LaFollette Park

La Follette Park, located in the Austin community of Chicago, Illinois, is a sizable public green space spanning 18.70 acres. The park features a large fieldhouse that serves as the centerpiece of its facilities. This fieldhouse contains an indoor pool, a gymnasium, a fitness center, an auditorium, and two kitchens, providing a variety of indoor recreational options for visitors.

The outdoor areas of La Follette Park offer numerous amenities for sports and leisure activities. The park includes basketball courts, baseball fields, tennis courts, and an artificial turf athletic field that can be used for football or soccer. For younger visitors, there are two playgrounds and an interactive water spray feature, adding to the park's family-friendly atmosphere. A pavilion is also available, offering a space for gatherings or shelter.

La Follette Park serves its community by hosting various programs and events throughout the year. During the school year, after-school programs are offered, and in the summer, the park runs a popular six-week day camp for youth. The park is also home to the La Follette Park Junior Bears Football team, which has built an impressive record over the years. Special events, such as pumpkin patches and Night Out in the Parks activities, are organized regularly, providing entertainment for families and community members.

The park's history dates back to 1918 when renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen envisioned it as part of a new type of neighborhood center. The West Park District acquired the property in 1919, but it remained unimproved for several years. In 1926, the park was officially named after Robert M. La Follette, a U.S. Representative, Senator, and three-term Wisconsin governor known for his Progressive reform efforts. The impressive Italian Renaissance Revival-style fieldhouse was constructed in 1927 following a voter-approved bond issue.

Today, La Follette Park continues to serve as an important recreational and community space in the Austin neighborhood, offering a wide range of activities and facilities for residents of all ages.