Governor Quinn Announces Major Investments in Chicago Park District

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced capital investments of $3.8 million for the Chicago Park District to make improvements to Douglas, Eckhart, Garfield and LaFollette Parks in Chicago. Supported by the Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the projects are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to increase recreational opportunities, create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"Chicago's green spaces are some of the finest urban parks in the nation," Governor Quinn said. "These improvements will create jobs and enhance recreational opportunities available to many children and families across the city."

"The funding provided by the PARC grant is vital to the maintenance and upkeep of these facilities," said Michael P. Kelly, General Superintendent of the Chicago Park District. "We are grateful for Governor Quinn's support in providing safe and inviting places for children and their families."

Douglas Park will receive $1.5 million to rehabilitate the interior and exterior of its 86-year-old field house. The improvements include concrete and masonry restoration, renovation of the windows and doors, new roof and gutters, plumbing infrastructure upgrades and interior finishes such as upgrades to the restrooms, locker rooms, lobby and lighting. All upgrades will comply with accessibility standards and will allow the park to better serve the community with quality and reliable recreation opportunities. The total estimated project cost is $2 million.

Douglas Park was first designed in 1871 by William Le Baron Jenney, whose creative engineering transformed previously unusable marsh into public park land. However, by the turn of the century the park was neglected and dilapidated. As part of a reform effort in 1905, Jens Jensen, General Superintendent of the Chicago West Park System and Chief Landscape Architect, improved deteriorating sections of the park and added new features including a new field house in 1928. Since then the field house has been providing programming to the community including athletics, arts and yoga. The park is popular among residents, offering over 50 programs annually at over 90 percent capacity.

Eckhart Park will receive $1,125,000 to rehabilitate the interior and exterior of its field house. The improvements will include a new roof and gutters, masonry, windows and doors, interior finishes, upgraded bathrooms and locker rooms with accessibility improvements and the installation of a dehumidification system. The upgrades to Eckhart Park field house will allow the park to better serve the community with quality and reliable recreation opportunities. The total estimated project cost is $1.5 million.

The South Park Commission created Eckhart Park in 1907 as part of a revolutionary neighborhood park system which improved the difficult living conditions in Chicago's congested tenement districts. The brick field house and natatorium (1908) was designed by William Carbys Zimmerman, who then served as the State Architect for Illinois. The historic field house and natatorium continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities to residents including tumbling, fitness, athletics, art and swimming.

Garfield Park will receive $337,500 to rehabilitate and stabilize the roof and exterior masonry of its field house. The total estimated project cost is $450,000. Garfield Park was designed in the late 1800s and later developed in phases into the early 1900s. A series of notable architects contributed to the various buildings and Jens Jensen's Prairie Style is reflected throughout the landscape.

LaFollette Park will receive $937,500 to rehabilitate the interior and exterior of the field house, an impressive Italian Renaissance Revival-style building with a large auditorium, two gymnasiums, indoor swimming pool, lobbies, promenade and gallery. Built in 1928 under architects Michaelsen & Rognstad, the field house today serves close to 2,000 residents annually and is at over 80 percent program capacity. Work will include restoration of windows and doors, upgrades to interior plumbing and drainage, and restoration of interior and exterior finishes damaged by water. Renovations to the LaFollette Park Field House will allow the park to better serve the community with quality and reliable recreation opportunities for years to come. The total estimated project cost is $1.25 million.

The investments announced today are part of $50 million available through the Parks and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and funded by Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program. PARC provides investments to eligible local governments for park and recreation construction projects. Eligible projects include land acquisition, development, architectural planning, construction, rehabilitation and improvements. The PARC program may provide up to 75 percent of approved project costs, with the exception of local governments defined as "disadvantaged," which will be eligible for up to 90 percent funding.

"Maintaining and upgrading our urban green spaces and related facilities is an important part of our mission to provide recreation that is safe and accessible to all," Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller said. "Chicago's parks also are an important part of the city's cultural history, and these resources will help preserve that history for future generations."

The park projects are part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.