Burnham Park Conceptualized by architect Daniel Burnham in the mid-1890s and home to the Century of Progress World’s Fair in 1933-’34, this six-mile-long lakefront park connects Grant Park to Jackson Park, encompassing McCormick Place, the Museum Campus, and Northerly Island. Accessible by the lakefront bike path, the stretch within Hyde Park includes Promontory Point (see separate entry), plus baseball fields, tennis courts, and several playgrounds. 425 E. McFetridge, 773-256-0949. —Kevin Warwick
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Houston Playground Park Named for Reverend Jessie “Ma” Houston, this well-shaded four-acre park features volleyball and basketball courts as well as a soft-surface playground. 5001 S. Cottage Grove. —KW
Jackson Park The site of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, this massive 600-acre park extends from the lake into the Hyde Park, Woodlawn, and South Shore community areas. Hyde Park’s chunk features the Museum of Science and Industry, the 59th Street Harbor, the Wooded Island nature sanctuary and Osaka Garden, and a number of tennis courts. The park hosts cricket matches and a croquet club, as well as summer all-ages lawn bowling leagues for $50 a person (call 708-366-8228 for more info on lawn bowling). 6401 S. Stony Island, 773-256-0903. —KW
Promontory Point This later addition to Burnham Park, designed by landscape architect Alfred Caldwell in the mid-30s, features a “rock beach” for swimming and sunning, “council rings” (used as fire pits), and a field house that’s popular for weddings. 55th and South Shore Drive, 312-747-6620. —KW
XS Tennis Once known as XS Tennis & Golf (before losing the golf), this tennis club hosts 8-, 10-, and 11-week classes for juniors and adults, in addition to leagues and school programs. Nonmembers can participate in Friday-night doubles from 7-10 PM for $25. The pro shop sells and strings racquets. 1301 E. 47th, 773-548-7529, xstennis.com, memberships $150 adult, $275 family, $75 junior, $260 league. —KW
