Welles Park

Welles Park, also known as Gideon Welles Park, is a 15.84-acre public park located in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood at the intersection of Lincoln and Montrose Avenues. Established in 1910 by the Lincoln Park Commission, the park is named after Gideon Welles, who served as Secretary of the Navy under President Abraham Lincoln from 1861 to 1869.

The park serves as a popular gathering place for local residents, offering a variety of recreational facilities and activities. Its centerpiece is a modern fieldhouse, which replaced the original small structure in 1970. The fieldhouse contains an indoor pool that is open year-round for lap swimming, aqua exercise, and swimming instruction.

Outdoor amenities include baseball fields, tennis courts, and a playground. In 2004, the Chicago Park District installed a green, wrought-iron, European-style gazebo on the west side of the park. This gazebo, equipped with electricity for lights and sound, serves as a venue for outdoor concerts, storytelling, and other performances.

In 2010, the park district unveiled a new ADA-accessible playground with a soft surface, providing an inclusive space for children of all abilities. The park also features horseshoe pits, offering a leisurely game option for visitors.

Welles Park is not just a space for physical activities; it also provides programs for preschoolers, including tot soccer, floor hockey, tumbling, and various play groups. Additionally, the park offers therapeutic recreation programs for adults and children with disabilities.

The park has historical significance beyond its recreational offerings. In the 1920s, Abe Saperstein, who would later found the Harlem Globetrotters, began his career as a basketball coach in the Welles Park fieldhouse.