Palmer Park, officially Palmer (Potter) Park, is a Chicago Park District park at 201 E. 111th St. in Chicago. It combines outdoor recreation facilities with a history that reaches back to the South Side neighborhood parks planned in the early twentieth century. Palmer Park is about a 13-minute drive from a hotel in Calumet Park.
- Location: 201 E. 111th St., Chicago, IL 60628
- Park hours: Open daily
- Admission: no general admission charge is stated; pool and fitness center details vary
Where Is Palmer Park?
Palmer Park is on East 111th Street in Chicago, between the surrounding South Side streets that define its historic footprint. Its address is 201 E. 111th St., Chicago, IL 60628, and the National Register of Historic Places identifies the park as a historic district.
The park was named for Potter Palmer (1826–1902), a Chicago merchant and member of the South Park Commission. It was created in 1904 on land bounded by 111th and 113th Streets, King Drive, and Indiana Avenue. The Olmsted Brothers designed it as one of ten South Side neighborhood parks that opened in 1905.
What Can You Do at Palmer Park?
Palmer Park has a fieldhouse, pool, fitness center, playground, gym, field, and tennis court. The fieldhouse was designed by D. H. Burnham and Company, adding another architectural strand to the park’s history.
Palmer Pool is an outdoor, 50-meter pool with six lanes, a water slide, an ADA lift, and ADA stairs. The Palmer Fitness Center is at the same address and has wheelchair-accessible equipment.
Three murals in the fieldhouse were created in 1934 by Park District Art Director James Edward McBurney as a federally funded Works Progress Administration project. The murals are part of the fieldhouse’s history; park facilities also give you options for outdoor recreation and exercise.
Palmer Park Hours, Parking, and Admission
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 7 AM–11 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Pool hours are Monday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Fitness center hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, closed. Senior free hours at the fitness center are Monday–Friday, 8:15–11:15 a.m., and Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
The Park District offers month, three-month, and annual fitness center memberships. Its membership listing gives no prices, and the facts here do not establish parking arrangements or a general admission fee. For current hours, pool access, membership costs, and parking details, check the official site before you go.
How Do You Get from Calumet Park to Palmer Park?
For a bus approach, CTA Route 111, called 111th/King Drive, runs between 117th/Rhodes and 95th/Dan Ryan (Red Line). Its stop list includes 111th Street and King Drive, near the park’s historic boundaries. Service hours vary by day and direction, so use the CTA’s official route information to plan your trip.
For rail connections and local orientation, the Calumet Park rail guide covers getting around by train.
Planning a Visit
Start with the park’s outdoor spaces if you’re visiting for recreation, then check whether the pool or fitness center fits your plans. Their operating hours differ from the park’s general hours, and Sunday fieldhouse and fitness center hours are closed.
If you’re interested in the area beyond the park, the Calumet Park local area guide offers context for planning time around the neighborhood. Confirm facility access and transport schedules before setting out, especially if you’re planning around a particular activity.
FAQs
What are Palmer Park’s hours?
Open daily. Fieldhouse, pool, and fitness center hours differ from the park’s general hours.
Does Palmer Park have a swimming pool?
Yes. Palmer Pool is an outdoor, 50-meter pool with six lanes, a water slide, an ADA lift, and ADA stairs.
Is Palmer Park a historic site?
Yes. It is identified as a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places, and its history includes a 1904 creation and a design by the Olmsted Brothers.
What facilities are at Palmer Park?
The facilities include a fieldhouse, pool, fitness center, playground, gym, field, and tennis court.