Ridge Park (Chicago)

Ridge Park was the first of five Beverly neighborhood parks created by the Ridge Park District one of 22 independent park boards consolidated into the Chicago Park District in 1934 Soon after its 1908 establishment the Ridge Park District began a search for park property Enthusiastic residents advocated the purchase of property along Longwood Drive already the site of fine homes set in spacious grounds The park district agreed and in 1911 and 1912 purchased 9 32 acres of property including a small city owned park The new park was named Ridge Park for the tree studded ridge that runs along the park s western boundary the one time shore line of glacial Lake Chicago The park district soon adopted plans for a fieldhouse and in 1913 installed a water system a baseball diamond and a playground all surrounded by a restful landscape of trees shrubbery flowers lawns and walks