LINCOLN PARK — Tennis at Oz Park, anyone?
Donors and other community leaders are celebrating the four resurfaced courts after completion of the $104,000 project.
"They were awful," said Judy Johanson, president of the Oz Park Advisory Council, which led organization of the fundraising in conjunction with the Chicago Parks Foundation. "They've been in disrepair for years."
The project moved forward after fundraising snowballed last winter. Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) led the way with $30,000 from her discretionary aldermanic menu fund. Others who donated $5,000 or more, including the Lincoln Central Association, were recognized on a sign posted at the courts.
The courts are now is pristine shape, complete with new racket signup rails to create order in reserving the courts by the hour, as well as signs dictating the protocols.
Once school returns next month, the Lincoln Park High School tennis teams are expected to make use of the courts, along with Lincoln Elementary as well.
An asphalt pad to the side, a former volleyball court, also got resurfaced in the project.
The park is also getting 35 new trees to replace 26 lost last year to the emerald ash borer. Chicago Park District crews were designating spots for the new trees on Tuesday.
According to Johanson, the Oz Park Advisory Council hasn't yet designated the next major project on its to-do list, although the running track is a possibility.
