Loyola Beach

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Loyola Park

1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue

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Loyola Park originally called North Shore Park, was the sole park created by the North Shore Park District, one of 22 independent park boards consolidated into the Chicago Park District in 1934. Unlike most of these park boards, the North Shore District, formed in 1900, was at first interested only in enhancing the area through boulevard improvements along Sheridan Road, Pratt Boulevard, and Ashland Avenue. By 1905, however, public pressure had prompted the district to consider park development. The district spent several years mulling its options. Finally, in 1909, at the urging of the Rogers Park Women's Club, the North Shore District determined to concentrate its resources on purchasing land for a single beachfront park and boating basin known as North Shore Park. Shortly thereafter, noted landscape architect and engineer Ossian Cole Simonds developed plans for a pier at the site, but these were never realized. By 1917, the North Shore District had acquired more than nine acres of lakeshore property. A small fieldhouse, built in 1923, soon provided game and club rooms. Playfields were flooded for ice skating in winter; in 1929, the local American Legion post erected a shelter house for skaters.

Several years after the Chicago Park District took over in 1934, local residents asked that North Shore Park be renamed. The park district agreed, and held a contest to choose a new name. Neighborhood residents favored the name Loyola Park, for nearby Loyola University. The Jesuits began to develop this important Rogers Park institution in 1906, when they purchased a 20-acre site between Devon and Loyola Avenues. During the 1930s, the University raised its neighborhood profile substantially by constructing a number of dramatic Art Deco buildings, including the Madonna della Strada Chapel. Around 1950, the Chicago Park District more than doubled the size of Loyola Park and built a new fieldhouse with an adjacent grandstand. Another half-acre was added in 1971, bringing the size of Loyola Park to more than 21.5 acres.

Loyola Beach's New Native Grass Attracts Birds, Stymies Sand Erosion

By Benjamin Woodard on Thursday, July 24, 2014 5:31 a.m.

Dozens of people turned out to help plant nearly 30,000 chunks of native grass at Loyola Beach in 2012.

ROGERS PARK — In 2012, volunteers planted 30,000 chunks of Marram grass along Loyola Beach — and another 9,000 in 2013.

This summer, the grass is thriving in its native habitat.

"The plantings both years have been really successful," said resident John Lamping, who holds a doctorate in ecology and helped the Chicago Park District plant the grass.

The grass has taken root along the edge of the beach near the park's athletic field and also in a dense patch between the park's playground equipment and restrooms, which had been loose, flowing dunes before.

Ben Woodard discusses Rogers Park's gem — the beaches — and how new grass is helping keep the surrounding area sand-free:

The hope was to help prevent strong winds from blowing the sand into the parking lots, pathways and fields near the park's field house, at 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue.

Jason Steger, who works for the Chicago Park District and organized the effort, said in a statement that the project appears to be a success.

"Initial observations have shown that the native grasses are helping to prevent blowing sand from reaching adjacent park areas," he said.

The same technique was used at 12th Street Beach near Northerly Island's First Merit Bank Pavilion.

But residents, like Lamping, say the grass has benefited the park in other ways, too.

"It's been attracting birds. It's educational. Children classes have been going out there," he said. "There's a very strong educational benefit being derived from it."

Lamping lives near the beach and helped establish the protected dune grass on the north side of Pratt Pier.

Photos

RPWRHS photo C035L1-001 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, baseball practice, circa 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-002 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, baseball practice, circa 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-003 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, baseball practice, circa 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-004 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, baseball practice, circa 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-005 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, baseball practice, circa 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-006 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, baseball practice, circa 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-007 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, tennis practice, circa 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-008 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, dance practice, circa 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-009 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, dance pagent, circa 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-010 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, playground, June 28, 1955.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-011 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, boys playing, June 25, 1951.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-012 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, sunbathers, June 25, 1951.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-013 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, girl at drinking fountain, July 6, 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-014 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, beach scene, 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-015 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, beach scene - east toward lake, 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-016 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, beach scene - east toward lake, 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-017 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, beach scene - east toward lake, 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-018 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, beach scene - north, April 18, 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-019 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, beach scene, 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-020 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, fieldhouse, March 7, 1951.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-0103 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, SE corner, 1945.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-0104 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, dance recital, circa 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-10270 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, construction site, 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-10664 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, north from Greenleaf, April 18, 1950.

RPWRHS photo C035L1-11082 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Demolition of Old Tool Shed, September 19, 1950.

RPWRHS photo H033-0202 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Loyola Park Day Camp - Group A, 1953.

RPWRHS photo H033-0201 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Loyola Park Day Camp - Group B, 1953.

RPWRHS photo L009-0118 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Beach Scene (Nicky Mergen & Jenny Zalon), No date given.

RPWRHS photo L009-0122 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Beach Scene, snow & ice. Photo December 31, 1983.

RPWRHS photo L009-0172 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, two unidentified people sitting on breakwater, August 4, 1982.

RPWRHS photo L009-0258 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Beach, Snow scene, December 31, 1983.

RPWRHS photo L009-0369 shows Pratt sculpture - base, Pratt Boulevard and the lake, August 16, 1984.

RPWRHS photo L009-0262 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Beach scene, March 8, 1984.

RPWRHS photo L009-0330 shows several unidentified sunbathers at Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, on August 25, 1985.

RPWRHS photo L009-0347 shows Scott and Ruth Fincher on pier at Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue. July 10, 1986.

RPWRHS photo L009-0348 shows Jim Bartell riding his bike at Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue. April 12, 1985.

RPWRHS photo L009-0392 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Las Semillitas (little seeds) Dancers from Humboldt Park School of Dance. July 12, 1992.

RPWRHS photo L009-0435 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Jon Papajcik building a sand castle, June 10, 1987.

RPWRHS photo L009-0438 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, wall art, June 12, 1996.

RPWRHS photo L009-0441 shows two unidentified children playing with a tire swing at Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, January 16, 1990.

RPWRHS photo L009-0442 shows garbage littering the ground at Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, July 14, 1982.

RPWRHS photo L009-0453 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, June 10, 1987.

RPWRHS photo L009-0477 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, pre-school classroom September 25, 1986.

RPWRHS photo L009-0537 shows three tires in the snow at Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, December 26, 1989.

RPWRHS photo S013-0238 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, July 1989.

RPWRHS photo S013-0239 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, dusk. July 1989.

RPWRHS photo S013-0404 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - children racing, Loyola Park, October 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0405 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - children racing, Loyola Park, October 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0406 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - children racing, Loyola Park, October 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0407 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Sign. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0408 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Band. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0409 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Band. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0410 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Field House. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0411 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Rogers Park Community Council information booth. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0412 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Sign. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0413 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - People viewing paintings. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0414 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Unidentified family receiving unnamed award. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0415 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Truck. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0416 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Truck. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0417 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Band. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0418 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Choir. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0419 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Dancers. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0420 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Singer. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0421 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Marine Band. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0422 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Field House. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0423 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Two unidentified people looking at painting. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0424 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Paintings. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0425 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Purses for sale. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0426 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Children crossing Sheridan Road at Loyola 'L' station. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0427 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Girl Guides. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0428 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Girl Guides. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0429 shows Hi-Neighbor Day - Girl Guides. Loyola Park, October 4, 1963.

RPWRHS photo S013-0430 shows Hi-Neighbor Day Parade. Sheridan Road, June 1970.

RPWRHS photo S013-0431 shows Hi-Neighbor Day Parade - dog. Sheridan Road, June 1970.

RPWRHS photo S013-0432 shows Hi-Neighbor Day Parade - Marching Band. Sheridan Road, June 1970.

RPWRHS photo S013-0433 shows Hi-Neighbor Day Parade - Temple Mizpah car. Sheridan Road, June 1970.

RPWRHS photo S013-0434 shows Hi-Neighbor Day Parade - Brownie troop. Sheridan Road, June 1970.

RPWRHS photo S013-0435 shows Hi-Neighbor Day Parade - Neil Hartigan. Sheridan Road, June 1970.

RPWRHS photo S013-0436 shows Hi-Neighbor Day Parade - Judo Team. Loyola Park.

RPWRHS photo S013-0437 shows Hi-Neighbor Day Parade - Red Cross truck. Loyola Park.

RPWRHS photo S013-0438 shows Hi-Neighbor Day Parade - Trampoline. Loyola Park, June 1970.

RPWRHS photo S013-0648 shows Farwell Bathing Beach which is part of Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, July 1989.

RPWRHS photo S013-0649 shows Farwell Bathing Beach which is part of Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, July 1989.

RPWRHS photo S013-0650 shows Farwell Bathing Beach which is part of Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, July 1989.

RPWRHS photo S013-0651 shows Farwell Bathing Beach which is part of Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, July 1989.

RPWRHS photo S013-0652 shows Farwell Bathing Beach which is part of Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, July 1989.

RPWRHS photo S013-0653 shows Farwell Bathing Beach which is part of Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, July 1989.

RPWRHS photo S088-016 shows Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Aerial View. No date given.