Norridge and Harwood Heights Parks

Norridge Village Background
Norridge began as a village for returning World War II veterans after the war in the 1940's. The name was decided by the blend of two nearby place names. Those two places were the city of Park Ridge and Norwood Township, the township where Norridge is located. So it was called Norridge. It was established in 1948 as a village.


Harwood Heights Background
The village of Harwood Heights began also in the late 1940's. The name that it has come to be, Harwood Heights, originated from a combination of Harlem Avenue and Norwood Park, which is the township that it was located. There is also another possibility that the name was from a contractor named Harwood, who was said to have built part of the village. Established in 1947 as a village.


Note: There are no sizes listed for the Norridge or Harwood Heights Parks.

The Parks


Norridge Park and Pool-4631 North Overhill Avenue
Norridge is the largest and most extravagant park in Norridge. One of the features it has is a large playground. This playground, Earl J. Field Memorial Playground as it is called, has one of the best playgrounds in the northwest suburbs. This playground has a total of four different areas throughout the park. One playground is shaped like a rocket and has a really tall slide that actually takes more than a second to go down. Also at this park there are seven ball fields for playing baseball/softball. For convenience, outdoor three outdoor basketball courts and three outdoor tennis courts are there also but you will need to buy a pass for each. Lastly, at Norridge Park there is an inline hockey rink available for a pass also. If you like indoor sports you are in luck because a recreation center located in the park happens to have a gymnasium and four multi-purpose rooms for other activities. There is also a fitness to boost your fitness and has many exercise equipment for use. Taking up about one fourth of the park area is the Norridge Pool which has two large water slides, a diving board and a lap pool.
Amenities-four medium sized playgrounds, picnic area, seven ball fields, three outdoor basketball courts, three outdoor tennis courts, inline hockey rink, recreation center, fitness center, pool.

Iron Ball Playground-Montrose and Octavia, Norridge
The second lesser known park in the Norridge Park District is the Iron Ball Playground. This park is a small playground with a picnic area also included. Although near Montrose Avenue it is not very loud.
Amenities-Playground, picnic area.

St. Rosalie's Kiddie Park-Norwood Court and Montrose Avenue
This is the only park in Harwood Heights. This park features a playground surrounded by a metal fence. It is very small on the edge of the forest preserve.
Amenities-Playground.

Thank you for reading about the Norridge and Harwood Heights Parks.  We strive to provide the most up to date information on these parks.  Please check back often to see other cities we have added to our blog.  If you have any questions or comments, please shoot us an e-mail at biketheparks@gmail.com.
-The Bike The Parks Team