LeClaire-Hearst Park
Located in the Garfield Ridge community, LeClaire-Hearst Park totals 12.53 acres and features a fieldhouse with a gymnasium, a kitchen and meeting rooms. Outside, the park offers basketball courts, baseball fields, an athletic field for football or soccer, a playground, tennis courts and a community garden. The playground at LeClaire-Hearst Park was renovated in Fall 2015 as part of Mayor Emanuel’s Chicago Plays! Program.
Many of these spaces are available for rental. Park-goers can play seasonal sports or participate in recreation programs at the facility. After school programs are offered throughout the school year, and in the summer youth attend the Park District’s popular six-week day camp. LeClaire-Hearst Park also offers an early childhood program through a partnership with the Hull House.
In addition to programs, LeClaire-Hearst Park hosts fun special events throughout the year for the whole family, such as holiday celebrations, Black History month activities and other Night Out in the Parks events.
The ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ planned and developed LeClaire-Hearst Park in conjunction with the Chicago Housing Authority's construction of the nearby LeClaire Courts public housing project. The Park District acquired land for the park from the C.H.A. in 1968 and expanded the park with land acquired from the Board of Education in 1991. In 1970 and in 1995, streets were vacated in order to expand the park property.
In 1974, the park was officially designated LeClaire Courts - Hearst Community Park for the neighboring communities. LeClaire Courts, which opened in 1950, was Chicago's first attempt at integrated, low-rise public housing. The complex takes its name from Antoine Le Claire, a fur trader and government interpreter who came to Chicago with John Kinzie (1763-1828) in 1809. LeClaire Street, which terminates at the south edge of the park, also bears his name. Hearst is the single-family residential community south of 45th Street. Its name derives from that of philanthropist Phoebe Apperson Hearst (1842-191), mother of newspaper publisher and businessman William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951).
For directions using public transportation visit .
Contact: Beverly Presswood, President
Contact Email: mssweetblp@aol.com
Facilities at LeClaire-Hearst Park
Programs at LeClaire-Hearst Park
Each Thursday from 5pm to 6pm
Each Tuesday,Thursday from 11am to 1pm
Except the following dates:
Thursday, Nov 27, 2025
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Except the following dates:
Thursday, Nov 27, 2025
Each Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Friday from 9am to 2pm
Each Tuesday from 10am to 11am
Each Friday from 11am to 12pm