Oz Park
4.7(2.2K)google
4.5(125)yelp
FamilyKidsOutdoor
Overview
Oz Park is a whimsical, beautifully landscaped family green space nestled within the heart of the historic and charming Lincoln Park neighborhood. Dedicated officially to L. Frank Baum, the famous author of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' who once lived in Chicago, this delightful park features custom-crafted, life-sized bronze statues of the beloved story characters, including the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy alongside Toto. Complete with a colorful 'Dorothy's Play Garden' for children and a fragrant 'Emerald City' community flower garden, it provides a magical, nostalgic escape for fans of all generations.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 45-60 minutes
Best TimeSunny afternoons from May to September are the best time to visit, especially for families with kids. Themed after 'The Wizard of Oz,' the park features green lawns where you can hunt for and photograph the bronze statues of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion.
Getting ThereSituated in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Take the 'L' Brown or Purple Lines to the Armitage station. Exit and walk east along W Armitage Avenue for about 8-10 minutes to the intersection of N Burling St to enter the park.
Travel Tips
- The four legendary bronze sculptures (Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion) are not clustered together; they are scattered across four distinct park quadrants. Enter via Webster & Orchard at the northeast corner and walk clockwise. Visit early morning to avoid children climbing the brass.
- The surrounding streets are strictly zoned under residential parking permit mandates (Zone 143). Non-residents parking on side blocks will face swift municipal citation fees even if using meters. Secure a vetted parking bay in a commercial garage blocks away using SpotHero.
- The park's southwestern tip neighbors the CPL Lincoln Park Branch. Crucially, the children's department inside operates under strict municipal minor-protection codes: solo adult tourists without a minor are prohibited from loitering or taking photos in youth sections.
Reviews
Positive
- This Wizard of Oz themed neighborhood park is quirky and heartwarming; its bronze statues of the Tin Man and Scarecrow are fully real.
- The park is completely free to enter, housing a premium Dorothy's Play Garden wooden playground that maximizes family leisure fun.
- Set in the upscale Lincoln Park district, driving access is smooth and city bus links are near, oozing a flawless, calm local pace.
- The paths feature descriptive signs and well-distributed trash cans; the lawns are kept clean, ensuring absolute peace of mind.
Heads up
- Aside from the four main statues and playground, it functions primarily as a standard neighborhood green space with lower grand core value.
- On summer long weekends or sunny afternoons, child density in the play garden spikes heavily, turning spaces noisy and frantic.
- The park interior lacks permanent public restrooms; emergency needs require walking out to nearby commercial cafes or delis.
- The center of the lawns lacks permanent shade awnings, getting blindingly hot at noon; remote tree edges have dimmer streetlights at night.