Favorite Things – Mills Park & Pleasant Home
My favorite park in Oak Park is Mills Park, a 4.43-acre green space located south of the Downtown business district, with entrances on Marion Street, Home Avenue, and Pleasant Street. Originally part of an estate, it was acquired by the Park District of Oak Park from the Mills family after the home’s owner, Herbert Mills died in 1939.
I see a variety of people in the park — some doing yoga under trees and others sitting on benches, chairs, and blankets. Some are reading, having picnics, carrying on conversations, while others are scrolling on their phones or napping. It is a dog-walking destination and a place where dogs romp with each other while their pet parents hang out and chat. Joggers, bicyclists, and adults pushing strollers also pass through Mills Park.
The surrounding area has many apartment and condo buildings without backyards. Local residents are fortunate to have a beautiful outdoor space to use which is maintained for them by the Park District.
Paved paths wind through Mills Park. In the southwest portion, people can literally walk across time, following a stone timeline labyrinth featuring images on the rocks from when the solar system was formed until the 100th anniversary of the park district (2012). A Little Free Library, where people can donate and take books, is located in the west portion, close to Marion Street.
There are two buildings within the confines. Mills Park Tower is a 19-story building that has 198 one-bedroom apartments for low-income older adults. I often see residents sitting on benches near this apartment building chatting and reading.
The other building is called Pleasant Home (named for its location at the corner of Pleasant Street and Home Avenue). The mansion was designed by architect George Washington Maher in 1897 for the Farson family. It is an impressive early Prairie-style building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Did you know that Oak Park’s first Thursday Night Out was held at this park in the 1890s? Mr. Farson, the original owner, hosted band parties open for the community every Thursday night before the home was built.
I recently took a tour of Pleasant Home. A knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteer docent gave us information about the home and the people who lived there. I felt like I had stepped back in time. I learned about the owners, the Farsons and later the Mills families. Our docent told us that the land for the home was purchased for $20,000 in 1892.
Pleasant Home has breathtaking stained glass, some of which is visible from the porch; mosaic floors; some original furniture; and mahogany wood paneling. Our docent made history come alive as we looked out the windows. I could visualize the original greenhouse, coach house with carriages and horses grazing on the west side of the property, where people now toss balls and frisbees.
I highly recommend visiting Mills Park and viewing Pleasant Home. The tours are on Thursdays, and one Sunday a month. The elegant mansion is also available for weddings and celebrations. For more information go to https://pdop.org/pleasanthome.
Joy Aaronson is an Oak Park resident who contributed to Chicago Parent magazine and wrote the Kids’ World column for the former Logan Square Free Press.