Mandrake Park

900 E. Pershing Rd. Chicago IL 60653

Hours: 6AM - 11PM

Park Supervisor:
Bobbie Beckam (Ellis Park in Doolittle School)

(312) 656-0423

Description

This popular playground is located in the Oakland Community. The park features tennis courts, basketball courts, two baseball diamonds and a quarter mile running/walking track and picnic areas and comfort station. Infant and youth swings, a playground, benches and, green space. It is an active community park.

While there is no structured programming taking place at this location, we invite you to check out our great programs offered at nearby Ellis Park in Doolittle School or Kennicott Park for recreation in the gym and fun in the outdoor Fitness Center.

FACILITIES

FACILITY TYPE	ADDRESS	QTY
Baseball Field	900 E. Pershing Rd.	1
Basketball Court - Outdoor	900 E. Pershing Rd.	1
Football / Soccer - Turf	900 E. Pershing Rd.	1
Playgrounds	900 E. Pershing Rd.	1
Tennis Courts	900 E. Pershing Rd.	1

History

In the early 1990s, when the Chicago Department of Transportation undertook improvements to Pershing Road and Oakwood Boulevard, the Chicago Park District began planning a new park between the two parallel streets. Numerous public meetings were held to obtain the views of residents of Douglas to the north and Grand Boulevard to the south concerning how best to design the park to draw the two communities together. After acquiring the property in 1998, the Chicago Park District developed plans for a multi-purpose athletic field, a running track, and a landscaped border to buffer the park from traffic. Work on the park continues. The park honors Henry McNeil "Mandrake" Brown (1935-1996), who initiated grassroots efforts to eliminate alcohol- and tobacco-related billboards specifically targeting African-American and Latino children. Using the name Mandrake to shield his identity, Brown began whitewashing objectionable billboards in 1990. The first of these billboards was located at Oakwood Boulevard and Pershing Road. Brown's efforts became the basis for preventing Powere Master Malt Liquor from being marketed to African-Americans; removing 700 illegal billboards in Chicago through use of Chicago's zoning laws; and removing alcohol and tobacco billboards located within 500 feet of schools and churches. Brown also founded the Citywide Coalition Against Tobacco and Alcohol Billboards and the National Association for Positive Imagery.