Kevin / August 11, 2003 12:51 AM

I'm partial to Welles Park (Montose/Western/SunnySide/Lincoln) dues to it's size, variety of activities and proximity to our house.

Wiz of Odds / August 11, 2003 1:22 AM

I have a feeling most people are going to vote for parks near their homes. For that reason, I'm going for one I dimly recall playing at as a kid: Warren Park, which is the unofficial border between East and West Rogers Park. It was there in the late 80s that many a kid had their Air Jordans ripped from their feet.

Andrew / August 11, 2003 8:29 AM

It's probably going to pop up on this list a few times, but Lincoln Park is my favorite. What other park has miles of beach, a zoo, three marinas and a museum in it?

My second vote, just for the name, would be the dog park on Sheffield south of Diversey: Wiggly Field.

j3s / August 11, 2003 9:07 AM

Keeping with proximity, I vote for Humboldt Park, where I frequently ride my bike. Yesterday I spent four hours there lounging on a blanket with a friend, enjoying the fabulous weather. Besides a ton of open space, it's also got lots of amenities: fishing lagoon, non-lake beach, boathouse, fieldhouse, playgrounds, bike trails, volleyball and tennis courts.

Paul / August 11, 2003 9:13 AM

I enjoy Welles Park too (for its proximity to our house, Kevin) but I still think Grant Park is the best. The view either west or east is fantastic.

When I was going to Columbia, I found myself with hours between classes one day. I went out to Grant Park and lay down on the grass, just looking back towards the skyline. It was one of those college moments. And then a guy in a passing car yelled, "WAKE UP!" so I flipped him off. That, too, was a college moment. In Grant Park.

Mark Piotrowski / August 11, 2003 9:23 AM

though I've never been there, Piotrowski Park (supposedly on the Southwest Side) is, for obvious reasons, my favorite park.

brian / August 11, 2003 10:04 AM

Even though the parks on the North Side are cool, I really dig the ones on the South Side. I love McKinley Park in the fall; I think it's my favorite. I also like Washington park - it the spring it gets this huge carpet of purple flowers that is so pretty.

One of my other favorite spots is to go behind the museum of Science and Industry. There's a beautiful staircase that looks over the pond/lagoon, and it's a lovely place for picnics.

Rainbow Park is neat too.

Naz / August 11, 2003 10:18 AM

I can't say I have a favourite park, as many of you have mentioned each park has it's own thing and I have spent much time in many different ones. It's almost as if Chicago is just one big park and thus my vote goes to Chicago: One Big Park.

Alice / August 11, 2003 10:22 AM

I also vote for Grant Park. Laying on a blanket on a summer night in Grant Park, listening to a concert at the Petrillo bandshell, the Chicago skyline on one side, the lake on the other - it's just a beautiful, magical, wonderful experience that makes me fall in love with the city all over again everytime.

amyc / August 11, 2003 10:39 AM

The city is in fact one big park, Naz. Chicago's motto is Urbs in Horto, or "City in a Garden." For all Daley's faults and quirks, the man sure does love green space.

kegz / August 11, 2003 10:58 AM

If we're talking Chicago only, I'd vote Lincoln Park. I think the preserved public lakefront is one of the best parts about the city.

If I can pick anywhere, I'd vote for Boston Commons/Public Garden. It fits perfectly into its surroundings.

+mojan. / August 12, 2003 9:12 AM

Grant Park. I've never flipped anyone off there, but I have enjoyed the view of the skyline for hours.