Bessemer Park facts for kids

Bessemer Park is a public park located in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.. It was created in 1904. The park is named after Henry Bessemer. He invented a special way to make steel. This name made sense because a big steel factory, U.S. Steel Southworks, was very close by.

What is Bessemer Park?

Bessemer Park is a green space in Chicago. It was built to give people a place to relax and play. The park was named after Henry Bessemer. He was an inventor. He created a famous way to make steel. This method is called the Bessemer process. The park's name was a good fit. This is because a very busy steel mill, U.S. Steel Southworks, was only about a mile away.

Why Was Bessemer Park Created?

Bessemer Park was part of a new park system in Chicago. The South Park Commission helped create it. Many people were moving to Chicago. They hoped to find a better life, often called the "American dream". But their living areas became very crowded. Most people did not own cars. Other parks were too far away to visit easily.

A park leader named J. Frank Foster had a new idea. He wanted to build parks in crowded areas. These parks would be "breathing spaces." They would offer many things to do. This included places for public bathing and organized sports.

Who Designed the Park?

The famous Olmsted Brothers helped design the park. They were landscape architects. The architects Daniel H. Burnham and his company also worked on the project. They helped plan the entire new park system, including Bessemer Park.

What Can You See at Bessemer Park?

Bessemer Park has a special nature garden. It is fenced and looks very beautiful. The garden is filled with many different kinds of plants. You can see native flowering trees and shrubs. There are also many colorful wildflowers called forbs. It's a great place to enjoy nature.