By: Ashmar Mandou

To coincide with Earth Day, Chicago Commons, on Wednesday, revealed the new Paulo Freire Family Center Playground in Chicago’s Back of the Yards/New City neighborhood. The new playground is the first natural playground built for a Chicago Head Start program, incorporating nature into traditional playground activities. “This new playground enriches our city’s growing network of high quality early learning facilities and is a model for others to follow,” said Evelyn Diaz, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Family Support Services.

The playground includes a variety of plants for children to explore and ample play spaces such as a stage, which is an open field and a log alcove. The creation of a natural playground in an economically challenged neighborhood will help nurture children to grow through creative self-discovery while interacting with others, stated Diaz. Ninety percent of the children served at the Paulo Freire Family Center are from low-income families. With limited resources and chances to travel outside of the community, the new playground provides will offer children a new opportunity to connect with the outdoors. “We are very excited to open this new playground,” said Dan Valliere, executive director of Chicago Commons. The space is an energetic, fun place where children can play and explore while connecting more directly with the natural world. We are thankful to all everyone who supported and championed this important project.”

Chicago Commons is also planning to renovate three additional playgrounds in the Humboldt Park and Pilsen neighborhoods. For more information about Chicago Commons, visit www.chicagocommons.org.