Officials cut the ribbon on renovated Holstein Park fieldhouse, break ground on new fieldhouse at Maplewood Park
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Park District CEO & Superintendent Michael P. Kelly joined city and state officials today to open the renovated fieldhouse at Holstein Park in the Logan Square neighborhood. Officials also broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art fieldhouse at Maplewood Park in the West Town community.
“We continue to make no small plans as we move forward with improvements at Maplewood Park and Holstein Park,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Both Maplewood and Holstein parks will provide community members and families of all ages with a revitalized place for recreation.”
The completed fieldhouse renovation project at Holstein Park in Logan Square included updates to the outdoor pool, locker rooms and restrooms; the addition of club rooms; and plumbing renovation. Holstein Park’s fieldhouse, which was built in 1912, is part of the “Save Chicago’s Treasures” initiative to improve 20 aging Park District facilities in neighborhoods throughout Chicago.
“New park field houses are investments not only in the parks that serve our communities, but more importantly, in the people that visit them,” said Superintendent Kelly. “Parks and their facilities are hubs of activity and offer opportunities for recreation and entertainment that improve the quality of life for residents, build strong neighborhoods and create a better Chicago.”
The new single story fieldhouse to be built in West Town's Maplewood Park will provide park visitors with access to many new amenities, including two new club rooms, offices, a lobby, restrooms and storage space.
"Maplewood Park is a community anchor where families and residents of all ages come together," 1st Ward Alderman Joe Moreno said. "Once complete, this new fieldhouse will continue supporting this community by providing the safe recreational, learning and gathering places that west side residents deserve."
The “Save Chicago’s Treasure” initiative is supported by a $26 million investment from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Chicago Park District. Parks include: Archer Park; Austin Town Hall Park; Columbus Park; Douglas Park; Dvorak Park; Eckhart Park; Fosco Park; Hamilton Park; Harrison Park; Holstein Park; La Follette Park; Lincoln Cultural Park; Mann Natatorium; McKinley Park; Palmer Park; Ridge Park; River Park; Robichaux Park; South Side Cultural Center; and West Pullman Park. Completion of all projects is expected by the end of 2019.
New fieldhouses, like the one at Maplewood Park, are key components of Building on Burnham, the Mayor's comprehensive plan to invest in the Lakefront, the Chicago River, natural areas and recreational opportunities in neighborhoods across the city. Under the Building on Burnham plan, 985 acres of parks have been acquired and 5.5 miles of waterfront access have been developed since 2011, with continued plans to acquire additional parkland and further develop the waterfront in the coming years.