The Best Parks & Outdoor Spaces to Explore in Rogers Park, Chicago’s Northside
Glenwood Sunday Market 
A classic Chicago Farmers market to put on your calendar, this one is the most visited in the city. Rogers Park is a neighborhood rich with community and hosts many events throughout the year, and one of the area’s favorites is the Glenwood Market. The market is open from June through October and takes place every Sunday. It’s a super fun way to spend any Sunday where you can get pastries, cuts of meat, homemade jellies, crafted gifts, and more. Check out its location and information here.
Jarvis Bird Sanctuary
A unique outdoor experience in Rogers Park is the Jarvis Bird Sanctuary. Featuring lush greenery comparable to any of the Chicago conservatories, the air is clean and the smell is fresh. Birdwatchers are sure to be excited by the diverse avian population that includes migratory birds, warblers, herons, and woodpeckers. There are benches and viewing platforms around so you can take in the sights and sounds of the sanctuary. If you enjoy nature and animals, you will love this gem.
Indian Boundary Park
An excellent reason to explore Rogers Park is the famous Indian Boundary Park. With over 13 acres of land, this park is one of the biggest in the city. They have play centers for children and an insane amount of land just to sit back, relax, and enjoy. They also have spaces where “visitors can discover a beautifully restored nature area and duck-filled lagoon, a children’s spray pool, and four tennis courts.” The cultural center is a great addition to the park, with various painting, piano, dance, and voice lessons for both children and adults as well as stained glass and weaving classes. Some classes take place on the center’s back porch so that artists can use the park’s scenery as inspiration. You can easily fill up your summer schedule with things to do in Indian Boundary Park.
Hartigan Beach Park
A favorite of outdoorsy Chicagoans, Hartigan Beach Park is located along the lakefront and gives its visitors one of the most epic panoramic views of the city. The small beach situated on the shore provides the perfect spot to relax, sunbathe, and listen to the sounds of the waves. There is also a large lakefront trail if you feel like a stroll or a bike ride alongside Lake Michigan.
Warren Park
Warren Park takes the crown of the biggest park on the northside with over 80 acres of land to play on. “For youth and teens, the park has baseball, basketball, and soccer programs. The Chicago Park District says there is something for everyone – For the little ones, the park offers preschool programs and tumbling classes. Fitness enthusiasts can hop onto a paved path that winds throughout the park for walking, jogging, or biking. Golf lovers head to the Robert A. Black nine-hole golf course and golf putting practice area located on the northeast end of the park.”
Loyola Park
One of the most beloved parks in the area, Loyola Park feels like a hidden garden. In a review from Yelp, one person writes – “It’s segmented off from the rest of the Chicago lakefront by Loyola University to the south, and Touhy Street at the north end. In between lies about a mile of gorgeous beach and grasslands, fields for soccer, tennis courts, a small baseball diamond […], a basketball court, a lifeguard training station, and a few different playgrounds for kids.” Check out their website for the history of the park and all the amazing things it has to offer.
Touhy Park
Located in the heart of Rogers Park, Touhy Park welcomes residents and tourists alike to its welcoming atmosphere and awesome outdoor amenities. The park features well-maintained lawns to picnic, play a game, or just relax. There’s also a baseball field, soccer field, and basketball court for those who are looking to play a game or leisurely play their favorite sport. Touhy also has an incredible community garden boasting flowers, plants, and vegetables produced by the community.
Whatever park or outdoor activity you choose for your beach day, connecting with nature, or romping with your dog, Rogers Park has some of the most iconic scenery and access to all kinds of outdoor spaces.