Arrigo Park

801 S Loomis
Chicago, IL 60607

So, we were touring around Little Italy (I refuse to call it by its slave name, "University Village") when we came across this really creepy statue of Christopher Columbus. Like, Lost, creepy. Hmm, no, maybe more like those paintings on Scooby Doo where the eyes came alive and followed folks. Yeah, like that. So, as we were contemplating what lies in the shadow of the statue, I thought to myself, "I really like this park."

No, it wasn't the threat of polar bears lounging on the beach or buggy-eyed weirdos that gave me Stockholm-Syndrome and made me think I liked something that was, actually, bad for me. It was:

-the cool entrance to the park. As creepy as the statue is, it is impressive. It's large, looming and distinct. Surrounding the statue is an undulating concrete design that goes well with the pool of water in which CC stands (and glares). Chicago is known for its architecture and I love finding small gems such as the CC statue/patio to remind me of this. Our group was transfixed by the scene and spent a lot of time throwing pennies into the pool, making wishes, mocking the statue and looking over our shoulders to ensure that said statue wasn't coming alive and preparing to chase us;

-the peaceful easy feeling of the layout of the park. You won't play in a baseball diamond and it's likely you won't buy tamales from a cart here, either. This park is about sunbathing, reading books, playing frisbee and enjoying a breezy, greenspace. The park layout is rather simple: a huge plot of green grass, bounded by a thicket of trees. That's it. But this description doesn't give the park it's due. This is the kind of park that you bring your little ones to in order to play tag and tire themselves out. This is the park you come to with a blanket, your honey and...well, if you need me to fill this in for you, odds are you'll never come here with your little ones. This is the kind of park that is not too big, not too small - it's just right;

-the secret nature of the park. Like I mentioned, it's smack dab in the middle of Little Italy. It's bounded by trees and, beyond the trees, homes. The homes are large and breathtaking. This is one of the few areas of Little Italy that resembles the way the neighborhood looked before it was laid to waste by Daley the First. I felt a serenity whilst walking the grounds. In a lot of city parks, despite the beauty, you never forget that you're in a city. Not here. It's quiet and I was easily transported away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's not sceney, but you'll feel like an insider for having made this your spot.

The above applies to the park in daytime.

If cartoon dogs, hungry stoners, immortals with guyliner and freckle-faced women who travel through time in order to mess up my girl, Juliette's, good thing are more your speed, come here at night and wear your Nikes. CC tops out at, about, a 4.35. Good luck.