West Pullman Park

West Pullman Park is a 16.33-acre community park located in the West Pullman neighborhood on the far south side of Chicago, Illinois. The park was created in the early 20th century by the West Pullman Park District to serve the developing industrial community in the area.

The park features both indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. Inside, visitors will find an indoor swimming pool, two gymnasiums, and multi-purpose clubrooms available for community use. The indoor spaces host various programs throughout the year, including after-school activities, seasonal sports, arts and crafts classes, and a senior club.

Outdoors, the park offers several athletic facilities including tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball and softball fields, and a playground for children. There is also a spray pool for cooling off during hot summer days. One of the park's distinctive features is its natural savanna area, which preserves a portion of the site's original landscape and provides a glimpse of the native ecology.

West Pullman Park has retained much of its natural beauty over the years. The park is home to a mature stand of oak, hickory, and cherry trees that cover an ancient river bank, making it one of Chicago's few remaining native landscapes. This wooded slope adds to the park's scenic value and provides shade for visitors.

Throughout the year, West Pullman Park hosts various community events and programs. During the summer, the park is a popular spot for the Chicago Park District's six-week day camp program. The park also organizes holiday-themed events and other special activities for families in the neighborhood.

The park has a rich history tied to the industrial development of the West Pullman area. In its early years, it played a significant role in providing both recreational facilities and social welfare programs to the diverse community of European immigrants and industrial workers who lived nearby.