Russell Square Park

Russell Square Park, located in the South Chicago neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, is a 9.99-acre public park. Established in 1905, the park was part of a visionary project by South Park Commission Superintendent J. Frank Foster, who conceived it along with nine other revolutionary parks to provide social services and recreational spaces for overcrowded tenement neighborhoods on Chicago's south side.

The park is named after Martin J. Russell (1845-1900), a native Chicagoan who served as a Lieutenant in the Union Army during the Civil War and later had a career in journalism. Russell also served on the Board of Education and the South Park Commission.

Russell Square Park features both indoor and outdoor facilities. The park's fieldhouse, which replaced the original building in 1967, contains a gymnasium, fitness center, and multi-purpose rooms. These spaces are available for rental, including the gymnasium and multi-purpose clubrooms.

Outdoors, the park offers a variety of recreational facilities. Visitors can enjoy a swimming pool, multi-purpose ball fields, a walking trail, and basketball and sand volleyball courts. The park also includes a playground with a rubberized surface for added safety.

Throughout the year, Russell Square Park hosts various programs and events. These include the Park Kids after-school program, seasonal sports, Inter-City Basketball/Baseball, badminton, and Junior Bears Football. During the summer, the park offers a six-week day camp and specialty camps, including Sports Camp. The park also organizes special events for families, such as the Park Showcase and Turkey Trot.

Russell Square Park serves as a vibrant community hub, providing diverse recreational opportunities and green space for residents of the South Chicago neighborhood. Its mix of indoor and outdoor facilities, along with its varied programming, makes it a valuable resource for physical activity, social interaction, and community engagement.