I absolutely love it here. A tiny neighborhood park on Lake Michigan where the neighborhood comes to walk Rover, take the kiddos for a romp, or just feel a breezy gust here and there. It's in Edgewater, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Chicago: There is community here, different cultures live here,it's on the lake, college students (it's next to Loyola) , and really like it because it away from the congestion of downtown. When in Chicago for a minute, I come here for morning exercises and late afternoon too if the weather is comfortable (48 and above lol) and can easily find a nook secluded from everyone else. Though compact, you can also experience a play, a full service restaurant, a playground, and rocks to sit on, look out into the water...and contemplate a life full of miracles. read more

See all

Beautiful little park with the original mansion & a couple of coach houses - one is used as a restaurant... Great playground for the kids...all of this right on the Lake. read more

This park has a nice playground for the kids. There's a very small walking path by the lake and rocks near the shore. During the summer the restaurant is open for some lakeside dining and entertaining. There's absolutely no parking around here so most people are locals which was fine by me when I lived close by. My husband purchased a bench here in memory of his mother so we still visit just to say hello. read more

Berger Park - A view of the lake at the playground - Playgrounds Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Would like to see this great park and area have more security and a greater cleanup effort put in to beautify the park. Being there is a plauground, day camp in summer and lots of family and a cafe here for sure more security here is needed. Please clean up after yourselfs here and keep the Chgo parks clean and safe for everyone. Will be happy to change my rating to a 5 when I see the changes. read more

Berger Park - Playgrounds Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I like that instead of rebuilding on this location they have turned two houses and two guest quarters into their park district houses. I came here for a theatre show, which is in the back. The theatre is very limited seating, the show was great. We were a week early for the cafe, but what a cool location to buy food and over look the lake. Oh yes the lake is right in back of all the buildings. I wish I live up this way, I would come back often if I did. read more

See all

Beautiful little park; peaceful also with rocks to sit on and watch the sunrise or fall. Lucky me, i live less than a mile away from this park. Great area to read a book also. If you see Sacred Hearts School; this park is located right across the street from it. There is also a cultural center as well; a playground for kids, and a place to grab coffee and breakfast at the waterfront cafe, which sits in the center of the cultural center and playground. Enjoy! read more

See all

I found my new peaceful Zen spot in Chicago. Here on the rocks, overlooking on the lake. Few people, much serenity. Lovely waterfront cafe, a theater playhouse, a playground, grass, dog friendly... Perfect spot to just sit, read, my book, write, and ponder life while watching the lake. read more

I had my baby shower here. It was very nice, affordable and the staff was cool. One star is missing because sometimes the staff is hard to reach! :( Other than that the shower was beautiful. My friends and family took pictures in the sun room which has a very nice view of the lake. I bring my daughter here to the park now, and I have to say the park is no fun for small kids! There are older kids there that love to swear and throw soccer balls all over the place, and they are far older than 12. read more

5 things i love about Berger Park 1 the Mansion is cool big 'roomy' and well kept 2 it is on the lakefront great views here go see stars here after dark ! eclipse view is great from here too on the proper night ! 3 dog and people friendly there is REAL GRASS here folks ! 4 playground for the kids great for people watching ! 5 the Dawghaus Cafe in the back ...on the waterfront ! ! read more

Beautiful park right on Lake Michigan. No parking but easily accessible via red line and 147 or 151. The park has a huge playgroup, park benches overlooking Lake Michigan, a couple park district buildings and the fun waterfront cafe. read more

Nice park. Right by the lake. There's a cafe next to it. Use park whiz or your favorite parking app for your parking if you are driving in. There's limited street parking. Young kids will like it. If you have older kids they have swings, monkey bars and ladders. Benches around. Several people set up hammocks by the trees. There are a few tables with chairs in the shade. Overall a cool place to check out. Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe (bring some coin though...the setting and prices will make you feel like you are on vacation) read more

Berger Park - Playgrounds Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Beach is big enough to play fetch with the dog. Café is busy on nice days. Climbing rocks for tough kids. Playground does the job for the under 1st grade crowd. read more

Friends told me about a play "The Birds" that was a must go see. So, we decided to go. This was my first time to Berger Park. I love the idea of homes along the lake being turned into this recreation area. Everyone going to the show met in the main area. Then we were escorted to 'the show area" like a coach house. Since it was at night, the walk from the main to the coach house was beautiful being set right there on the lake and it was a full moon and the temp was perfect. I am really amazed with the number of people packed into the house and the small amount of space they had to act in and how they were able to transform it into a set with different scenes. After the show we walked around the park.. Quite nice. I didn't realize there was a restaurant back there as well. Will definitely have to try it out next spring/summer. I highly recommend going here for a show or to just walk around! read more

I agree with everyone else that the playground itself, while quite small, is great and the views of the water can't be beat. My son loved the pirate ship and watching the waves on the lake as he ate his snack. The reason it's getting 3 stars is because we don't live in the neighborhood so we drove over and parking was nearly impossible to find. I drove around for nearly 25 minutes (having heard this was a park not to be missed) and almost gave up when I spotted something. Even the pay to park spots, which are a few blocks away, were hard to come by. Also by the time we parked and walked over a bathroom visit was needed and they were well hidden inside one of the houses. The park is beautiful and I understand why people love it, it's just difficult to get to if you're not in walking distance! read more

I love this park. We live a few blocks away and it is so lovely to stroll through at sunrise or sunset. The playground, the cafe, the park house, and all the benches... It's just a great little community area. Never too crowded either. One of my favorite neighborhood spots! read more

Just saw a Three Cat Production play it was very well done. I definitely would attend another of their plays. Theater is in the coach house. There are a couple building on the park property made with cream city bricks which is worth seeing. Park also has a cafe and pre theater dinner is a must .Cafe is by the water with great view prices are affordable Food was excellent and menu had a little of everything.The only drawback is parking. read more

This is a really beautiful spot to spend an evening. The playground is a lot of fun and pretty clean if you've got kids (or if you're a big kid yourself). The old house on the property can be rented out for special events. I've been here for a quinceaera and the whole thing was gorgeous. Steps away from the rocks and the lake, there a plenty of great photo ops. This isn't a bad spot to watch the sun rise or set. Not a bad spot for a croquet party. Not a bad spot for a picnic. It isn't a bad spot to do just about anything. read more

We live a block away from Berger Park, I love this park! There are always dogs walking around, kids playing on the playground, people at the cafe, or sitting on the rocks. It's a little piece of heaven where me & my dog can go. read more

I agree with Sarah R. that this park is outstanding. It's so beautiful in the summer - with a fantastic new playground for the kiddies butting right up on the lake! Dogwalkers love this park, too, and I can't blame them. Going here on a warm summer day, the kids playing with the sun overhead and the waves lapping against the breakwater, reminds me why I love Chicago! read more

I must be missing something that the other reviewers aren't. I was really excited to visit this park with my dog, after hearing such great things. My take on it is that it's really small, not a lot of "hang out" room, and at least the times that I've been there, has so many people/dogs already that you can't really sit down and relax (at least not with a dog). Also not seeing how the beach is accessible? Maybe I'll have to inspect again today. The view is really beautiful, and I would like to go back with the cafe is open, seems like it would be a great place to grab a drink with some friends in the evening. read more

This is a little slice of vacation heaven close to home. The beach is small and shaded and you need to climb down some rocks to get there, but the secluded spot is just perfect. The softest sand and is perfect for the kids to play in. There is a great little outdoor cafe that has a laid back Key West feel just above the beach. They have excellent guacamole and a great beer selection. Adjoining the cafe is a great park for the kids. I would be here daily if I could. I almost want to keep it a little secret all to myself. read more

Watch it at night gang activity around the lake and dark tree areas. Can get rough on plarground on schools days. Just watch and be careful.

Nice little park on the lake. Great place to have lunch in the summer as there are a few tables and plenty of benches. Right near the waterfront cafe so you can grab a drink and relax. read more

I have only lived in Chicago for around a year now and live down the street from this park. I moved here from San Diego so yes the weather here was a bit of a shock. My whole life I have always lived close to the ocean so something about this park is comforting to me. Even though the lake is a lake its size allows me to trick myself into thinking that there is a vast ocean next to the city! This park is pretty clean and has a lot to offer, there is a little garden, and a cute little café open in the summer time. It's a nice park to take your kids to or even just sit down on a bench or the rocks by the water and unwind. I have used this park many times as a place to just clear my head. Super cute little get away. read more

Nice park for the kids to play, with an amazing view of the lake, and the families there are very ethnic, so it's a great place to interact for the kids with different cultures and enrich themselves. read more