a swimming beach, protected by lifeguards. You don't have to go to the lakefront to dip your toes into cooling water! Humboldt Park (the neighborhood) sometimes get a bad reputation. When you're at the park, you see all manner of people who live nearby, and some, like me, who live at a greater distance. I've never experienced any problems chatting with people. It's as if the atmosphere gentles all of us. This is a special place. read more

This park is big. VERY BIG. But based on appearance, which is pretty important, it does not look safe. I would not walk around here by myself, even during the day. Hey, what can I say, I'm a big chicken. But there are some beautiful structures in this area such as the lagoon, the boathouse, and the community center that used to be a horse stall (soon to be the Institute of Puerto Rican Art ). They even have a field house and flower hall in this area. read more

Boy have I been missing out on all this beautiful park has to offer. I knew there was more to it than meets the eye when I ventured over to partake in the Puerto Rican Day festivities; and also when I went last summer for a picnic and we were camped atop a hill that gave us a birds eye view of the Chicago Skyline. Who knew? However, I was somewhat reticent to take my daughter (without being in a large group) because of what I had seen and heard. While chatting with my neighbor who has lived in HP all his life, I told him I'd like to take my daughter over there but wasn't sure where to go. He rounded up his two nieces and nephew and was our personal tour guide through this urban oasis. On our way to the playground we passed the tennis courts; we took a leisurely stroll by the lagoon and teased the geese and ducks; we peeked inside the fieldhouse to check out the gym; we did a little bird-watching and spotted what I think were two red-winged blackbirds but after doing a little research, that species doesn't inhabit this part of the US. (but I'm telling you, the birds we saw exactly matched the picture on Wikipedia!) When we finally reached the playground, we saw tons of kids of all ages racing about, shrieking, laughing, some crying and enjoying the playground which was equipped with swings, a jungle gym, slides, a skateboard area and other goodies for the kiddies to enjoy. We had a ball! I will definitely be back!! read more

A dog walkers dream. There are multple paths through out the park that wind around a lake, tree glen, and open fields. If you want to socialize your pet, this is the park to be! I've lived 1 block north and west for the last five years. Don't believe the hype the park is very safe. Ask the police officers who hang out there. Peak times for dog walkers and Runners are 7-9am 5-8pm Weekends are full during the summer due to the 9 baseball fields. Soccer and Kick ball is popular too. read more

In the late 1860's the city of Chicago was enjoying the burgeoning development of the city's park system. One of these parks is the west-side jewel, Humboldt Park, named after Baron Freidrich Heinrich Alexander Von Humboldt, a German scientist who neighbors wanted to commemorate. The park has a cycling and jogging paths, a gymnasium, a large lagoon for fishing, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and some fine examples of period architecture. Pack a picnic, pile the family on the bus, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the heart of the city in Humboldt Park. read more

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Humboldt Park is the perfect getaway when you need to feel like you're not actually in a big city, without ever having to get on the highway! While I love Lake Michigan, it's so peaceful to just come and hang out near the pond, people watch, play catch or just read a book. There's so much space even on "crowded" summer weekends. Lots of families come here for summer cookouts, so there's lots of music and sometimes resulting litter. But other than stray beer cans, the park is kept very nice. The best part is the flower garden, where there's almost always someone taking pictures for their quinceañera. As a dog owner, I am so happy I actually have a place within walking distance of my apartment that I can take my pup to run around and meet new friends. I actually decided to get a dog after seeing so many people walking their dogs in this park. This park is probably my favorite part of living in this community. Way to go Chicago for having such an amazing parks district! read more

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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. read more

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. read more

Completely old school field house and it's what actually makes it so great. My Son has played basketball for a few seasons here and they have recently totally renovated the gym, so it's quite nice. As with any public rec place in Chicago, if you ask to just shoot around in the gym when nothing else is happening it's always a No, "bc of liability, blah dee freaking blah". Apart from that, the place is great and has a great history which you can feel when walking in. read more

This is one of the most enjoyable parks in Chicago. Not only do they have swan-shaped paddle boats, they also have batting cages in the summertime. One of my favorite things to do around June is to take a tarp up to Humboldt Park put it down under the mulberry trees, and shake the branches. You can usually get enough mulberries to make a pie dash which we have done with a graham cracker crust. I've also heard mulberry wine is very good. Mulberries don't keep too long, but if you eat them off the tree they are delicious. this park is great for a picnic, a bike ride, or even catching some intramural sports. Highly recommend read more

I would have to agree with Nell T. -- if you think Humboldt Park is too dangerous than the city is not the right place for you to live. Yes, there are people there who are not white (how crazy is that?), in fact you may even hear people speaking Spanish -- but this is one of the most beautiful parks in the city of Chicago. I just moved up to Ukrainian Village from Hyde Park where we have some equally beautiful parks (that are actually scary) but nothing to compare to the sheer size and scope of Humboldt Park. Just telling you that it is over a hundred acres of prairie, formal gardens, a lake, biking and running trails as well as museum and a myriad of other things doesn't begin to give you a picture of all that the park has to offer. Personally, I love to Rollerblade from the south end of the park, around the lake the by the formal gardens then out by the new Puerto Rican Museum. You always see lots of families picnicking there on the weekends or riding their bikes together. It is truly a neighborhood spot. Humboldt Park is a gem that I'd appreciate it if you'd stay out -- I don't want to share. read more

I spent a good chunk of my life living around this park. It has a lot of memories to me. Some are bad but the majority are moments I'll never forget. When I was a kid, I got chased a few times by the gang bangers and other trouble making riff raff that frequented the park. You'd think I learn my lesson and just stay away, but I liked the park too much to do that. Fortunately, those past bad experiences were the only bad ones I endured. I loved it when my family had their summer cookouts here. We even had a regular spot we would always go to. And I loved playing on the swings. I even scraped the hell out of my shoulder while messing around on the swings here. I still have a scar from that. And nights when it snowed really heavy, I'd walk here to play in the fresh snow and I'd be the only one there making snow angels or building snow men. I would come here after school trying to find turtles at turtle island (I don't remember ever finding any, though). Great memories. And the great looking garden just off of Division St. and Humboldt Blvd. is a must to visit in the summertime. A lot of newly married couples come to it to take wedding photos here. It's a great park overall. I no longer live in the area around it, but I miss it. read more

One of the crown jewels of the Chicago Park District, Humboldt Park boasts 110 acres of prairie, landscaped terrain originally designed by the famed Jens Jensen, lakes stocked with fish, marshes, and one of the most gorgeous field houses in Chicago. There's a new Puerto Rican Museum on the corner of Division and Humboldt, the stately Boathouse just north of Division on Humboldt, and the aforementioned Field House that is always buzzing with activity. There are lit tennis courts (the one on California is the better-maintained of the two sets), two playgrounds, and even a lake where kids can swim. During the summer, the boathouse plays host to different bands each week. I watched a Czech big band wow the crowds and a few dancers on a perfect July evening just as the sun was setting. It was a magical sight. And also during the summer, fishing enthusiasts are on the lake from dawn til dusk patiently waiting a tug on the line. There are wild chickens in Humboldt Park. Former backyard inhabitants now hide in the low brush, scratching out a life on leftovers and garbage. This is a great park for dog-walking. There are squirrels to chase, other dogs to sniff, and a long path that takes you under Humboldt and across the street to the other side of the park, where the swimming lake is. Yep. A swimming lake, right in the middle of Humboldt park. There are homeless communities living in Humboldt Park near the corner of North and California. During the summer months there are frequent police 'busts' as cops collect bottles of booze and break them. At night there's a soup kitchen truck and the medical truck comes by on a regular basis. Everyone can enjoy Humboldt Park - just some more than others. read more

Bass fishing Tree Climbing Bird Watching Slacklining I cannot live in Chicago if it is not near this park. Once I was groped by a homosexual mexican ice-cream cart pusher though. read more