Oz Park Is A Storybook Place In Illinois

Most, if not all of us, have seen the movie The Wizard of Oz. But you may not realize that there is a park in Chicago that’s home to several giant Wizard of Oz statues. This storybook place in Illinois is absolutely worth a visit whether you’ve seen the classic film or not. Let’s have a look.

Oz Park is found within the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. At 14.4 acres, the park features Dorothy’s Playground as well as giant statues from the beloved classic movie.

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Oz Park was created several decades ago in honor of author Lyman Frank Baum who wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and had lived in Chicago.

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The first statue added to the park was the Tin Man. Artist John Kearney was commissioned to create it. When finished, it was installed in 1995.

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Next came the Cowardly Lion which was added to Oz Park in 2001. His presence started to add a bit more of a storybook feel to the park.

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In 2005, the Scarecrow was placed in the park. Cast in bronze, this seven-foot statue weighs an epic 800 pounds!

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Wizard of Oz stars Dorothy and Toto were the last to be added to Oz Park in the spring of 2007. With their presence, the main cast of characters was complete.

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In addition to the giant Wizard of Oz statues, Oz Park also includes the “Emerald Garden” and “Dorothy’s Playlot.” A visit to this whimsical park can certainly be likened to walking into the pages of a storybook.

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Have you ever been to this storybook place in Illinois? Let us know in the comments if you have. To learn more, visit the Chicago Park District website and Facebook page.