Portage Park:Portage Park is located on the northwest side of the City of Chicago, Illinois and is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas. Portage Park is bordered by the community areas of Jefferson Park and Forest Glen to the north, Dunning and the suburb of Harwood Heights to the west, Irving Park to the east and Belmont-Cragin to the south. The area is notable for its Six Corners outdoor shopping district, centered at the intersection of Irving Park Road, Cicero Avenue and the diagonal Milwaukee Avenue, the Portage Theater and for its namesake - Portage Park. The name of the park was taken from the major portage linking Des Plaines and the Chicago River along what is today Irving Park Road. The area was so swampy that Native Americans and trappers were easily able to paddle through the area without leaving their canoes. Portage Park has the largest Polish community in the Chicago Metropolitan Area according to the 2000 census. Portage Park is home to the Polish American Association, the Polish Jesuit Millennium Center, the Polish Army Veterans Association in the beautiful building of the former Irving State bank, in addition to the multitude of Polish shops and businesses throughout the district. One of the area's park's is named Chopin Park after Frederic Chopin, Poland's most famous pianist and composer.Walk score: 86/100Transit score: 74/100Bike score: 86/100Things to DoRecreation: Chicago River North Branch, Edgebrook Golf Course, Habetler Bowl, parks (Jefferson, Roberts Square, Austin-Foster, Gladstone), and woods (Ted Lechowicz, Indian, Forest Glen)Culture: Copernicus Center, The Gift Theatre, Ed Paschke Art Center, Chicago Public Library Jefferson Park BranchFestivals: Jeff Fest (June) Taste of Polonia (Labor Day Weekend)Shopping: Jefferson Park Sunday Market, Marianos, American Science Surplus (hardware), Gaelic Imports (Irish goods)For Foodies: Earls BBQ (drive-thru), Gale Street Inn Chicago (rib joint), Big Top (diner), Chicago Sweet Connection (bakery Greek treats), Andys Deli (long-standing butcher shop), Caf Marbella Tapas, Harringtons Catering Deli (Irish), Moms Old Recipe (Mexican), and SMAK-TAK! (Polish)