Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

New Austin Park Field House Provides New Opportunities for West Side Kids

By Joe Ward | September 25, 2015 5:36am
 A view of Moore Park's new basketball gym, as seen from the park's new jungle gym.
A view of Moore Park's new basketball gym, as seen from the park's new jungle gym.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Joe Ward

AUSTIN — Basketball and volleyball leagues, "tiny tot sports" programs and other recreational opportunities are now available to West Side residents thanks to a new field house at Moore Park, 5085 W. Adams St.

The new building is one of several improvements at the park after years of the community asking for a park facility that could benefit the community.

Now the park also boasts a new playground, spray fountain, basketball court and a community garden.

The field house fell into disrepair in recent years, including bullet holes and a faltering facade, according to a Chicago Tribune story from 2010.

So the existing tiny field house was upgraded before city and state grants were secured to build the gym, which opened July 29. The $2.8 million project was funded with $1.5 million from the state and the rest from the city and private money, according to state Rep. La Shawn Ford.

"This is a perfect collaboration between the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago," Ford said in a statement. "The West Side can benefit from organized efforts to build up the community, just like this successful project."

With the expanded facility, the park is looking to cater to the many students in schools next to or a few blocks from the park. King Jesuit College Prep, opened right across the street from the park, uses the site heavily, a parks employee said.

Derek Brown sat on a bench while his kids played on the Moore Park playground. He said he and his two young daughters had seen the new gym built on to the existing field house.

Though he had not personally used it yet, Brown, an Austin resident, said the facility had some drawbacks.

"Well, for one thing, it's blocking the skyline," said Brown of the field house at Moore, 5085 W. Adams St. Plus, there is already a pristine basketball court at the park, albeit an outside one.

"I'm ambivalent. It could have used a computer room or something."

"It's something better than nothing," said Wilton Culverson, who was standing outside the field house door. "Hopefully it gives something for kids to do."

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: