Buying a House Across a Public Sports Park Good Idea? (Chicago: tax, living)

[VarmitSlayer]

My wife and I are considering offering on a home that is across the street from a public sports park in the Northside of Chicago. The park contains baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and basketball courts. We have a 1-year-old; so it initially seems like an attractive bonus. However, we've also heard that such parks can be noisy on the weekends--especially during the summer and early Autumn. Thus, we were wanting to see if any other forum participants have any experience with living across a public sports park, or know of others who do.

Thanks in advance!

[Alacran]

I didn't care...
Depends what you can deal with.

[linicx]

If you don't like the noise of children playing or the occassional baseball through a window I would not live there. More importantly you should talk to the county tax assessor. In some Illinois ciites all houses and businesses that affront any city park, whether across the street or next to it, pay a park tax. It defrays part of the total cost of maintaining the city park system. The tax can be hefty.

[Alacran]

Arguments/fights might occur because of games, late night games might take place which bring along the other stuff.

[alexm23]

Originally Posted by Alacran

Arguments/fights might occur because of games, late night games might take place which bring along the other stuff.

Also, teenagers/young adults may "use" the park for "non-sporting activities" late at night.

[skipcromer]

If you do not have designated parking then that will also be a concern. Parking around large parks such as horner park can get kind of tough when there is alot going on.

[Vlajos]

Probably depends on the park.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

My home backs into a city park, I live in the burbs

Noise has always been a little louder in the summer as the kids use it for soccer,
football , baseball , dog walking, fireworks.photo shoots

On one occurance i saw what appeared to be a drug exchange , probably harmless.
never saw any fights

Its usually busiest in summer and right before it gets dark
after dark no one is ever there

bonus the park is always maintained
bonus its patrolled by the police more than an average street

on occasion I see kids walking in between houses but never any trouble.

It was a bit of a concern when I moved here and I probably would not move into another home backed into a park.

Overall I really dont have any complaints other than just the noise from the kids playing when i would like some peace.
Not sure if this will help you but that is first hand experience
It is also a smaller park
By all means I would imagine a park in Chicago would be different as the others mentioned.