Financial measures approved today by City Council will provide open space improvements in four Chicago neighborhoods.

Alcott College Prep, 2625 N. Orchard St.
Alcott College Prep, located at 2625 N. Orchard Street in Lincoln Park, will be reimbursed $600,000 in Open Space Impact Fees for the second phase of its “Field of Dreams” school improvement project, which includes the construction of a 28,000-square-foot artificial turf field, running track, and permeable play area and basketball court. The balance of the $1.5 million project, which will include asphalt removal and a new drainage system, will be funded by a state grant and school fundraising campaign.

“This project has been a long time coming, and I am thrilled that this project is moving forward so that Alcott College Prep will have a state of the art space for recreational opportunities,” said Alderman Michele Smith.

The Friends of Alcott foundation has been instrumental in getting the turf project done. Since 2011, they have worked closely with Alderman Michele Smith, Congressman Mike Quigley and Representative Ann Smith to source funding and complete the project.

“We are grateful to the City of Chicago for their commitment to parks and outdoor recreation across the city, which allows us to further our progress in building a new turf field and outdoor sports facilities at Alcott College Preparatory School,” said Alcott College Prep Principal Elias Estrada. “We look forward to the completion of the Field of Dreams at Alcott, which will benefit not only our students and families, but will serve as a centerpiece for the entire community.”

Open Space Impact Fees are collected by the City of Chicago from new residential developments to help expand the amount of open space in each of the city's 77 community areas.

Buckthorn Park, 4347 S. Calumet Ave.
The $1.68 million expansion of Buckthorn Playlot Park in Grand Boulevard will be supported by $200,000 in TIF assistance. Currently a playlot, the space is being expanded to two acres. The TIF funds will be in addition to the $1.1 million in Open Space Impact Fees approved last year for paving, fencing, water features, a dog friendly area, and other amenities. The remaining cost will be paid by the Chicago Park District and $200,000 in surplus funds from the 2012 NATO summit. The Park District intends to rename the park in honor of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old King College Prep student who was shot and killed in 2013 in a case of mistaken identity.

New Horizon Center, 6727 W. Forest Preserve Ave.
A City-owned vacant lot on the northwest corner of Irving Park Road and Oak Park Avenue in Dunning will be sold and incorporated into a 1.2-acre open space and recreation project by the New Horizon Center for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Autism. The land, appraised at $160,000, will be sold for $1. Founded in 1967, New Horizon Center provides a learning environment and activities for people with developmental challenges. The $600,000 open space project will accommodate the recreational needs of the center’s clients.

Dvorak Park, 1119 W. Cullerton St.
Planned improvements to the field house, pool building, and grounds at Dvorak Park on the Lower West Side will be supported by $996,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance. The 5.6-acre site park is named for the famous Czech composer Anton Dvorak and was designed by the landscape architect Jens Jensen.

Upgrades will include new windows, doors, HVAC system, exterior masonry work, and the addition of a new playground at the northeast corner of the park. The total project cost will be $1.5 million. The balance of the project was going to be paid by state park funding that had previously been awarded to the Chicago Park District. However, last week, the Park District was instructed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to immediately freeze state grants awarded for park improvements, including the planned improvements at Dvorak Park. A total of 27 Chicago projects at 25 parks across Chicago stand to lose $28 million for improvements if this funding is not restored.

“Governor Rauner’s decision to suspend grants for new parks across Chicago – including the Dvorak Park facility renovation – will hurt every child who wants to play, and is a slight to every parent who wants their child to have a safe, community-oriented place to enjoy,” said Mayor Emanuel. “These previously awarded funds must be restored so that we can continue to build a better Chicago, community by community.”

The Park District is proceeding with the design phase of the project, but the final scope of the construction will be dependent on if the state funding is restored.

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