Tennis On The Lake – Welles Park

Tennis On The Lake at Welles Park offers outdoor youth and adult tennis lessons inside one of the North Side’s most expansive and beloved community parks. Located at 2333 West Sunnyside Avenue at the intersection of Lincoln and Montrose Avenues in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, Gideon Welles Park spans nearly sixteen acres of tree-lined lawns, baseball and softball diamonds, a historic fieldhouse with an indoor heated swimming pool, an iconic wrought-iron gazebo, an ADA-accessible playground, and the award-winning NaturePlace natural play space. For Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, and North Center families, Tennis On The Lake’s presence at Welles Park provides a convenient neighborhood venue for children to learn tennis surrounded by family recreation amenities.

Running from spring through autumn across consecutive multi-week outdoor sessions, Junior Outdoor Tennis Programs at Welles Park serve children and teenagers ages 5 to 17 of all skill levels. Coaches certified in the exclusive TOTL training system divide students into age- and skill-appropriate groups—covering ages 5 to 7, 8 to 10, 11 to 13, and 14 to 17—and utilize USTA QuickStart progressions. Younger children train with larger, slower-bouncing red and orange low-compression balls on shortened 36-foot and 60-foot courts with modified nets so they can experience immediate success hitting over the net and sustaining rallies. Older and more experienced juniors progress to green-dot and regulation yellow balls, working on topspin groundstrokes, crisp volleys, consistent serves, court positioning, and match-play strategy.

Classes balance technical stroke instruction and fed-ball drills with active, game-based point play that builds agility, hand-eye coordination, and court etiquette in a supportive social setting. Alongside junior weekend and after-school clinics, Tennis On The Lake schedules adult outdoor group lessons and private or semi-private coaching at Welles Park, making it easy for parents and children to take lessons in the same neighborhood park.

No club membership or annual fee is required to register for any Tennis On The Lake program. Families can sign up for multi-week sessions, book single-class drop-ins after the opening week of a session, or reschedule missed classes for make-up credits through their online student account. Multi-class discounts on additional classes within the same session are available for families enrolling siblings or signing up for multiple weekly sessions, and holiday break workshops are offered during summer holiday breaks. Caregivers should ensure young players bring a properly sized tennis racquet, non-marking tennis shoes, water, and sun protection, and consult the TOTL weather hotline (312-998-7348) or website status banner before class if inclement weather threatens.