Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Borderless MagazineFrom a DIY skate park to restaurant favorites, artist and curator Alejandro Quiroz shares the spaces that reflect the spirit of the McKinley Park community.
About McKinley Park
Just four miles southwest of the Loop, McKinley Park is one of the city’s most central neighborhoods. Originally an industrial area next to Brighton Park, the land was annexed to Chicago in 1863. In 1901, a month after President William McKinley’s assassination, the new park was named in his honor. It was built by the park commission on the former Brighton Park Race Track and officially opened on June 13, 1902. The park doubled in size four years later — giving the neighborhood its name.
Meet your guide
Alejandro Quiroz is an artist, curator and skateboarder born and raised on Chicago’s South Side. For the last five years, he’s helped run and maintain Marshfield Courts — a DIY community space run out of a formerly neglected city lot in McKinley Park. Quiroz also curates the Marshfield Courts Mini Gallery, a rotating art installation focused on displaying the work of local artists.
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Itinerary
McKinley Park
Address: 2210 W. Pershing Rd.
McKinley Park’s namesake is a 10-minute walk from the 35th and Archer L stop. The park offers sports fields, a pool, a playground and a lagoon surrounded by over 13 acres of native aquatic, wetland, prairie and savanna habitats. An ample boardwalk and 20 dedicated fishing stations draw hobbyists and devoted fishermen alike.
Kristoffer’s Cakes
Address: 1735 W. 35th St.
Owned and operated by Maria and Carlos Chavarria, Kristoffer’s Cakes is a bakery specializing in Latin American desserts with offerings ranging from traditional flavors to fusion concepts with a twist. The McKinley Park location opened its doors in 2018 and remains a grassroots operation. Maria and their son, Kristoffer, bake the cakes, while Carlos mans the register. Quiroz recommends the chocoflan, though Carlos says they are best known for their tres leches cake, which is soaked “just enough.”
La Palapa
Address: 2000 W. 34th St.
Chicago’s large Mexican American population has made it a hub for region-specific Mexican cuisine. McKinley Park’s La Palapa brings the flavors of Nayarit’s coastal seafood to a beach-inspired setting. Crowd favorites include the ceviche platter and camarones a la palapa (shrimp cooked in a house sauce and served on a bed of rice.) However, their menu is vast, offering 24 different shrimp dishes alone.
Marshfield Courts
Address: 1644 W. 35th St.
Marshfield Courts is a charming public space nestled between two workers’ cottages. Founded by Juan Cháves and maintained by a small group of volunteers, the DIY space includes a skate park, community garden and a free little library. During the summers, Quiroz maintains a rotating mini gallery featuring works from local Chicago artists. The courts also have a rare amenity for Chicago’s skate parks: shade.
Marz Community Brewing Company
Address: 3630 S. Iron St.
Marz Brewery is a mainstay across the city, but its “Mothership” location sits on the edge of McKinley Park, just across from Bubbly Creek. Quiroz loves it for its rotating calendar of themed weekly events. The brewery itself offers a wide selection of craft beers, THC infused beverages and non-alcoholic sodas in poppy, unique flavours.
Borderless Guidebook is a multipart project by Borderless Magazine that celebrates Chicago neighborhoods with significant immigrant communities, highlighting the history, businesses, and people that help shape them.
Camilla Forte is a CatchLight fellow and Report for America Corps Member covering immigrant communities for Borderless Magazine. Email Camilla at [email protected]
