Chicago Park District Oz Park

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Joined 10 years ago

Named in honor of L. Frank Baum, author of the famous Oz story, and once a nearby resident.. Background
Oz Park may not be as big as Lincoln Park or Grant Park, but it has famous roots. The author of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" once made his home in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, and in his honor the Chicago Park District set aside 13 acres of land in 1967. The park became home to the Oz Festival, an event held each summer for children and other "Wizard of Oz" enthusiasts. Eventually the festival outgrew the park and moved to a new location near Lincoln Park's lakefront.

Recreation
You'll find tennis courts, a playground and an athletic field for baseball and football games. In the Emerald Garden, visitors can take a seat on wrought-iron benches and enjoy foliage that gives the garden color all year round. Look for the Tin Man statue, sculpted by local artist John Kearney out of car bumpers.