Question about Chicago Park District Tennis Courts (Palatine, Grant Park: neighborhood, magnet school)

[alixjack]

Hi there.

I want to roller skate in circles. The roads around me are too busy to encourage skating in them, and driving to Palatine isn't so desirable, so I was thinking of seeking out some tennis courts.

Are the tennis courts that are located in the Chicago Park District (like, say, Oz Park) open to the public?

Do you have to pay to use them? Will there be someone there to yell at me for rollerskating?

Thank you!

[i_am_hydrogen]

They are free. I've played at Oz Park a few times. There are also courts in the northeastern part of Grant Park.

[alixjack]

cool, thanks!

[surlycue]

Free courts at Humboldt Park too, and they are normally less busy than Oz.

[surlycue]

Maybe a silly question but have you though about skating on a running track? There's one at Chase Park, another at the vo-tech high school on Larabee just south of North Av, another at St. Iggy and one at UIC (this one I think is only open to the public during the summer months). They are all free to use.

[alixjack]

Originally Posted by surlycue

Maybe a silly question but have you though about skating on a running track? There's one at Chase Park, another at the vo-tech high school on Larabee just south of North Av, another at St. Iggy and one at UIC (this one I think is only open to the public during the summer months). They are all free to use.

Oh wow, I hadn't thought of that! Thank you!

[Orangeish]

You should be fine in tennis courts, but obviously people that are there to play tennis have first dibs on the court.

[chet everett]

If the courts are in good condition it is probably not the best idea to roller blade on them, and if you are talking old school non-linear skates that would really mar the lines.

The lake front , especially south of McCormick Place to Hyde Park / South Shore is very under utilized.

Running tracks are not designed to be used to skating, it is detrimental to the surface and dangerous to mix runners and skaters.

If you are serious about wanting to go in circles try a skating rink:

Welcome to Fleetwood Roller Rink.com
Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Family Entertainment Center Roller Skating Rink - Chicago, IL - Cook County
Rink Fitness Factory Roller Skating Rink - Chicago, IL - Cook County

[Lookout Kid]

There is a huge, blank concrete pad just west of the Walt Disney Magnet School on Marine Drive in the Buena Park neighborhood. The school has basically abandoned the play area since the ambitious rennovation plans have stalled (the kids mostly play on a rooftop playground). I only ever see it used for church service parking on Sunday mornings (the school gym is used by a local church for a fee). There used to be basketball courts at this location, but they were removed after neighbors complained of the various problems there. I'd say this blank concrete area is at least half of a football field in size. There are some uneven parts to look out for and a small sink hole on the north side of it, but other than that it is relatively even.

I wouldn't recommend mucking up the nicer tennis courts with your skates. People may take issue with this.

[Jesse69]

You can roller skate in empty church or school parking lots too...