Unlike most neighborhoods in Chicago, Buena Park has an abundance of greenery and recreational outdoor space right outside our doorstep. There is no shortage here of parks and outdoor sporting areas for you and your family to enjoy!
In Buena Park
Buena Circle Park
This 0.45 acre park is located in the Uptown community (approximately four blocks north of Irving Park Road, one block east of Graceland Cemetery). It contains a playground and is adjacent to the dog-friendly area at Challenger Park.
Address: 1049 W. Buena Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Website: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/buena-circle-park
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 6am – 11pm
Challenger Bark Park (Dog Park)
This small park features some shade, a doggie drinking fountain, a doggy pool (seasonal) and convenient parking in the adjacent lot!
Address:1100 W. Buena Ave. (at N Kenmore Ave.)
Website: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/challenger-dog-friendly-area
View the park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wisFIlRVm-Q&t=16s
Peace Garden
Seeking a little bit of tranquility? This quiet garden area, located in Uptown’s Buena Park neighborhood, features a smattering of native plants among a waterfall, pond and rock garden. Bring a blanket and a book to hang out away from the bustle of the nearby Lakefront Trail.
Address: 4200 Lakefront Trail, Chicago, IL 60640
Website: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/lincoln-park-peace-garden
Outdoor Exercise Park at Joseph Brennemann Elementary School
This outdoor gym has monkey-ladder, high bars (pull up bars), low bars, parallel bars, and ab benches for core workouts. A great outdoor option for calisthenics, freeletics, parkour, bodyweight exercises, outdoor fitness, and bootcamp workout.
Address: 4251 N Clarendon Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Lakefront Trail
Part of the 18.5 mile Chicago Lakefront Trail passes through Buena Park. It is a great trail for walking, jogging, and cycling, with separate walk/run and biking lanes to avoid congestion.
Trail Access Points: The trail is accessible from within Buena Park via the underpass at the corner of Montrose Ave and Marine Drive, or via the pedestrian underpass at Marine Drive and Buena Ave.
Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course
These nine holes of golf are all orientated parallel to the lake, offering unparalleled views of the water, multiple harbors, and the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago. Mature trees, an ongoing renovation of the sand traps, and immaculate greens all offer a challenge to all skill levels. Part of this course stretches through the Buena Park neighborhood along the Lakefront Trail.
Address: 3701 N Recreation Drive, Chicago, IL 60613
Website: https://sydneymarovitz.cpdgolf.com/
Just Outside of Buena Park
Montrose Beach
Montrose Beach is Chicago’s largest public beach and an absolute hot spot during the warmer months. It offers patrons amenities that include food concessions, kayak, and volleyball rentals, showers, and restrooms. Patrons can park at pay and display lots or street parking.
Hours: May – September – The beach is open from 6 am to 11 pm, but swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty, from 11 am to 7 pm daily.
Address: 4400 N. Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60613
Website: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/montrose-beach
Montrose Dog Beach
Chicago’s premier off-leash, dog-friendly beach! Located on the Northwest corner of Montrose Beach, this area is fenced and offers free dog waste bags and a dog-wash area. Montrose Dog Beach is open during all regular Chicago Park District hours, but morning hours are the most popular. Montrose Dog Beach is free to use with park and pay available and all dogs require a DFA tag.
Hours: Open 7-days a week, year-round from 6 am – 11 pm.
Address: 601 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL
Website: https://www.mondog.org/
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary attracts tens of thousands of migratory birds to stop for rest, food, and shelter each spring and fall. Within the natural area is “The Magic Hedge”, a 150-yard stretch of shrubs and trees, so-called because it attracts a curiously high number of migratory birds.
Hours: Open from dawn to dusk
Address: 200 W. Montrose Harbor Dr., Chicago, IL 60660
Website: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/lincoln-park-montrose-point-bird-sanctuary
Montrose Beach Track & Field
A 400-meter, 8-lane, synthetic running track that is well maintained and open to the public. The rubber surface acts like a springboard and provides superb shock absorption, making it ideal for runners.
Address: Lakefront Trial & W Wilson Dr, Chicago, IL 60640
Hours: 5am – 11pm
Cricket Hill
In this general area, you will find an artificial turf field as well as a combo grass football/soccer field. During the colder months after some fresh snowfall, Cricket Hill is swarming with people that flock out there to go sledding!
Address: 4500 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60607
Website: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/cricket-hill
Clarendon Community Center
Located in the Uptown community, Clarendon Community Center Park sits on 12.64 acres of land. The fieldhouse contains a fitness center, a gymnasium, and several clubrooms available for rental. Outside features two junior baseball and two softball fields, a two-hoop basketball court, two tennis courts, and a playground with an interactive water play area.
Address: 4501 N. Clarendon Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Website: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/clarendon-community-center-park
Clarendon Dog-Friendly Area
A small, fenced-off dog park with a water fountain.
Address: 4501 N Marine Drive – on the east side of Marine
Graceland Cemetery
Graceland Cemetery is one of Chicago’s finest hidden treasures. On the North Side, amongst the everyday hustle and bustle, lies a serene yet vibrant park-like cemetery. Graceland Cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent Chicago figures, including athletes, politicians, industrialists, and many of the finest architects of the last century. Stroll the winding paths on foot and admire the scenery – you won’t believe you’re still in the city! Beautiful year-round, but more so in the fall when the leaves are changing color.
Address: 4001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
Hours: Check their website for seasonal hours
Website: https://www.gracelandcemetery.org/
