chicago park park acre km2 park cottage grove avenue originally known grand boulevard located community area illinois named president george_washington largest chicago park district parks named persons washington chicago park proposed site olympic stadium olympic swimming venue chicago bid host summer olympics added national_register_of_historic_places august formation conceived chicago real estate magnate founded adjoining town lobbied establish efforts succeeded identified acres km2 south chicago large park connect downtown extant originally called south_park property composed eastern western divisions bearing names jackson hired partner lay park 1870s destroyed great chicago fire examined property saw field filled bare trees decided maintain character creating meadow surrounded trees plan park called sheep means keeping grass short convinced include sporting areas wanted natural feel park included acre lake western division renamed designed park broad cutting making chicago boulevard system midway east west north central city cleveland executed plans limitations financial setbacks fire including loss tax rolls depression vision generally realized spending park diverted great chicago fire loss financial backing difficulty taxes fire meant water park built property 1930s park housed impressive ornate sunken garden designed 56th street like city parks torn 1930s limited resources result great depression left lincoln park chicago main earliest improvements south open green pastoral meadow grazing sheep ball field architect firm designed limestone round stables administrative headquarters early attractions park included riding stables cricket grounds baseball fields slide ranges golf course bicycle paths row boats pits rose garden small zoo featuring lily pond lily pond pictured left particularly attraction seen site today administrative building houses park retained environmental appeal continuing visionary support plan supported maintenance park system history december president took tree planting ceremony park memorial boulder plaque removed park tree commemorated event 1920s black baseball teams played began playing tennis park site tension conflict arising demographic changes resulting african american expansion neighborhood period following world war park hosted leader promotion history art culture african american heritage today listed national_register_of_historic_places united_states registered historic district consisted acres km2 containing contributing buildings contributing structures contributing objects interesting sights park include sculpture garden sculpture distinctive national_guard social center south hosts festivals summer including chicago best organized cricket league terminus picnic largest league chicago played sundays called sunday teams play diamonds weekday evening league olympic bid september mayor announced olympic stadium proposed chicago bid summer olympics requires cities dome seating capacity order considered summer olympics hosts stadium seated initially games converted seat ground arena track field cultural events olympics cost estimated million usd plan replaced initial dual stadium opening ceremony facility additional details plan included new permanent hockey fields use new pedestrian halves park morgan drive 55th later december plan added olympic swimming venue park plan faced opposition holding view listing national_register_of_historic_places survived execution olympic plan addition opposition plan faced constraints park landmark status federal money build temporary stadium park decision october award summer games rio_de_janeiro halted plans
Washington Park (Chicago park)