Columbus Park (Austin Park)

Jensen drawings of plans for Columbus Park.
© Copyrights reserved to Chicago Park District.

Jensen considered his 1916-18 design for Columbus Park one of his greatest achievements. He wrote that it was as “complete” an “interpretation of the Native Landscape of Illinois as anything" he had ever done. The project represented Jensen's first and only opportunity to design an entirely new large park for the citizens of Chicago. His vision for the 140-acre park was inspired by the site’s natural history and topography.

Douglas Park

Douglas Park

Jensen drawings of the Douglas Park.
© Copyrights reserved to Chicago Park District.

Dvorak Park (Park No.3)

Jensen drawings of the Dvorak Park.
© Copyrights reserved to Chicago Park District.

Jens Jensen was very concerned about the need for breathing spaces in the congested tenement neighborhoods within the jurisdiction of the West Chicago Park Commission. In 1905, a revolutionary system of neighborhood parks had opened on the city’s South Side. Designed by Olmsted Brothers and D. H.

Eckhart Park (Park No.1)

Jensen drawings of the Dvorak Park.
© Copyrights reserved to Chicago Park District.

In 1907, Jens Jensen began designing Eckhart Park as one of the first three small parks planned by the West Chicago Park Commissioners to provide breathing space and social services for the congested tenement districts within their jurisdiction. Two years earlier, a revolutionary system of ten neighborhood parks had opened on the city’s South Side. Designed by the Olmsted Brothers and D.H.

Franklin Park

Jensen drawings of the Dvorak Park.
© Copyrights reserved to Chicago Park District.

In 1914, after several years of experimentation, Jens Jensen completed the plan for Franklin Park, which was considered a "radical change" from earlier neighborhood parks. Here, he succeeded in creating a site evocative of the native Illinois landscape, although it was only 8.5 acres in size.

Garfield Park

Jensen drawings of the Dvorak Park.
© Copyrights reserved to Chicago Park District.

The centerpiece of the West Chicago Park System, Garfield Park was first known as Central Park. Architect and engineer architect and engineer William Le Baron Jenney created an original plan for the 185-acre park in 1871. Due to funding limitations; however, the site evolved slowly and in stages.

Humboldt Park

Humboldt Park

Jensen drawings of the Dvorak Park.
© Copyrights reserved to Chicago Park District.


Admin Back To Top