Gately Park
| Gately Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | 10201 South Cottage Grove Avenue Chicago, IL, Chicago, Illinois[1] |
| Area | 22.78 acres (9.22 ha) |
| Established | 1947 |
| Owned by | Chicago Park District |
| Public transit access | ME at 103rd Street/Rosemoor 4, 34, 106, 115 |
| Website | https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/gately-james-park |
Gately Park is a public park in the Pullman neighborhood of Chicago.
History
The park was built in 1947 on land previously owned by the Pullman Car Company. It was established in aims of serving the growing residential population of the area, which was expanding in the years following the World War II.[2] It was created as part of a ten year post-war plan by the Chicago Park District to add new parks to underserved neighborhoods.[1]
Further improvements to the new park began in 1950, ultimately including a sports stadium, locker rooms, and a structure housing offices.[2] In 1953, the park was named for businessman James H. Gately, the then-incumbent president of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners. Gately himself had voted against the name change, which went against the park district's tradition of avoiding naming parks after living people.[1]
Gately Stadium
| Address | 810 East 103rd Street[3] Chicago, Illinois United States |
|---|---|
| Operator | Chicago Public Schools |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Type | Stadium |
| Current use | Football, Soccer |
| Public transit | ME at 103rd Street/Rosemoor 4, 34, 106, 115 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1955 |
| Renovated | 2011 |
| Tenants | |
| |
Inside the park is Gately Stadium, one of seven stadiums operated by Chicago Public Schools, which play host to Chicago Public League sporting events.[3] As of 2022, it hosted approximately 1,000 games each year.[4]
The stadium was first opened in 1955.[3] It was renovated in 2011 with funding donated by the Chicago Bears, and seats 5,000 spectators. It is the largest high school football stadium on the South Side of Chicago.[5]
Immediately after opening, the stadium began seeing use by American football teams of the Chicago Public League and Chicago Catholic League.[2]
In 1959, a temporary outdoor velodrome was erected at the stadium to host the track cycling competition of the 1959 Pan American Games.[6]
Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center
The park is home to the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center at Gately Park.[7] In August 2018, ground was broken at the park to construct the facility, which is the city's first indoor public facility dedicated to the sport of track and field. The facility is 139,000 square feet (12,900 m2), and features a 8-lane hydraulically-banked track.[2] It is the first hydraulically-banked 200-meter track in the religion.[7]
The facility has seating for 3,500 spectators,[2] and has hosted NCAA Division I track competitions (including the Blue Demon Alumni Classic).[8]
The facility is also used as a local youth and high school training facility for various other sports.[2]
The building and adjacent fieldhouse also includes space used by After School Matters, which established programs in its space at the park in 2021.[9][10]
Other facilities
The park also features a fieldhouse/"clubhouse",[1][11] used for various youth programs.[1] Wendell Park Elementary School[12] is located inside of the field house.
The park also features baseball and softball diamonds, a playground, and outdoor basketball courts.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Gately (James) Park". Chicago Park District. August 19, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "Mayor Emanuel And Chicago Park District Join Local Officials And Community Members To Break Ground On The Public Indoor Track Facility At Gately Park". Chicago.gov. August 19, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Facilities". Chicago Public Schools (IL). Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Sabino, Pascal (July 27, 2022). "Knute Rockne Stadium Won't Be Ready For Fall Sports After Renovation Delayed By Work Stoppage At Illinois Quarries". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ^ "Historic Gately Stadium Reopens After Facelift". Chicago Tribune. October 14, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Historic Velodromes & 6-day venues". Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ a b "Facility Info | Dr. Conrad Worrill Track and Field Center at Gately Park". Gately Track and Field. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ "Loyola Track Set for Pair of Weekend Meets". Loyola University Chicago Athletics. February 10, 2026. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ^ "After School Matters – Gately Park". Eckenhoff Saunders. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
- ^ "Gately Park". After School Matters. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
- ^ "Fieldhouses". Chicago Park District. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
- ^ "Gately (James) Park, 744 E 103rd St, Chicago, IL 60628, US - MapQuest". Mapquest.com. Retrieved March 22, 2026.