Humboldt Park, Kelvyn Park, Kilbourn Park, and Hermosa

Named for one of Chicago’s largest parks, Humboldt Park is a neighborhood located on Chicago’s Near West Side. The park itself stretches over 200 acres and includes a beach, outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, playgrounds, baseball diamond, bike paths and many additional amenities. Also included in the park is an assembly area, designated ice skating forum, prime picnicking spots, and a centralized field house with multiple gyms.

As a neighborhood, Humboldt Park, just like many neighborhoods close to the city, is reaping the benefits of gentrification. For those wishing to start a family but also concerned about finances, Humboldt Park presents an area with universal appeal.

Named for the German naturalist, Alexander von Humboldt in 1869, Humboldt Park, both the park and neighborhood, has certainly had its share of history. Today, with a working-class feel marked by older frame and brick houses interspersed with newer brick dwelling places, it retains much of its historical character. Quite balanced ethnically, the neighborhood’s residents share a strong sense of community reflected by ongoing beautification projects throughout the area.

The neighborhood, which also plays host to an area known as the Division Street Corridor, or Paseo Boricua, features two popular Puerto Rican festivals – the annual Puerto Rican Peoples Parade in June and the Fiesta Boricua, a Puerto Rican Pride Festival, each September.

Hermosa is a neighborhood that has evolved a great deal since its beginnings. While originally a Swedish-dominated community, a wave of immigration has turned Hermosa into a Hispanic-dominated neighborhood. After experiencing some difficulties as a neighborhood in the ‘90s, Hermosa has recently seen an increase in property and business development, as well as, general community awareness and participation. Increasingly geared toward family life, new businesses are interested in coming to the area to reach this communal audience comprised of both adults and children.

Kilbourn Park is yet another Chicago neighborhood named for a local park. This park features the Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, which is used to keep plants in bloom throughout the winter. One attraction to check out in Kilbourn Park is Rosa’s, a locale entertainment spot featuring live blues, broadcasts from local radio stations and cheap, yet memorable drinks.

And not alone, Kelvyn Park also shares its name with a city park. Kelvyn Park boasts an open park area, with baseball, tennis courts, basketball courts, playground and volleyball court. Both the Kilbourn and Kelvyn Parks neighborhoods are directly adjoining to Hermosa, and as such, share similarities the likes of residential working-class, ingrained sense of family and purity of spirit.