Massive Roseland park ‘just the beginning’ of nonprofit’s vision for Far South Side
“It’s a blessing,” said Louis Clay, a lifelong resident of the Far South Side. “It lets them be kids.”
Clay and his son Jahari were among the first to step foot in POP! Heights Saturday morning, the latest product of city and nonprofit cooperation that aims to revive “underutilized” spaces through the Public Outdoor Plaza program.
The 22,000-square-foot green space at Halsted and 113th Street is the largest of four existing POP parks, boasting a stage, rollerblading circuit and basketball court along with gardens and picnic tables.
The park’s creation happened over nine months, starting with Far South Community Development Corp. being awarded a contract from the city to create POP! Heights. Construction was supported by $540,000 in grants from Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Chicago Recovery Plan.
“It has been truly a labor of love,” said the group’s planning director, Katanya Raby. “I just see so many amazing possibilities coming from this one park.”
The property, owned by Sheldon Heights Church of Christ, formerly served as a community garden, a “peace park” and a farmer’s market in the 25 years the church has owned it, according to pastor Leonardo Gilbert.
Gilbert said the park is an important resource in a community that faces challenges with gun violence.
“Years ago, kids went out to play and parents never thought of it,” Gilbert said. “Kids ought to be concerned about being children. It’s our responsibility to make sure they had what I had — a safe place to play.”
But POP! Heights is “just the beginning,” according to Raby.
It’s the first stage of a Far South Community Development Corp. initiative that also envisions an entertainment district and housing — if the group wins a $10 million grant from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation next month.
Such a development would allow residents to put money back into local businesses, something Raby says they haven’t been able to do.
“This community has the dollars, we are just having to go elsewhere to spend them,” Raby said, noting she has had to drive her children outside Roseland for certain amenities when she lived there for six years. “We shouldn’t have to go to the North Side of Chicago to enjoy a meal with our families.”