Meet the Trash People of McKinley Park

Karen Liu-Yates started Trash People of McKinley Park this year to make friends and give back to the community through cleanups, plant swaps, and more. Ahead of the group’s upcoming holiday party and fundraiser, we’re diving into all things McKinley Park.

Long a working-class neighborhood on the Southwest Side, McKinley Park was once home to steelworkers and stockyard workers. Industry led to pollution, including in the South Branch of the Chicago River. By the turn of the 20th century, the neighborhood got its namesake 71-acre park as part of a movement to bring green space to areas outside the city center.

Here’s what Liu-Yates recommends to do in the area.

Something to Eat

• 🇲🇽 Chile Toreado has high-quality Mexican food for a great price.
• 🍓 Can't go wrong with paletas (fruit popsicles) from La Michoacana!
• 🍋 La Palapa serves coastal Mexican seafood with music, margs, and a great atmosphere. It’s fun in the summer when the patio is open!
• 🎂 Kristoffer's Cakes has tres leches in all kinds of flavors. Grab full cakes or slices.
• 🇵🇹 Cadinho Bakery is opening a brick-and-mortar cafe in March. For now, order through Instagram or at one of their pop-ups.

Something to Drink

• 🍺 Marz Brewing has local beers, sours, rootbeer, and ginger beer!

Something to See

• 🌳 Check out the McKinley Park pond and wildflowers.
• 👟 Walk along the industrial river at Canalport Riverwalk Park and see the Damen Silos.

Something to Do

• 🛶 Kayak at Bubbly Creek.
• 🖼️ Bridgeport Art Center, right on the border of McKinley Park, has free 3rd Friday nights.
• 😍 FreeStyle Ceramics & Tufting, technically in Bridgeport, is where City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran made his sweet rug.