ENGLEWOOD — City officials broke ground this week on a new track and field at Lindblom Park, 6054 S. Damen Ave., which is scheduled to be complete by October.
Officials said the field will be used for soccer and football and will be surrounded by a quarter-mile rubber running track with eight lanes. There will also be a long jump pit and high jump area.
The field, paid for in part by $2 million in tax-increment financing, will be open to the community but will also be used by Lindblom Math & Science Academy.
“This investment at Lindblom complements the many other city investments in the Englewood community, from Whole Foods to the Libby Early Childhood Center,” said Amy Rule, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's wife, who was at the groundbreaking Monday. “With this new track and field, Lindblom high school students will continue to be champions in the fields of math and science as well as in track and field.”
In a statement, Emanuel hailed the improvements to the park.
“The future soccer and football field at Lindblom Park is part of my ongoing commitment to bring world-class facilities to neighborhoods throughout Chicago,” Emanuel said. “It is my mission to ensure that the new addition will be a staple in the West Englewood community and will serve as a recreation hub for residents and students of Lindblom Math & Science Academy.”
Michael Kelly, general superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District, said he hopes the new track and field “will have a positive impact on the community and inspire people to engage in outdoor recreation.”
The groundbreaking comes as the Chicago Park District is one of four finalists for a national award, and park district officials said some of its South Side parks helped secure the nomination.
The 2014 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by the National Recreation and Park Association will be chosen in October. The other three finalists are Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation in Georgia; National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Maryland; and Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities, Arizona.
“This is the first time that the Chicago Park District has received such recognition. This is a highly competitive process and being named as a finalist is quite an accomplishment,” said Jessica Maxey-Faulkner, a spokeswoman for the park district.
The Park District has 589 parks including Sherwood, Hamilton and Ogden parks in Englewood, and Auburn Park in Auburn Gresham.
Maxey-Faulkner said these four parks offer various programs that make them unique in their neighborhoods.
Sherwood Park, 5701 S. Shields Ave., currently houses the only remaining violin program in the Chicago Park District system.
“Students were recently treated to a visit [in May] by violinist Rachel Barton. Sherwood Park also houses a culinary arts program for teens in partnership with Kennedy King’s culinary school,” Maxey-Faulkner said.
Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St., has architectural structure that features both archery and golf programming, Maxey-Faulkner said. Hamilton is one of 13 cultural centers — locations that offer music, dance and arts classes — and will serve as a designated venue for many of the city’s “Night Out” performances this summer.
Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine Ave., includes a gymnasium, fitness center, dance studio, a multi purpose room, boxing gym and a garden. Outside, the park offers three playgrounds, a walking track, swimming pool, baseball diamonds, and basketball and tennis courts.
Auburn Park, 406 W Winneconna Pkwy, located in the Auburn Gresham community, offers a lagoon and a waterfall as well as the ability to go fishing.
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