Olyvia Jarmoszka, Treasurer
Chicago Park District Investor Relations
Chicago Park District Investor Relations
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1130 Midway Plaisance North
Chicago,IL60637
United States
Hyde Park
In July 2016, the Obama Foundation announced that Jackson Park will be the site of the Obama Presidential Center (OPC). In addition to the construction of the center itself, the project includes a number of site improvements in and around Jackson Park. Anticipated site improvements include roadway reconfiguration to accommodate the OPC, the construction of new bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and the relocation of certain recreational uses that will be displaced to accommodate the OPC. Because the proposed project area is located on property listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of both the Jackson Park Historic Landscape District and Midway Plaisance and the Chicago Park Boulevard System Historic District, the project is subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. As part of this process, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Federal Highway Administration, the Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation was executed in December 2021. The MOA identifies feasible measures to resolve any adverse effects identified in the Section 106 process that could impact the historic integrity of the project area. For more information on the federal review process, please visit the City’s project website.
The scope of work of this project addresses one of the mitigation measures identified in the draft MOA: Replacement of recreational use area within Jackson Park that was restored in the 1980s using Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) grant money. Because the footprint of the OPC development will modify the original UPARR boundary within Jackson Park, the City is required to dedicate replacement recreation property elsewhere. As part of a UPARR Amendment executed in May 2021 between the National Park Service and the City of Chicago (Grantee) and the Chicago Park District (Subgrantee), the recreation replacement will be partially addressed through the dedication of recreation area at the east end of the Midway Plaisance. To replace lost recreational opportunities and respond to community requests, the recreation replacement site will accommodate a combination of play area, open space, and rehabilitated walkways.
The new park development started design in 2021 under Site Design Group as team lead. The project includes development of approximately 3.3 acres to include a new, fully inclusive 21,000 square foot playground that integrates nature play into the design. The one-of-a-kind playground and the first of its kind in a Chicago Park features an environment that welcomes children and adults of all ages and abilities to play and interact together, allowing people of varying skills sets to play side-by-side in a thoughtful, well-designed, and sensory rich environment that challenges individuals at their own level.
Other park improvements include restoration of the historic Cheney-Goode Memorial and associated site drainage and utility work.
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