Al Capone lived in Chicago almost 100 years ago, and while not all of these parks existed then, there's a good chance he visited some of them. The weather in Chicago is warming up, and while Capone may not have actually gotten drunk in these public parks, make sure you visit them – and explore Chicago's gangster past.
1. Hamilton Park
Just a few blocks from Al Capone's first house in Chicago, there's a really good chance Al spent some time in Hamilton Park. The park was created in 1904 and named for Alexander Hamilton – yes, that same Hamilton everyone is so excited these days. This picture, from 1910, shows the pool in Hamilton Park – think Al ever swam here?
2. Magic Hedge
Not officially a park, the Magic Hedge juts into Lake Michigan and is a popular stopover for migrating birds. An Al Capone henchman, 'Machine Gun' Jack McGurn, had part ownership in the nearby Green Mill jazz club. Surely Al spent some time in this area of the city. The spring and fall are best for checking out the migrating birds, but it's a magical place any time of the year!
3. Oz Park
L. Frank Baum, author of the beloved The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, lived in the Lincoln Park neighborhood until the 1890s. Oz Park didn't exist until 1974, but it's near another famous, but morbid, location – the site of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, where 7 people died and Al Capone was likely involved in.
4. Olive Park
Olive Park, also not in existence until after Al Capone's death, is located next to Chicago's Navy Pier and named after someone much more respectable than Capone – Milton L. Olive, III. Olive received the Medal of Honor for saving others' lives in the Vietnam War by throwing his body on a live grenade – he died in the process. Capone could learn a lot from him.
5. Arrigo Park
Al Capone's personal chef started the Tufano's Vernon Park Tap restaurant. Nearby is Arrigo Park. Is it possible the Tufano's Vernon Park Tap's menu contains food that Al Capone loved? A picnic in this beautiful park, that dates to 1857, makes you wonder …
6. McGuane Park
McGuane Park isn't too far from Al Capone's south-side Chicago headquarters. As far back as 1905 it had an outdoor gymnasium. Is it possible Al drank in this park while kids were working out?
7. Northerly Island
Northerly Island is near the Renaissance Blackstone Hotel, where some claim Al got his shoes shined. The man-made island was created in 1925 and had an airport until Mayor Richard M. Daley demolished the runway in 2003 in the middle of the night. Surely Al would have been proud of how Daley took charge to get things done!
8. Douglas Park
Douglas Park is near Al Capone's Cicero home and headquarters. It dates back to the 1800s, and had a gorgeous greenhouse that was torn down in 1905. Douglas Park was proposed for cycling in the Chicago 2016 Olympics, including a velodrome and BMX course. Take a bike ride through this huge park and ponder if you're taking the same path Al Capone did.
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