About Challenger Park

Challenger Park, appropriately named in memory of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster of January 28, 1986, is the playground of Christa McAuliffe Elementary School. Christa McAuliffe was a teacher aboard the Challenger when it exploded. The school and the playground were built the year after the Challenger disaster as well.

I couldn’t find the exact square footage of the park area, but it’s definitley not short on space for play. It has Victor J. Andrew High School’s football and track field right nextdoor, with a soccer field that I imagine both the elementary school and high school share. So your little one can run to their heart’s content. You’re definitely going to get Breakfast Club vibes from Andrew High School’s football field and stands.

*DYK that my high school alma mater is in fact the high school that was used in the movie The Breakfast Club (1985)? Yup, good ol’ Maine East High School in Park Ridge.

In many ways I think this is the most Tinley Park park of the parks of Tinley Park. Say that 10 times fast. ☺️ The only thing lacking is a swing set, but hey, we can’t get everything we want in life.

For parking, it’s super easy: just park in the school parking lot.

Favorite parts: My daughter loves slides like any 2 year old would, but she really fancies the rock wall at Challenger Park. But I think the soccer field gives her the most to do because she can chase our dog Samantha all around it.

Location Address:
8944 W. 174th Street, Tinley Park, IL 60487

Click on any of the photos below to get a good look at the park in all four seasons.