West Loop · Parks

Parks in the West Loop, Chicago

The West Loop has 5 Chicago Park District parks inside its borders, totaling about 25.1 acres. Two are full community parks with fieldhouses and pools (Union and Skinner); two are small neighborhood parks built around their playgrounds (Mary Bartelme, Heritage Green); one is an unnamed pocket park at the east edge of Fulton Market. Several more parks sit just outside the West Loop's borders — listed below.

Community-run and privately-owned public parks

Two West Loop public spaces sit outside the Chicago Park District system — one a privately-owned public park behind a downtown office tower, the other a community-funded dog park across from Skinner.

• The Green at 320 — 1.5-acre privately-owned public park at 320 S Canal, the largest in the Central Business District. 10,000-square-foot oval lawn, seating alcoves, and an amphitheater behind the 320 S Canal office tower. Connected to Union Station via pedway. Free public programming includes live music, films, fitness classes, farmers markets, and Chicago Poetry Center poetry nights. thegreenat320southcanal.com ↗
• West Loop 569 Bark Park — community-funded off-leash dog park at 1358 W Monroe, across from Skinner Park. Half-acre lot with tree-shaded walkways, rockery, and lush turf, plus seated areas for owners. Operating since 2014; 100% donation funded. Hosts breed-specific meet-ups, puppy prom, and annual costume and birthday parties. 569barkpark.org ↗

Just outside the West Loop

These Chicago Park District parks sit immediately outside the West Loop's borders but are easily reachable by foot or bike from most West Loop addresses. Each links to the Chicago Park District page for the park.

• Eckhart Park — 8.12 ac, 1330 W Chicago Ave. Just north of the Kennedy Expressway, in West Town. Closest neighborhood pool to WL (Mary Bartelme has no pool). CPD page ↗
• Touhy-Herbert Park — 2.98 ac, 2106 W Adams St. Just west of Damen Avenue, in Near West Side. CPD page ↗
• Garibaldi Park — 2.45 ac, 1520 W Polk St. In Little Italy, south of the Eisenhower Expressway. CPD page ↗
• Sheridan Park — 3.91 ac, 910 S Aberdeen St. South of the Eisenhower Expressway in Near West Side. CPD page ↗
• Arrigo Park — 6.45 ac, 1250 W Lexington St. In Little Italy, with the city's Christopher Columbus statue (removed 2020). CPD page ↗

Frequently asked questions

How many parks are in the West Loop?

5 Chicago Park District parks sit inside the West Loop neighborhood, totaling about 25.1 acres. Several more — Eckhart, Touhy-Herbert, Garibaldi, Sheridan, Arrigo — sit just outside the West Loop's borders and are easily reachable.

Which West Loop parks have a playground?

Union Park, Skinner Park, Mary Bartelme Park, Park No. 551. Eckhart Park (just north of the Kennedy) also has a playground.

Is there a dog park in the West Loop?

Mary Bartelme Park and Park No. 551 have dog-friendly areas flagged by the Chicago Park District. Mary Bartelme's dog area sits at the center of the neighborhood, with mister arches and a fenced run.

Where can I swim in the West Loop?

There is no public pool inside the West Loop. The closest Park District outdoor pool is at Union Park (1501 W Randolph); the closest indoor pool is at Eckhart Park (1330 W Chicago Ave, just north of the Kennedy).

Which parks have restrooms?

Union Park has a fieldhouse with public restrooms during open hours. Smaller West Loop parks (Mary Bartelme, Heritage Green, Park No. 551) do not have fieldhouse restrooms. Skinner Park's fieldhouse footprint is not flagged in the City dataset; visit in person to confirm.

What is Park No. 551?

Park No. 551 is a 1.02-acre Chicago Park District park at 353 N Des Plaines St, on the north edge of Fulton Market. The City has not given it a memorial name; it is listed by its assigned park number. CPD records flag it with a playground and a dog-friendly area.

Keep exploring

• About the West Loop Neighborhood guide, ZIP codes, boundaries
• Parking in the West Loop Meters, permits, snow routes, garages
• West Loop at a glance Census demographics and ZIP profile
• Upcoming events Public events at neighborhood parks
• Randolph Restaurant Row Mary Bartelme Park sits in this sub-area
• Map Every business and park plotted by address