Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Superintendent Michael P. Kelly, Alderman George Cardenas (12th Ward) and members of the Little Village community gathered on Sunday to break ground on the “big park in Little Village” located at 2800 S. Sacramento Ave, the former Celotex site in the South Lawndale community.
“While this park has taken many years, we’re glad that this groundbreaking is here and are anxious to get started. The persistence of the community paid off. Residents will benefit tremendously when the big park in Little Village opens,” said Alderman George Cardenas, 12th Ward.
Earlier this month the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners approved a $10.1 million contract with Friedler Construction Company to begin construction work at the park. The contractor, the lowest of five competitors, was selected following a publicly advertised invitation for bid.
The park was developed with input gathered at more than a dozen stakeholder and public meetings. Amenities in the developed park will include: artificial turf soccer fields with sports lighting; a natural grass baseball and softball field; two basketball courts; skate park; a large playground with rubber safety surfacing and water spray feature; comfort station with concession and restrooms; picnic pavilion; parking lot; promenade through the park; multi-use trail; open lawn areas for events; pathway lighting; and landscape elements throughout the park.
“After many years of struggle, the construction of the new park in Little Village is a tremendous victory for the community,” said Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) Executive Director Antonio Lopez, Ph.D. “LVEJO is proud to have assisted in turning this superfund site into a green public park that will contribute to the health and wellness of the community for generations.”
Construction will begin before the end of the month and is estimated to be completed by fall 2014. Funding sources for the project include $4 million each from the Chicago Park District and the City of Chicago; $8 million from the State of Illinois; and $1.4 million from the state-financed Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant.
