Arrigo Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Arrigo Park is a neighborhood park located in the Little Italy area of Chicago, Illinois.


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Summary

The park covers an area of 3.17 acres and is a popular destination for local residents and tourists alike. One of the primary reasons to visit Arrigo Park is its excellent facilities for outdoor recreation and fitness. The park features a playground, basketball courts, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, and a swimming pool. Visitors can also enjoy walking or jogging around the park's landscaped paths, which are perfect for exercise or relaxation.

Another point of interest in Arrigo Park is the statue of Christopher Columbus, which stands in the center of the park. The statue is a replica of the one that stands in Genoa, Italy, and was donated to the city of Chicago by the Italian-American community in 1968. The statue is a popular spot for visitors to take pictures and learn about the history of Christopher Columbus.

Interesting facts about Arrigo Park include its location in the Little Italy neighborhood, which has a rich history of Italian-American culture and cuisine. The park is also named after Victor Arrigo, a former alderman who was instrumental in the creation of the park and the development of the Little Italy area.

The best time of year to visit Arrigo Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park's swimming pool is open for public use. However, the park is open year-round and visitors can enjoy its facilities and amenities during any season. Overall, Arrigo Park is a great destination for visitors looking to enjoy outdoor recreation, learn about Italian-American history and culture, and experience the vibrant community of Little Italy.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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