FunKidsActivities
Bartelme (Mary) Park

Bartelme (Mary) Park

115 S Sangamon St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Overview

Category:Best Outdoor Playgrounds
Location:Chicago, IL

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Bartelme (Mary) Park is a small, contemporary urban park offering a children's playground, a dedicated dog park, and picturesque city views. It's a versatile spot for quick family outings, picnics, and hosts popular community events like a Saturday Farmers Market and cultural festivals such as Diwali. Its lit-up walkway makes it pleasant for evening visits.

Key Highlights

  • Features a children's playground suitable for young to mid-range kids.
  • Includes a dog park equipped with a plastic water pool and running water during summer months, plus free poop bags available at two locations.
  • Has a lit-up walkway, making it ideal for pleasant evening strolls.
  • Regularly hosts a popular Farmers Market on Saturdays, along with other community events like Diwali.
  • Offers beautiful urban views, appealing to visitors interested in photography or scenic relaxation.
  • Provides plenty of seating options throughout the park.

Standout Features

  • Children's playground.
  • Dog park with amenities: plastic water pool, running water (summers), and free poop bags.
  • Lit-up walkway.
  • Saturday Farmers Market and other cultural events (e.g., Diwali).
  • Beautiful urban views, great for photography.
  • Ample seating throughout the park.

Perfect For

Toddlers to Early School-Aged (2-8 years): The children's playground and open grass areas are suitable for this age range.
Families with Dogs: The dedicated dog park with water features is a major draw.
All Ages: Community events like the Farmers Market and picnics cater to a broad audience, including families and singles.

Ideal For

Casual family outings and picnics.
Families with dogs looking for a dedicated play space.
Quick visits to a playground without needing a large, all-day venue.
Evening strolls or walks with kids/dogs due to the lit-up pathway.
Experiencing local community events like the Saturday Farmers Market.
Combining outdoor play with photography or enjoying urban scenery.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • **Bring a picnic:** Outside food is allowed, making it perfect for budget-friendly meals on the grass.
  • **Visit on Saturdays:** Experience the Farmers Market for local goods and a lively atmosphere.
  • **Consider an evening visit:** The lit-up walkway offers a nice ambiance.
  • **Prepare for paid parking:** Ensure you have payment ready for street parking.
  • **For dog owners:** Take advantage of the dog park's water amenities, especially during warmer months, and the free poop bags.

Things to Consider

  • Described as 'small,' parents seeking a large park with extensive activities for extended visits might find options limited.
  • Parking is paid street parking, which may require prior planning for payment.

Price & Value

Entry to Bartelme (Mary) Park is completely free. The primary cost will be for paid street parking. With amenities like a playground, dog park, and hosting free community events, it offers excellent value for a no-cost urban outdoor experience.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accessibility features beyond a general 'lit-up walkway' were mentioned. Standard urban park accessibility should be expected.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Outside food is allowed, as evidenced by a review mentioning a picnic on the grass.

🚗Parking Info

  • Paid street parking is available.

👥Crowd Levels

  • The park hosts popular events like the Saturday Farmers Market and Diwali, attracting 'kids, dogs, families, singles,' indicating it can be lively and well-attended during these times. It managed safety protocols during COVID-19, suggesting it can handle a steady flow of visitors, but no explicit 'very crowded' warnings were given outside of event contexts.

🛡️Safety Features

  • A 'lit-up walkway' contributes to safety during evening visits. No other specific safety features like staff supervision or first aid were explicitly mentioned in the reviews.

When to Avoid

  • **If you're seeking extensive, all-day entertainment:** The park is described as 'small' and may not offer enough variety for a full day of activities.
  • **If you require free, dedicated on-site parking:** Parking is paid street parking.

Pricing/Package/Events

Events & Schedule

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Children’s play area offers ADA accessibility.
  • The Chicago Park District does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or admission/access to programs and activities.

📅Booking Policy

  • No booking required for general park use.

🚗Parking Information

  • No dedicated parking information provided. For directions using public transportation, visit www.transitchicago.com.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Oct 13, 2025

Photos

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What People Say

What's Great

  • Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)

Areas for Improvement

  • Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)

Recent Reviews

silvia kuo

silvia kuo

4 months ago

I had my own picnic on the grass here. There is a DIWALI event being held here.

Amber Farooq

Amber Farooq

5 months ago

Fun, fun and fun..... my kids loved it and they had a good time.

Nakia

Nakia

2 years ago

My daughter, dog, and I enjoyed this small park one evening. There is a playground, a lit up walkway, a large steel archway art piece with plenty of sitting for its size and a dog park with a plastic water pool and running water in summers. Our dog enjoyed the park and it was nice to find free poop bags at 2 sides. Small but nice. We 3 will visit again. By the way...paid street parking.

Tammy Owins

Tammy Owins

4 years ago

I manage the farmers market held Saturday’s in our beautiful park! During COVID-19 we still had Famers, yoga on the Hill, kids, dogs, families, singles spending time in the Park. The Market received great reviews from the City and shoppers as we were all able to execute safety protocols. Hoping we can get back to ‘normal’ next season.

Kenneth

Kenneth

9 months ago

A small contemporary urban park with such a beautiful view. West of the loop, this is a must see for tourists and photographers. Over decades this area has become a warehouse district to now and upscale residential area. There is a children’s playground included.

Contact Information

115 S Sangamon St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.7
Total Reviews1124
Recent Reviews5