Location:
1416-26 S.Hamlin Ave.
Chicago, IL 60623
Supervisor:
Shauneia McPhearson (Franklin Park)
Phone Numbers:
Main
(312) 747-7676
Hours
Park Hours
Description
Hornbeam Playground Park is located in the North Lawndale community. The park totals 0.35 acres and it features a playground and water feature that were renovated in Fall 2013 as part of the Chicago Plays! program. It is an active community park.
While there is no structured programming taking place at this location, we invite you to check out our great programs offered at nearby Franklin Park for recreation in the gym and fun in the outdoor pool.
History
The Chicago Park District acquired this once-vacant lot in 1969, officially designating it Hornbeam Park in 1974. The playlot was one of a number of parks named for trees and plants at this time.
The American hornbeam is a small deciduous tree also known as the blue-beech, the musclewood, and the ironwood. North American pioneers favored American hornbeams for carving bowls, dishes, and tool handles because their hard, heavy wood is not prone to splitting. Today hornbeam wood is most often used to manufacture piano striking hammers. The name hornbeam itself recognizes the tree's strength: in old English, "horn" means tough, while "beam" means tree.
