We're still exploring our new neighborhood and loving every moment. Today a nice long walk led us to Indian Boundary Park - a spot we'd driven past but had yet to explore. This park was amazing! A lagoon, prairie flowers and natural habitats, walking trails and even a really beautiful and seemingly well-built wood playground for kids...
AT on . . .Neighborhood Parks
While stumbling upon anything in a new neighborhood is fantastic (cafes, shops, produce markets, a great pizza place, and neighbors themselves), there's something even more satisfying when you find a relaxing spot outside. Parks can be welcoming and full of life or garbage strewn and desolate, so finding the perfect one really adds to one's general feeling of a neighborhood as an extension of your home.
What's your neighborhood park and why do you love it (or hate it)?
A bit of Indian Boundary Park history:
The Ridge Avenue Park District began acquiring land for Indian Boundary Park in 1915. Richard F. Gloede, a designer of North Shore estate landscapes, developed an early plan for the park. In the mid-1920s, the Ridge Avenue Park District opened a small zoo, one of only two zoos in Chicago and initially housing only a lone black bear. The 1929 Tudor-Revival fieldhouse designed by architect Clarence Hatzfeld features Native American-themed ornament inspired by the park's name. Indian Boundary Park is unusual in that its eastern lawn flows seamlessly into the front yards of neighboring apartment buildings. This park feature was so well-received that in the 1960s the Chicago Park District closed off part of adjacent Estes Avenue as well.
Top lagoon image via Greg Johanson.
Indian Boundary Park sign image via Forgotten Chicago.
Details about Indian Boundary Park here.
Comments (5)
Daily Email
Top Tours
- Plug-In House by Pierluigi Molteni
- Becke & Lee's Vintage Cabin
- Judy's Sunny & Stylish Family Home
- Lauren and Eric's Mixed-Use Modern Dwelling
- Nick, Jane & Luca's Colorful Space
Top Posts
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Hi Heather!
Living in Humboldt Park in Chicago is a wonderful place to be. I love it, and so does Oscar, our doggie. I guess the layout of the park was an inspiration for The Wizard of Oz. There are many lagoons, and ponds, winding gravel paths, bridges, and stone water hops. Also, if you dont know about it, there is a "Rose Garden," which is amazingly planted every year. Last year, they planted artichoke plants. One year, it was all spices. It is a great mix of nationalities, as Humboldt Park, the neighborhood has morphed over the years. Tennis courts, and baseball diamonds, and an off the record dog group.
It is spring, so enjoy!
view MichelleHumboldtPark's profile
You left out the best part of Indian Boundary park - the little zoo. There's not many animals, but they're fun to talk to and completely unexpected. Little kids love them.
My boyfriend's parents live on the park and that place gets lots of use in the summer. There's a ton of picnic-ers every weekend.
view Sharon R's profile
Sharon - i didn't see the zoo! although looking online i read about it when i came home. how did i miss it ?!
view heather's profile
it is back sort of behind the playground - it's an incredible thing to stumble upon though, the last thing you'd expect to find there.
view metromom's profile
The zoo is on the Estes street side of the park - hope that helps. Say hello to the cow for me!
view Sharon R's profile