Most city parks consist of open land and facilities of some kind. They are administered by the Chicago Park District. Oscar D'Angelo Park is not a Park District park, and it has no facilities. It is not a park, it is a "park." Scare quotes and all. Actually, its more like a lame joke.

The most poorly located parks are wedged into otherwise unused expressway land. This "park" takes that to the extreme. It is located entirely in the middle of a ramp connecting the Eisenhower Expressway and Wacker Drive. There are no benches, no playlot, not even stakes for horsehoes. I would like to say that there is nothing at all in it, but I would be forgetting the trash cans.

I hate this thing. Can you tell? Part of the reason for this is the "park's" greasy namesake. I won't go into detail here. Read this article - Google the guy's name if you want to know more.


The picture of the plaque is unreadable. Sorry. It says: Oscar O. D'Angelo Park - This park is dedicated to lifelong Near West Side (Little Italy) resident Oscar O. D'Angelo for unselfish commitment, leadership and vision in the renaissance of his neighborhood, his city, and its parks. - Richard M. Daley, Mayor. October 24, 1990. Bullshit. Its named for him because he has clout. Nothing more.


Trash abounds. There always seems to be bum detritus in this "park."


Infact, the homeless seem to be the only people who use this "park". Nothing against them, the "park" is isolated and unwelcoming and probably provides a good refuge for those who do not necessarily want to be found.


Maybe I've been too negative about this place? How about I euphemistically refer to it as an "open-air restroom" - or an "alfresco room occupancy"? Yeah, sounds good.

Page authored 30 May 2007.
Written by Serhii Chrucky.

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