Located at 7140 S. King Drive in the Park Manor community, Meyering Park totals 3.69 acres and features two multi-purpose clubrooms. Outside, the park offers an interactive spray pool, baseball diamonds, two playgrounds, multi-purpose fields, and basketball courts. Many of the spaces, including clubrooms and outdoor field are available for rental.
Park-goers can participate in seasonal sports, kick boxing and other fitness programs. After school programs are offered throughout the school year, and in the summer youth attend the Chicago Park District’s popular six-week day camp.
In addition to programs, Meyering Park hosts various special events throughout the year for the entire family.
History
The City of Chicago established Meyering Park in 1926 on Board of Education property in the heart of the Greater Grand Crossing community. By 1930, the Bureau of Parks and Recreation had added a small recreational building with open shelters at each end and installed a playfield that could be flooded for ice skating in winter. In 1947 the shelters were enclosed to create an entirely year-round facility. A few years later, the city built a spray pool in the park. The Chicago Park District assumed management of Meyering Park in 1959, redesigning the landscape and remodelling the fieldhouse during the 1960s. In 1991, the Board of Education transferred ownership of the property to the park district, which soon rehabilitated the athletic field, constructed a walking trail, and installed an interactive waterplay area. The park honors William D. Meyering (1893--1976), 8th Ward Alderman from 1923 through 1930. Though parks were often named for standing aldermen in the 1920s, Meyering had also distinguished himself through his military service n World War I, during which he lost his right arm. Cited for his gallantry, Meyering became the first living American to receive the Distinguished Service Cross. The French government awarded him the Croix de Guerre. After resigning as alderman, Meyering was elected to a single term as Cook County Sheriff. Six years later, he was appointed Chief Probation Officer for Cook County, a position he held until his retirement in 1972.
For directions using public transportation visit www.transitchicago.com.