The Neighborhood

One of Chicago’s up-and-coming neighborhoods, McKinley Park is unique for its active community members and namesake landmark park. Formerly an iron and steel manufacturing district, McKinley Park has gone through a vast transformation over the years – becoming an attractive urban community that continues to grow and flourish.

Just southwest of downtown between Western and Ashland Avenues, McKinley Park offers residents plenty of space and open, green areas without being far from the city. Nearby schools, shopping, restaurants and public transportation encourage the wave of new residential developments and affordable single-family homes going up in the area. With a range of flats, townhouses, gated communities and even the occasional century-old vintage home – the neighborhood’s charming mix of architecture appeals to a diverse group of residents.

Spanning 69-acres of the neighborhood’s southwest corner is McKinley Park. Named in honor of the nation’s 25th president William McKinley a year after his assassination, the city commissioned the park to provide a space for public services and recreation. The park has undergone a major facelift since it first opened in 1902. A recent $2.5 million renovation left the park in good shape for both newly established and long-term residents to enjoy. Besides holding many different community events year round, McKinley Park has an attractive lagoon, outdoor ice-skating rink, tennis courts, swimming pool, walking trails and acres of scenic green grass.

The neighborhood’s main thoroughfares offer retail, dining and entertainment with most of the action concentrated down 35th Street, Archer, Ashland and Western avenues. Riverside Square is a large shopping center at the intersection of Archer and Ashland. Additional stores are scattered throughout the area, as are restaurants, bars and other services. Annual street festivals celebrate the various cultures represented by McKinley Park’s population of over 15,000 – and are an ideal opportunity to sample traditional dishes from all over the world.

Map/Transportation

Whether you want to dart downtown or head out to the suburbs – everything is a quick trip away from McKinley Park.

  • Easy entrance from the neighborhood to nearby Stevenson Expressway (I-55) and speedy access to 90/94
  • CTA Orange Line L runs from Chicago Midway to the Loop with two stops in McKinley Park at 35th/Archer and Ashland
  • Bus line routes going north-south and east-west make getting anywhere in the neighborhood quick and easy or take Bus 62 for a straight shot to the Loop
  • Minutes from Chicago Midway Airport – long-distance travel is a snap

Schools

With a mix of public and private schools located in the neighborhood, families find McKinley Park the ultimate place to live – and learn.

Brighton Park Elementary School
3825 S. Washtenaw Ave.
(773) 535-7237

Burroughs Elementary School
3542 S. Washtenaw Ave.
(773) 535-7226

Everett Elementary School
3419 S. Bell Ave.
(773) 535-4550

McKinley Park Elementary School
2744 W. Pershing Rd.
(773) 535-4180

Shields Elementary School
4250 S. Rockwell St.
(773) 535-7285

St. Andrew Lutheran
3659 S. Honore St.
(773) 376-5370

Namaste Elementary Charter School
3540 S. Hermitage Ave.
(773) 715-9558

Chicago Children’s Choir Elementary Charter School
3737 S. Paulina St.
(773) 890-4720