Welcome to Fuller Park: A Small but Resilient South Side Neighborhood with Big Heart and Renewal Potential

Tucked between two of Chicago’s largest parks, Fuller Park is one of the city’s smallest yet most determined communities. Bounded by 35th Street to the north, 39th Street to the south, State Street to the east, and Federal Street to the west, this compact neighborhood sits just east of Bronzeville and west of McCormick Place, placing it in a central, high-potential location — minutes from downtown, Lake Michigan, and major employment hubs.

Though only 0.2 square miles, Fuller Park carries a rich history and a spirit of perseverance. Once a thriving, racially integrated neighborhood in the early 20th century, it became home to working-class families, factory workers, and city employees. Over time, economic shifts, population loss, and disinvestment took a toll — but today, Fuller Park is showing signs of quiet revival, driven by committed residents, community organizations, and targeted city initiatives.

A Neighborhood on the Comeback Trail

Fuller Park has faced significant challenges, including high vacancy rates, limited commercial corridors, and historic underinvestment. Yet it remains a place of deep loyalty and hope. Longtime residents, many of whom have lived here for generations, continue to care for their homes, maintain their lawns, and look out for one another.

Recent efforts are helping to stabilize and revitalize the area:

Vacant lot cleanups and community gardening initiatives
Homeownership incentive programs through the City of Chicago
Safety partnerships with block clubs and police
And growing interest from investors and developers eyeing its strategic location

With affordable land and housing, Fuller Park presents a powerful opportunity for thoughtful, community-centered redevelopment — not displacement, but renewal from within.

Affordable Homes, Big Potential

Housing in Fuller Park consists mostly of early 20th-century brick bungalows, two-flats, and modest single-family homes — many in need of renovation but structurally sound. With some of the lowest home prices in central Chicago, it’s an ideal entry point for:

First-time buyers
Renovation investors
Nonprofits focused on affordable housing

Many lots are oversized, offering room for expansion, accessory units, or green space — rare assets in such a central location.

Surrounded by Green Space & Opportunity

Despite its urban setting, Fuller Park is surrounded by nature and recreation:

Harold Washington Park (to the north) – modern fieldhouse, indoor pool, fitness center, and walking paths
McCormick Place Nature Sanctuary (to the east) – a peaceful, wooded escape along Lake Michigan
Lakefront Trail access just minutes away
And the South Shore Cultural Center and 93rd Street Beach within a short drive

Residents are also close to the Metra Electric Line at 35th/Archer and the CTA Green Line at Roosevelt, making commuting easy.

Central Location, Strong Connections

Fuller Park’s location is one of its greatest assets:
📍 10 minutes from the Loop
📍 Steps from Bronzeville’s cultural corridor
📍 Near McCormick Place, Museum Campus, and University of Chicago Medicine
📍 Served by CTA buses (#3 King Drive, #4 Cottage Grove) and major expressways (I-90/94)

It’s a neighborhood poised for transformation, sitting at the crossroads of some of Chicago’s most dynamic areas.

Culture, Community & Commitment

Though small, Fuller Park has a proud legacy of Black Chicago life and working-class resilience. Local churches, senior centers, and youth programs continue to serve as anchors. Murals and neighborhood signs express pride and a desire for peace.

Organizations like the Fuller Park Advisory Council and partnerships with LISC Chicago and the Chicago Department of Planning are working to:
✅ Attract small businesses
✅ Support homeownership
✅ Improve safety and lighting
✅ Promote green development

A Neighborhood Worth Believing In

Fuller Park isn’t easy.
It isn’t trendy.
But it matters.

It’s a place where a single restored home can inspire a block, where a community garden can feed families and hope, and where investment with integrity can spark real change.

For those who believe in second chances, urban renewal, and community-led growth, Fuller Park offers more than a property — it offers purpose.