Located 12 miles west of downtown Chicago and 10 miles south of O'Hare International Airport, Melrose Park is a multi-ethnic, suburb of 22,512. (2005). It has excellent recreational opportunities, close proximity to major roads, and a large industrial base. It covers 4.2 square miles, and is situated 6 miles south of O'Hare...
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Located 12 miles west of downtown Chicago and 10 miles south of O'Hare International Airport, Melrose Park is a multi-ethnic, suburb of 22,512. (2005). It has excellent recreational opportunities, close proximity to major roads, and a large industrial base. It covers 4.2 square miles, and is situated 6 miles south of O'Hare International Airport and 12 miles north of Midway Airport. Melrose Park was originally known as the village of "Melrose," and its population grew dramatically after World War I. With the opening of huge freight yards in 1926, Melrose Park became known as an industrial, working-class suburb. After World War II, a number of large businesses opened their doors in the village including Zenith (now closed), the headquarters of Jewel Food Stores, and corporate giant Alberto-Culver. Melrose Park is also the long-time home of Kiddieland, Chicagoland's oldest amusement park. Located at the corner of 1st and North Avenues, it opened in 1929, and now features over 30 rides and attractions. Melrose Park residents and visitors from throughout the Chicagoland area come to Kiddieland for a day of fun and relaxation. In their spare time, Melrose Park residents can also shop in stores along North Avenue, or at the Winston Park outdoor shopping plaza, also on North Avenue; the shopping center contains a number of well-known retailers as well as smaller shops. Villagers can also visit Maywood Park to see some harness racing, take out some books at the Melrose Park Public Library, attend the Taste of Melrose Park in September, see a movie at the movie complex on North Avenue, and get fit at the village's Multi-Sports Complex on 24th Avenue. They can also play some softball and sign up for some swimming, fitness and ballet classes through the town's Veterans Park District. In July, 2006, a new village recreation center opened in Grant Park. New construction of single-family homes is scarce. Current housing stock consists of older two-flats and brick bungalows as well as newer single-family homes in the Winston Park housing section.
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