Green Briar Park
Chicago, IL 60659
Chicago's West Ridge community grew significantly between 1920 and 1930, its population increasing from 7,500 to nearly 40,000 during that decade. In 1925, the River Park District purchased a 3.3-acre tract of land in the Green Briar subdivision of the West Ridge community - the northernmost section of that Park District's territory. The following year, landscape architect and River Park District board member Jacob L. Crane, Jr. developed a plan for the rectangular park. The plan was featured as a model of good recreational design in Parks: A Manual of Municipal and County Parks. Lack of funds delayed park improvement until 1928, however, when the Chicago Landscape Company implemented a modified version of Crane's plan. That same year, the Park District erected an elegant, 2-story, tile-roofed brick field house with a 300-seat assembly hall designed by Chicago architect Clarence Hatzfeld. Hatzfeld designed a number of notable buildings in Chicago's parks, including revival-style field houses in Indian Boundary, Portage, and Independence Parks. In 1934, the River Park District and Chicago's 21 other independent park boards were consolidated into the newly-created Chicago Park District. Shortly thereafter, the Chicago Park District constructed a wading pool and tennis courts at Green Briar Park. A new soft surface playground was added in 1991.
2014 Holiday House Walk, page 14
The houses open today are very near Green Briar Park, which boasts one of the Chicago Park District's historic field houses designed by Clarence Hatzfeld, (1873-1943). Built in 1928, this elegant two-story, tile-roofed field house features a gymnasium and on the second floor a 300-seat auditorium. Hatzfeld designed hundreds of handsome Craftsman, Prairie, and Revival-style houses (including over 20 in the Villa Park suburb, as well as commercial buildings and Masonic Temples in Chicago and nearby communities. Many of his structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. but he is probably best known for his nearly 24 Chicago field houses, including the one at Indian Boundary Park.
Photos
RPWRHS photo C043-16962 shows Green Briar Park, 2650 W. Peterson Avenue, social dancing in the field house, circa 1950.
RPWRHS photo C043-25609 shows Green Briar Park, 2650 W. Peterson Avenue, Teenagers dancing to music of Jump Meyers and his Solid Six in the field house, circa 1950.
RPWRHS photo C043-32270 shows the Green Briar Park, 2650 W. Peterson Avenue, Girl Scouts meeting in the field house, August 7, 1946.
RPWRHS photo O001-0101 shows the Green Briar Park, 2650 W. Peterson Avenue, 7th Grade basketball team, 1952.
