Berger (Albert) Park

Park Details

Main Address

6205 N. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, IL 60660
United States

  • Tel: (773) 761-0376 | Main
Park Supervisor
Tom Wayda
Park Hours
Closed
| 6:00 am-11:00 pm

Berger (Albert) Park

Description

Located on Sheridan Rd in the Edgewater Community Area, the 3.46 acre park overlooks beautiful Lake Michigan. As an early proponent of developing street-end beaches on Chicago's north side, Berger Park Cultural Center has now become a neighborhood icon.

Throughout the year the park hosts events such as Concerts, Movies in the Park, Mad Hatter Bunny, & Theater performances that have contributed to the cultural façade of Chicago’s north shore area. Boasting classes that include a variety of cultural programs such as Acting, Improv, Jewelry Making, Stained Glass, Ceramics, Drawing, Watercolor, Senior Line Dance, and much more. Proud partner to some of Chicago's finest arts organizations, Berger offers patrons the unique opportunity to attend productions by On the Spot, Synapse, & Roman Susan as well as enroll in Guitar & Piano classes from the Ultimate School of Guitar.

For those looking to get a little exercise we offer Walking Club and Conditioning. If you have little ones - check out the Play School program, Mom's, Pop's, & Tot's, Music movement, & Little Artists. We can't forget our seniors...we have a regular Tuesday afternoon Bridge Club, Chair Exercise, Low Impact Aerobics, plus more

This quaint historic landmark mansion features hardwood floors, original woodwork and antique light fixtures among other charming details--it could be the ideal place for your next special event.

The mansion also boasts a magnificent outdoor space along Lake Michigan with breathtaking  views. Located just minutes from downtown, this unique space offers many opportunities for special event and meeting rentals including three rooms that can be used individually for intimate gatherings or together for functions that can accommodate up to 100 guests.

In July 2005, a new state-of-the-art playground was dedicated. The 8,000-square-foot playground has an ADA-accessible drinking fountain and ADA-accessible equipment. In addition, the new playground features a play area shaped like a pirate ship, new drainage, soft surface tiles and rubber surfacing, new walkways, new concrete curbing, trash cans, benches--including a mosaic art bench--and new landscaping.

History

Berger Park honors Albert E. Berger (1900-1950), a native Chicagoan and Edgewater Community Area resident. Berger, who lived with his family in one of the large homes that lined the Sheridan Road before 1950, was a tax consultant and real estate developer, and a member of numerous philanthropic and civic groups. He was also an early proponent of developing street end beaches on Chicago's north side. Such beaches met the summertime recreational needs of Edgewater residents who lived beyond easy reach of the Lincoln Park beaches. By 1937, the City's Bureau of Parks and Recreation was operating 27 street-end beaches, including one at the end of Edgewater's Granville Avenue, near Berger's home. Pursuant to the City and Park District Exchange of Functions Act, the City transferred Granville Beach and Park to the Chicago Park District in 1957. By this time, many of Edgewater's fashionable Sheridan Road homes had given way to modern high-rises. In an attempt to address the recreational needs of the many apartment dwellers, the City in 1976 constructed a playground along the northern right-of-way of Granville Avenue, leasing it to the Park District. Residents of the crowded Edgewater community still needed more parkland.  In 1974, the Park District purchased land from the Clerics of St. Viator and in 1981 purchased additional land from the Clerics of St. Viator to expand the park. The property included two of the few remaining Sheridan Road mansions, the south one designed by William Carbys Zimmerman and the north one by Myron H. Church. In 1988, the Park District rehabilitated the homes, which are used as a recreational building and a cultural center, respectively. Berger Park offers many activities, including senior aerobics; computer, jewelry making, and writing classes; and theater and music programs for children and adults.

Additional Information

For directions using public transportation visit www.transitchicago.com.

Contact: Barbara Button, Vice President

Contact Email: bergerparkadvisorycouncil@gmail.com

Meetings: 3rd Thursday of the month @ 6:30pm

Capital Projects

VIEW ALL PROJECTS

Programs at Berger (Albert) Park

Most programs run from Tuesday, September 02 to Sunday, December 07 Online registration begins August 05, 2025 - 9:00 AM In-person registration begins
Mixed Media - Drawing at Berger
Instruction
Drawing
At least 12 but less than 18
From September 6, 2025 to December 6, 2025
Each Saturday from 11am to 12pm
Except the following dates:
Saturday, Nov 1, 2025
Saturday, Nov 29, 2025
$30.00
One-Person Show at Berger
Instruction
Theater
18 and up
From September 8, 2025 to December 1, 2025
Each Monday from 5:15pm to 9:30pm
Except the following dates:
Monday, Oct 6, 2025
Monday, Oct 27, 2025
Monday, Nov 3, 2025
Monday, Nov 10, 2025
Monday, Nov 17, 2025
Monday, Nov 24, 2025
$0.00
Play School at Berger
Instruction
Recreation
At least 3 years 6 months but less than 6
From September 3, 2025 to December 5, 2025
Each Monday,Wednesday,Friday from 10am to 1pm
$75.00
Puppetry at Berger
Instruction
Theater
At least 1 years 6 months but less than 6
From September 3, 2025 to December 3, 2025
Each Wednesday from 11am to 11:45am
Except the following dates:
Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025
$25.00
Stained Glass - Advanced at Berger
Instruction
Decorative Arts
18 and up
From September 3, 2025 to December 5, 2025
Each Wednesday,Friday from 10:30am to 1:30pm
Except the following dates:
Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025
Friday, Oct 31, 2025
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025
Friday, Nov 28, 2025
$128.00
Stained Glass at Berger
Instruction
Decorative Arts
18 and up
From September 3, 2025 to December 5, 2025
Each Wednesday,Friday from 2pm to 5pm
Except the following dates:
Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025
Friday, Oct 31, 2025
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025
Friday, Nov 28, 2025
$128.00
Stretching at Berger
Instruction
Fitness
60 and up
From September 2, 2025 to December 4, 2025
Each Tuesday,Thursday from 2pm to 3pm
Except the following dates:
Tuesday, Oct 28, 2025
Thursday, Oct 30, 2025
Tuesday, Nov 25, 2025
Thursday, Nov 27, 2025
$0.00

Most programs run from Tuesday, September 02 to Sunday, December 07 Online registration begins August 04, 2025 - 9:00 AM In-person registration begins

Media at Berger (Albert) Park