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Sheil (Bernard) Community Center Park

Park Details

Main Address

3505 N. Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
United States

  • Tel: (312) 742-7826 | Main
Park Supervisor
Jennifer Runge
Park Hours
Open
| 6:00 am-11:00 pm

Sheil (Bernard) Community Center Park

Description

The inside of Sheil Park rivals the hustle and bustle of Southport Avenue where it’s located. The park, featuring a fieldhouse building and an adjacent new playground, is 0.47 acres and it keeps Lakeview residents healthy and active with affordable, quality indoor programs, and fun family events.

Sheil Park is known among parents for its fun and imaginative early childhood programs. A variety of classes engage preschoolers as young as six months in active play that emphasizes motor skill development and socialization skills. Whether it’s toddler camp, storytime, little tykes tumbling or kids in the kitchen, there is a class for every youngster, some requiring an accompanying parent, others not.

Many residents are drawn to Sheil Park for its established theater program, which introduces youth, teens and adults to the world of acting, directing and producing. Classes range from basic acting, to more specialized areas of improvisation, set design and scriptwriting. Sheil Park prepares its students for real live productions held each season, where they can demonstrate their craft.

Residents also choose Sheil Park for fitness, including aerobics, yoga and circuit classes, as well as open gym times. Others like to take it easy, joining a teen or senior club.

History

Sheil Community Center is located in the heavily-populated Lake View neighborhood, on land once occupied by the Hanson Laundry Company. The ¿ì²¥ÊÓÆµ purchased the property in 1972, demolishing the laundry plant shortly thereafter. In 1975, the Park District broke ground for a fieldhouse with a gymnasium, a craftshop, and clubrooms. The gymnasium is named for William E. Pollack (1909-1968), a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 13th District, in which the park lies. A native Chicagoan and a graduate of Lake View High School, Pollack served as the Republican leader for six of his nine terms in office.

In 1975, the Park District Board of Commissioners officially named the park Sheil Community Center to honor the memory of Archbishop Bernard J. Sheil (1886-1969), pastor at Lake View's St. Andrew's Catholic Church for more than three decades. A supporter of ecumenical efforts and of the rights of racial minorities and laborers, Archbishop Sheil was often referred to as "the friend of the little guy." His interest in young people led him to found the Catholic Youth Organization in 1930.

Additional Information

For directions using public transportation visit .

Contact: Kate Wynter, Vice President

Contact Email: sheilparkac@gmail.com

Capital Projects

Programs at Sheil (Bernard) Community Center Park

Most programs run from Tuesday, September 02 to Sunday, December 07 Online registration beings In-person registration begins
Instruction
Sports - Soccer
At least 3 but less than 6
From September 5, 2025 to December 5, 2025
Each Friday from 3:15pm to 4pm
Except the following dates:
Friday, Oct 31, 2025
Friday, Nov 28, 2025
$46.00
Instruction
Recreational
At least 1 years 6 months but less than 3 years 6 months
From September 5, 2025 to December 5, 2025
Each Friday from 10:15am to 11am
Except the following dates:
Friday, Oct 31, 2025
Friday, Nov 28, 2025
$46.00
Instruction
Recreational
At least 1 years 6 months but less than 3 years 6 months
From September 5, 2025 to December 5, 2025
Each Friday from 11:15am to 12pm
Except the following dates:
Friday, Oct 31, 2025
Friday, Nov 28, 2025
$46.00
Open
Sports - Pickleball
50 and up
From September 4, 2025 to December 4, 2025
Each Thursday from 2pm to 4pm
Except the following dates:
Thursday, Oct 30, 2025
Thursday, Nov 27, 2025
$10.00
Open
Sports - Pickleball
50 and up
From September 2, 2025 to December 2, 2025
Each Tuesday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Except the following dates:
Tuesday, Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday, Nov 25, 2025
$10.00
Open
Sports - Pickleball
50 and up
From September 3, 2025 to December 3, 2025
Each Wednesday from 11am to 1pm
Except the following dates:
Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025
$10.00
Instruction
Sports - Pickleball
18 and up
From September 5, 2025 to December 5, 2025
Each Friday from 1:30pm to 2:45pm
Except the following dates:
Friday, Oct 31, 2025
Friday, Nov 28, 2025
$20.00
Instruction
Sports - Pickleball
At least 8 but less than 13
From September 2, 2025 to December 2, 2025
Each Tuesday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Except the following dates:
Tuesday, Nov 25, 2025
$36.00
Open
Clubs
60 and up
From September 8, 2025 to December 1, 2025
Each Monday from 1:45pm to 3:30pm
Except the following dates:
Monday, Oct 13, 2025
Monday, Oct 27, 2025
Monday, Nov 24, 2025
$0.00
Open
Clubs
60 and up
From September 4, 2025 to December 4, 2025
Each Thursday from 1:45pm to 3:30pm
Except the following dates:
Thursday, Oct 30, 2025
Thursday, Nov 27, 2025
$0.00

Most programs run from Monday, June 16 to Sunday, August 10 Online registration beings In-person registration begins