Nice trail from nw side Chicago towards lake. Stopped short because of encampments and messes. Don't go past Lawrence

Big park located in the North Park area. Gompers Park is one of the bigger ones around here. It has athletic facilities and fields as well as natural wetlands. For sure has a lot to do and see in it. There's many youth leagues and programs among other things. A really big park with a lot of area to cover. It's more than 42 acres and it's on both sides of Foster Avenue west of Pulaski. This has long history of how it came to be and what it is today. First it used to be farmland. In 1926 it was transformed into parkland. Additions were soon to be added. These included a natural stream dammed to create lagoons. Also there were basketball courts and football fields. Later WPA funding was used to restore the wetlands. It was named after the founder and first president of the American Federation Of Labor. There's a statue of him at Foster and Pulaski. For certain it's a good way to admire the natural beauty of the area. It's located along the North Branch of the Chicago River. This also has a swimming pool that's popular in summer, but if wanting to see more authentic bodies of water, go for a walk around the wetlands. read more

Gompers Park - Statue - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Nice park along Foster Avenue that starts the bike trail that goes through LaBagh Woods, Forest Glen Woods, Caldwell Woods... & many others on its 15 mile trek up to The Botanical Gardens up in Glencoe, IL. It's such a great trail for walking, running, roller blading & biking. I live between LaBagh Woods & Forest Glen Woods so I frequently go for long walks along the trails. Even though it's surrounded by an urban environment wildlife abounds. With no natural predators for the deer or not enough to cull their population. I frequently see deer along the trails. A couple of times I was walking with my headphones on jamming out to the music. I looked up and there was a buck standing no more than 5-8 feet away just watching me. They are so integrated in the area they don't run away. You see the normal things like rabbits, raccoons, opossums (like big ole rats). I even saw a coyote once and a heron perched on a fallen tree searching the water below looking for its next meal. I try to get out early by 6:30 or 7 when it's quiet and there are less bikers and runners. It also increase your chance if seeing more animals. It's kind of cool to see animals in their natural habitat before all us stupid humans came along lol read more

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Blue skies. Blue water. Blue ..... Um, well, there are cuties here who roam as freely as the birds who chill out in the surprisingly clear water run off of the Chicago River. So, fill in the last part. I have been finding myself coming here a lot recently, if only to take a deep breath before wading back into the chaos of my day. This is my new spot for peace. And, it's free of charge. See you tomorrow? read more

Such a great little park. New playground equipment, tons of space to run around, in ground pool, club house, trails and more trails, baseball field, tennis courts, and right next door is the entrance to the North Branch Trail which is 20 miles of biking or walking though so many nature conservatory's and parks. I just love this place. And everyone is so friendly. Feels very safe all the time. read more

Gompers Park - He preferred to collect sticks - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I grew up thinking of the southern part of the park as "big Gompers" and the northern one as "little Gompers." The north park is a more social place, with a pool and field house. But the south park is a great love of mine. I go there regularly to take photos, and never get tired of watching the seasons change there. One of my favorite things to do has been to take the path along the inner part of the restored wetlands, all the way around to the (small) waterfall, and up to the lagoon. Sadly, in the last year, part of this path has become a gathering place for a lot of drunks, and it's no longer a pleasure to walk there. Nor is it necessarily particularly safe. But the outer edge of the wetlands is beautiful as well, and it's just as easy to follow it around to the lagoon where you'll often find migratory birds. There is so much to see here in every season, that repeat visits are almost a necessity. Give yourself a few hours. Go when the autumn colors are high and be prepared for a breathtaking experience. Go after a snowfall. Go when spring begins to overtake winter. Go in high summer and be overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of the life around you. Nature is right here in the city; embrace it. read more

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This is a great park with plenty of open space and is right next to the Northbranch trail. I've lived near this park for years, and never spent too much time here but I recently brought my son here after we got some snow only to realize this park is ideal for sledding. The minute you walk up to the park you have hills that are steep enough for for kids and even adults to enjoy. My son, my nephews and myself decided to grab our sleds on a whim and had a great time while we were here. If you are looking for a good spot to sled, definitely try this place out or shout out some strong recommendations. read more

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We love our park. I hope you love it too. Pick up after yourself. And leave the squirrel chasing for my doggie! read more

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You only need one word to sum up this park - BEAUTIFUL I haven't been to Gompers in years, so it was a wonderful surprise to see the park transformed into a sanctuary within the city. The southern part of the park is lovely - with a walking trail through a field of flowers next to the wetlands, a lagoon filled with ducks and geese, a pier where you'll see a few people fishing, a small waterfall, and plenty of trees, plants, and animals. Today we walked through the trails and admired the Fall colors around us. The northern part of the park across the street has a field house, a playground, and an outdoor pool. As we all know, the Chicago Park District offers plenty of programs for the whole family. Preschool, kids sports, music programs, dance, teen sports and club, seniors stretching classes, among others. For those who love sports, they have basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, football field, and I've seen soccer games on weekends. It's nearly 39 acres of park. Go here, take a walk, bring a picnic lunch, and just enjoy the beauty of this piece of nature in the city. I'm fortunate enough to live nearby, so that I can enjoy this park all year round. read more

I grew up in the neighborhood and have seen all the magnificent changes this park has gone through. If you grew up around here you know that there is a "little Gomps" and a "big Gomps", both of which are lovely. Over the course of the last few years, the city has poured a lot of money into beautifying the city and our park is one that has benefited greatly. The lagoon has been carefully maintained and has been encased in some lovely rock. They have built a cute little bridge and have made some great walking paths around it. I remember fishing there in day camp when I was six and I caught a sunfish. Yipee! Yes, I still remember. It's one of the highlights of my life. As I have gotten older, I have loved the park because it has given me countless moments of clarity while I have been running on it's comforting paths. Up the stairs, down the stairs, across the street to the other side of the park, over the bridge, around and back. Brilliant. It is definitely a neighborhood park. We love it and use it often. There is so much to do: basketball courts, tennis courts, running paths, baseball diamonds, a kiddie park, a pool, beautiful walking paths and a lagoon. If you are not from the neighborhood, I say come on over before the lovely snow overtakes it all. It is one of the rare gems in the city. It's a park that still is a park. It's not a cement field with a few trees that has become the poor excuse they call city parks, but it's a real park. It's the kind of park that you think about when you close your eyes and fantasize about a place that you can go to if you want to escape, and when you open your eyes...there's Gompers. Now go!! read more

Beautiful park, reminded me of the East Coast. I loved all the water--a lagoon with geese and mallards, the river; there was also a cute little red bridge and some lovely paths. Apparently it is also a bird and butterfly sanctuary, but sadly no butterflies were in sight. I look forward to going back on a sunnier day with a book and just sitting by the water relaxing and enjoying the greenery. read more

This is a perfectly acceptable park. I don't live within walking distance but could see how this would be a great asset for the immediate neighborhood. There is a large playlot in this park, which was the reason I stopped. I continue to be amazed that a city with the financial struggles that Chicago has has such clean and well maintained playgrounds. (I guess Alderman know what their constituents care about.) This playlot is not an exception to the high quality play options in the area. That being said this is not a destination play area (like a Winnemac might be). There is no obvious parking (except some side roads), and the play area is right on a major road (Foster). The area is fenced, so the road is not a safety issue, but it still makes the experience less enjoyable. read more

My pup and I love this park. People are mostly deaf pit bull friendly here. And believe it or call me a liah-liah-pants-a-fiah, I have never stepped in dog crap! It's nice to know there are some places where pet owners can walk barefoot through the dew without stepping in doo! Teehee. read more

Nice park and pool but very close to a fairly busy street. It is easy to fund and get to and has clean facilities to change.

It is indeed a lovely park. One of those great places you can just walk through and you don't really have to be "doing anything". No kite flying, no bags, no volleyball and you're still enjoying yourself. Pretty cool in my book. read more

This park is the gem of my neoghborhood and one of the loveliest in the city. It is divided into two pieces. Northern area has a pretty old fieldhouse, a pool and other general amenities. Southern park, in addition to tennis and basketball courts, contains a beautifully landscaped lagoon and an artestian well and a wetland with restored prairie plants as well as a savanna with some original trees. A lot of creatures live or visit here including turtles, muskrats and herons. It is exquisitely beautiful in mid-fall and in winter after a snow. Come and enjoy. read more

Really nice park! Nature walk through north end: Beautiful, lots of butterflies, interesting birds, all types of wildflowers... South end: I walked past the (mini) waterfall, along the edge of the water, to where it starts trickling from. Lots of ppl fishing... I quickly and easily saw a bullfrog (toad?), a few turtles, what i'm assuming was a goldfish, ducks, and some of the biggest tadpoles i have ever seen. Great for a quick nature break in the middle of the city! I was there on a sunday afternoon. It wasn't too crowded at all, just some nice groups enjoying the area. It seemed safe to me. read more

I and my pup are so lucky to live close to this wonderful park. We go there pretty much once a day. There is the Little Gompers on south side of Foster and Gompers on the north side next to the forest preserve. This is a paradise in the North Mayfair neighborhood. Fantastic all year round. Let's try and keep it clean folks! I.e. please clean up after yourself and use proper waste disposal and/or recycling bins for the good of us all! Thank you. read more

Grew up in This park nothing but positive things to say about this beautiful place I live Gompers park

Great place to take photos there is a semi-hidden river with adorable red bridges. They also have the most stunning weeping willows to take shade in and read a book during those breezy spring afternoons. read more

Not sure if it's just the season or what but there is HUGE amounts of goose poop in the baseball field area of Gompers. Stepping in it is unavoidable. Aside from this, a lovely park as long as you stay on the pond side. Squirrels a plenty for dogs to chase. The nature path around the pond always yields something interesting from heron to turtles to otters. read more

First and foremost I would just like to say that the section north of Foster is BIG GOMPS and the part south of it with the lagoon is LITTLE GOMPS. Having grown up across from the park my whole life it drives me nuts that Jean C.'s review pops up second on a google search for Gompers Park with the incorrect nicknames front and center for the world to see! As for the park itself, it's pretty spectacular. It's best parts include the lagoon and wetland, the stately (though run-down) Bohemian old-people's home standing guard at the east end of LITTLE GOMPS and the tree lined river running through the whole kit and kaboodle. There's also the softball fields, tennis courts, hockey court, outdoor pool and gymnasium that add to these natural features. A few things could be done to improve this park. Such as- getting the city to put in something a little less impossing than the four lights that glare over Samuel Gomper's statue would be good. Also, removing and rethinking the fences around the lagoon, along the river and on foster would make the park seem less URBAN and inaccessable. But those sour apples out of the way, go enjoy this Park! It's a beauty! read more

This Saturday, October 1, join your neighbors for the THIRD ANNUAL GOMP-TOBERFEST, a 21-and-over benefit with all proceeds going towards building the much-needed new playground at Gompers Park! Admission is $10. Bring your friends and join your neighbors for a not-to-be missed night out in the North Mayfair neighborhood. Rock the (field) house with great live music from local bands, featuring 45 Souls and the Damn Hoovers. Drink beer and wine (or stick with soft drinks and coffee). You must be 21 and over for this event, and IDs will be checked. Eat a slice of pizza from local legend Marie's Pizzeria or snack on popcorn, pretzels, gourmet desserts, and more delicious treats! Win a raffle where YOU CHOOSE THE PRIZE! The raffle features items from sports teams, businesses and cultural institutions, including the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Cubs, X-Sport Fitness, Harley Davidson and Starbucks, among others. Relax in the Coffee and Conversation Community room, offering Starbucks coffee and gourmet deserts with a space to chill out when you are just having too much fun! Have fun inside the field house! Why is the event inside this year? Last few years the first Saturday in October has graced us with freezing rain and unseasonably cold temperatures. Count on a great time -whatever the weather - at this year's fest! Gomp-toberfest 2011 is proudly presented by the Grow with Gompers Committee and the North Mayfair Improvement Association in partnership with the Chicago Park District with support from our Alderman, Margaret Laurino of the 39th Ward. Sponsors include Marie's Pizzeria and Liquors, the Swedish Covenant Hospital Associates' Board, Louis Glunz Beer Inc., Town and Country Distributors, Aqua Salon, Starbucks at Mayfair Plaza, and additional contributions from local businesses and individuals. read more

Unfortunately, the beautiful pool has young disrespectful, rude kids at the gate. I have gone there on Sundays all Summer. Today, for the first time, I was turned away at 3PM because I didn't have a child with me. I am almost 60 years old, and was told I could not go in, come back at 4PM. read more

Amazingly beautiful park! I was stunned that this was a small city park upon my first visit. The lagoon and wetland pond are screaming for photo ops as well as the beautiful twisted trees. They have the usual park like sports facilities too, but a visit just for the serene visuals would be worthwhile. The water areas are on the south end and most of the park is technically in North Mayfair. read more

One of the best parks in Chicago. Massive old oaks. Lots of wildlife. Worth a trip to visit in my opinion.

This park has everything. New playground. Sledding hills. Lagoon, with fishing. A wonderful place to take a walk or take the kids to use up some energy at the playground. read more

its a nice place to sit and relax and you can also have a great time if you are into that kind of thing lol .