Projects

Address

10540 S. Morgan St.
Chicago,IL60643
United States

Community Area

Washington Heights

Project Description

Jackie Robinson Park is a 12.27-acre park located in the Washington Heights neighborhood. The park features a playground, softball/baseball diamonds, and basketball courts. The park is adjacent to a CPS facility and Mt. Vernon Elementary School. A recent agreement with CPS allows the Park District to demolish an unused school annex building and build a new fieldhouse for the community.  

The new fieldhouse will provide the community with a vital neighborhood amenity and will pay homage to the park's namesake, Jackie Robinson. The current building design features art and design concepts that honor Robinson, such as a printed portrait in the fieldhouse's lobby and a color scheme that complements his former Dodger's uniform.. 

The fieldhouse will include two multipurpose clubrooms, a full-sized gymnasium, fitness center, teen room, pantry, lobby, storage space, offices, and restrooms. Site improvements will include staff parking, paving, and landscaping. 

The new 18,000 sq ft fieldhouse will be compact and efficient. Welcoming entrances will connect the fieldhouse, park, playground and school. Inside, the gymnasium will contain a full-size basketball court and two half size courts with retractable bleachers. The lobby will serve as the central hub of the building allowing for visibility to activities inside and outside. The two multipurpose clubrooms will provide a meeting space for community use and park kids, while the adjacent pantry can be used for food prep and catering services. The fitness/wellness center will house new multi-generational workout equipment and the teen center will allow space for youth to gather for activities and recreation. 

This project is funded through a State of Illinois, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant.