New Playground At Beverly Park Breaks Ground

CHICAGO, IL - Mayor Rahm Emanuel was in the neighborhood on Thursday to mark the start of multiple projects public officials say will benefit children in Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Morgan Park.

First, Emanuel joined 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea and officials from the Chicago Park District at the groundbreaking of a new playground at Beverly Park.

When construction is complete at the Beverly Park playground, new equipment will include a swing set, net climbers and a spinning play feature. There will also be new artificial turf surfacing, asphalt ramp leading into the playground, park signage and modifications to the existing timber walls, according to a news release from the mayor's office. The spray pool on the northwest corner of the park will stay where in its current place.

Emanuel and O'Shea were later at Mount Greenwood and Esmond elementary schools with Chicago Public Schools officials to mark the start of annexes planned at both schools.

Mt. Greenwood Elementary will see a 27,000 square foot annex that will include 13 new classrooms, a science lab, offices, storage and utility rooms, bathrooms and an elevator. Outside the school there will be a new playground, parking lot and storm water management infrastructure.

At Esmond, a 20,000 square foot annex will include a classroom, computer lab, science lab, art room with storage, library, dining room, hybrid kitchen and dining area, administrative office, bathrooms, building storage, an elevator and building support space. The project will also include a renovated parking lot, load area, refuse enclosure, storm water management infrastructure, a new outdoor playground, community garden and turf field.

Both annexes are expected to be complete by January 2019.

“This series of investments on the south west side will create the state-of-the-art facilities and extra space necessary to support the future of our children and the future of our city,” Emanuel said. “Together with Alderman O’Shea, we are proud to make smart, critical investments that help both students and residents to strengthen the social fabric of this community."

O'Shea said the projects "will not only benefit our children, they will become community staples that benefit our residents for generations to come.”

Photos courtesy of Brooke Collins/ City of Chicago