Western Springs' "Meek's Park"

The next time you drive down Clausen Avenue in Field Park, take note of the colonial home on the corner of Clausen and 40th Street (see second photo). That was once the home of Joseph Meek. A former candidate for the United States Senate, Meek was also the founder of the powerful Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

While Meek was on a first-name basis with Illinois governors, senators, and representatives, he was also well known among the 20 or 30 boys and girls who lived in his neighborhood. Why?

Prior to 1944, Meek’s children … Joe, 13; Judy 9; and Julia 7 … used to play in their back yard on a swing and a trapeze beneath some shade trees. But, in 1944, Joe Meek decided to purchase the huge (100’ by 125’) vacant lot directly behind his home. Unlike today, his motivation was not related to building an even larger home. Instead, he wanted to build a playground for all of the neighborhood children.

Since the Western Springs Park District had not yet developed its neighborhood parks, Meek decided not to wait for that to happen. So, by summer of 1944, he moved his children’s play equipment onto the previously vacant lot. Soon, other neighbors followed suit. A sand box, swings, teeter totter, sliding board, and badminton court all appeared, courtesy of the neighbors. There was even a “mother’s bench” placed under a shade tree.

Eventually, the Park District built Northeast Park, complete with a playground, just a block north at 39th and Clausen. Afterwards, “Meek’s Park” was not needed and was sold for new housing. But, until then, most of the neighborhood kids were convinced that Joe Meek was the “coolest dad” in Field Park.

Each week, the Western Springs Historical Society presents a “Blast from the Past”. To view prior stories, visit us at www.westernspringshistory.org or click on the author’s name shown above.