Oz Park

Oz Park ...
Location: 2021 N. Burling St, Chicago, IL 60614 ...
Oz park is in the Lincoln Park area ... The idea being a place for children to enjoy the theme park with the "Wizard of Oz" theme ...

The Tin Man ..
The Tin Man is made of used automobile parts ...
# Another sculpture by the same artist John Kearney with automobile parts titled the Moose can be found in the Pioneer Court ... click here ...
# A few more sculptures with used automobile parts can be found in the Grant Park ... Like the "Lilies" by Dessa Kirk, "Glass Bench" by Ted Garner and "Hedgerow" by Lucy Slivinski ... click here ...

The Scarecrow ..

 

Dorothy and Toto ...

The Oz Park ... [Information from it's official website]
Although the area surrounding Oz Park is considered prime real estate today, in the late 1950s it was in sub-standard condition. In the 1960s, the Lincoln Park Conservation Association approached the City of Chicago in efforts to improve the community, and the neighborhood was soon designated as the Lincoln Park Urban Renewal Area. The urban renewal plan identified a 13 acre-site for a new park, and in 1974, the Chicago Park District acquired the land.

In 1976, the park was officially named Oz Park in honor of Lyman Frank Baum [1856-1919], the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Baum settled in Chicago in 1891 several miles west of what is now the park. Having begun writing children's books at age 41, Baum wrote more than 60 books, including 14 Oz books, by the end of his life. In 1939, the production of an MGM movie, The Wizard of Oz, immortalized Baum's classic work of fiction ...

In the early 1990s, the Oz Park Advisory Council and the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce commissioned artist John Kearney to create a sculpture "Tin Man" Later more additions were made..
- Tin Man" installed in October 1995 ...
- The Cowardly Lion, installed in May 2001
- The Scarecrow, installed June 2005.
- Dorothy & Toto, installed in 2007 ...

Other elements which celebrate Oz Park's theme, includes:
# The Emerald Garden .. and ..
# Dorothy's Playlot.

Dorothy's Playlot.

Dorothy's Playlot gets the name from its donor, Dorothy Melamerson, a retired local school teacher whose savings have paid for a number of park improvements in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It is filled with play equipment for the little ones to climb, swing, and run .. .. whereas in the Emerald Garden, families can enjoy a leisurely afternoon among the beautiful flowers.

REF: Oz Park official website .. click here ...