Berger (Albert) Park
Located on Sheridan Rd in the Edgewater Community Area, the 3.46 acre park overlooks beautiful Lake Michigan. As an early proponent of developing street-end beaches on Chicago's north side, Berger Park Cultural Center has now become a neighborhood icon.
Throughout the year the park hosts events such as Concerts, Movies in the Park, Mad Hatter Bunny, & Theater performances that have contributed to the cultural façade of Chicago’s north shore area. Boasting classes that include a variety of cultural programs such as Acting, Improv, Jewelry Making, Stained Glass, Ceramics, Drawing, Watercolor, Senior Line Dance, and much more. Proud partner to some of Chicago's finest arts organizations, Berger offers patrons the unique opportunity to attend productions by On the Spot, Synapse, & Roman Susan as well as enroll in Guitar & Piano classes from the Ultimate School of Guitar.
For those looking to get a little exercise we offer Walking Club and Conditioning. If you have little ones - check out the Play School program, Mom's, Pop's, & Tot's, Music movement, & Little Artists. We can't forget our seniors...we have a regular Tuesday afternoon Bridge Club, Chair Exercise, Low Impact Aerobics, plus more
This quaint historic landmark mansion features hardwood floors, original woodwork and antique light fixtures among other charming details--it could be the ideal place for your next special event.
The mansion also boasts a magnificent outdoor space along Lake Michigan with breathtaking views. Located just minutes from downtown, this unique space offers many opportunities for special event and meeting rentals including three rooms that can be used individually for intimate gatherings or together for functions that can accommodate up to 100 guests.
In July 2005, a new state-of-the-art playground was dedicated. The 8,000-square-foot playground has an ADA-accessible drinking fountain and ADA-accessible equipment. In addition, the new playground features a play area shaped like a pirate ship, new drainage, soft surface tiles and rubber surfacing, new walkways, new concrete curbing, trash cans, benches--including a mosaic art bench--and new landscaping.
Berger Park honors Albert E. Berger (1900-1950), a native Chicagoan and Edgewater Community Area resident. Berger, who lived with his family in one of the large homes that lined the Sheridan Road before 1950, was a tax consultant and real estate developer, and a member of numerous philanthropic and civic groups. He was also an early proponent of developing street end beaches on Chicago's north side. Such beaches met the summertime recreational needs of Edgewater residents who lived beyond easy reach of the Lincoln Park beaches. By 1937, the City's Bureau of Parks and Recreation was operating 27 street-end beaches, including one at the end of Edgewater's Granville Avenue, near Berger's home. Pursuant to the City and Park District Exchange of Functions Act, the City transferred Granville Beach and Park to the ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ in 1957. By this time, many of Edgewater's fashionable Sheridan Road homes had given way to modern high-rises. In an attempt to address the recreational needs of the many apartment dwellers, the City in 1976 constructed a playground along the northern right-of-way of Granville Avenue, leasing it to the Park District. Residents of the crowded Edgewater community still needed more parkland. In 1974, the Park District purchased land from the Clerics of St. Viator and in 1981 purchased additional land from the Clerics of St. Viator to expand the park. The property included two of the few remaining Sheridan Road mansions, the south one designed by William Carbys Zimmerman and the north one by Myron H. Church. In 1988, the Park District rehabilitated the homes, which are used as a recreational building and a cultural center, respectively. Berger Park offers many activities, including senior aerobics; computer, jewelry making, and writing classes; and theater and music programs for children and adults.
For directions using public transportation visit .
Contact: Barbara Button, Vice President
Contact Email: bergerparkadvisorycouncil@gmail.com
Meetings: 3rd Thursday of the month @ 6:30pm
Capital Projects
Facilities at Berger (Albert) Park
Programs at Berger (Albert) Park
Each Saturday from 9:30am to 10:15am
Each Saturday from 9:30am to 10:30am
Each Thursday from 12pm to 3pm
Each Thursday from 5pm to 8pm
Each Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm
Except the following dates:
Friday, Jul 4, 2025
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 9am to 3pm
Except the following dates:
Friday, Jul 4, 2025
Each Saturday from 3pm to 5pm
Each Wednesday,Friday from 10:30am to 1:30pm
Except the following dates:
Friday, Jul 4, 2025
Each Saturday from 11am to 12pm
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 9am to 12pm