The renovation of a Depression-era building to make it appropriate for public occasions is nearing completion, and a playground designed to be loved by all kids no matter their skills is within the works.
Those are two of the development tasks round Jackson Park and Midway Plaisance Park on the South Side that the Chicago Park District offered updates on throughout a digital assembly Wednesday.
The tasks embrace the continuing restoration and updating of the long-lasting Iowa building in Jackson Park so it could host occasions equivalent to farmer’s markets and picnics, in addition to plans to create a universally accessible playground in Midway Plaisance.
Heather Gleason, director of planning and improvement for the park district, highlighted the 21,000-square-foot play area throughout the presentation.
The playground will sit on the east finish of Midway Plaisance Park between Metra railroad tracks and South Stony Island Avenue.
Gleason mentioned the area is designed for folks of all ages and talents. It consists of “sensory nooks,” that are small areas that may enable folks with sensory points to get a break from the noise and different stimuli.
A rendering of the revamped “Iowa Building,” which the park district hopes can sooner or later host picnics and a farmer’s market.
The area will even characteristic areas — following Americans with Disabilities Act necessities — that may make it simpler for youngsters to play alongside friends who could have mobility points, Gleason mentioned.
The park district will even enhance drainage on the web site, as it’s vulnerable to flooding, and can plant extra timber. However, the location won’t characteristic everlasting bogs as a result of there wasn’t room within the finances, Gleason mentioned.
“It’s going to be only a actually distinctive area,” Gleason mentioned. “We’re actually excited that the group goes to have this distinctive characteristic.”
Gleason mentioned the plans shall be taken to the park district board of commissioners for approval this month, including that contractors have already submitted bids for the challenge.
The Iowa building challenge ought to be executed by the tip of the second quarter this yr, she mentioned.
The building of the Obama Presidential Center throughout the road in Jackson Park prompted the playground challenge in Midway Plaisance, as a result of the Obama heart converts a piece of the park to non-recreational use. The playground is supposed to interchange the lack of that leisure area.
Many assembly attendees, who submitted typed questions, had been sad that the park district was redesigning already established park land as an alternative of making a brand new park on the South Side to make up for the misplaced leisure area.
They had been additionally involved about noise on the playground from avenue visitors and the close by Metra station. Others applauded the park district for enhancing the world for future generations.
Other updates included restoration of the Burnham Building in Jackson Park. Gleason mentioned the park district is seeking to rent an architectural agency that focuses on historic buildings for that challenge. Additionally, the bridge at Jackson Park’s Japanese backyard shall be changed by April.
The park district additionally plans to revamp ball fields at Jackson Park and add a brand new dog-friendly space.
