River Park fieldhouse, 2011.
I wish I had a story to post this week, but haven’t had a chance to revisit the past for a while. Modern technology, however, is requiring me to send this test post out because I’ve switched to a different program to distribute the Me & My Shadow blogposts to subscribers. (If you are getting this email, it’s because you signed up for it.)
I’m now using Mail Chimp for all subscriptions so you may notice something different when you receive the next posts.
I’m not going to let a good opportunity go to waste, though; thank you for continuing to read the blog and share your stories.
Best,
Frances
Ben, From 1958 – Feb 1963, my family lived at Argyle and Washtenaw, so River Park was our home away from home too.
I remember that field house at River Park so well. I lived just down the street at California and Carman for all of my growing-up years. i went there all the time for activities and especially liked the wood shop in the basement where I learned so much about making things out of wood. The pool was great in the Summer and that is where I learned to swim. River Park East was like a second home for me and I remember it and think about it alot.
Hi, Arnie. I started going to activities at River Park when I was 4. I have a photograph somewhere of my sister and I in a dance recital there.
Hi, Jerry. I think you are right about the pool. I have the information written down somewhere. Thanks for stopping by.
Fond memories of little league games at the park.
I am 100% sure that the Swimming Pool at River Park was Opened during the summer of 1947.
The archives say it was 1948. I recall meeting Jim Thorpe and seeing Flash Gordon/Buster Crabb dedicated the River Park Pool. It was built on the site of the WWll Victory Garden. River Park had many big trees and pockets of pastures and was made up of 2 parks divided by the
North Branch of the Chicago River. At one point, even I could jump across the little stream of water that ran between first and 2nd parks. In recent news that is the sight of the 2013 Spring flood,and Mayor Emanuel talking of a new billion dollar project to keep North Albany Park from flooding in the future.