Mayor Daley Dedicates New Artificial Turf Soccer Field at McKinley Park

Mayor Richard M. Daley dedicated a state-of-the-art artificial turf soccer field in McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd., and thanked residents of the 11th Ward for their help in moving the City forward.

“I’m here today to thank every resident, every business and every not-for-profit for their advice, support and cooperation. Thank you for participating in the process. Thank you for your ideas, your input and your time,” Daley said at another stop on the “Neighborhood Appreciation Tour” he is making before he leaves office in May.

Daley pointed out that McKinley Park, which opened in 1902, served as the model for a whole system of neighborhood parks on the South Side.

“These innovative neighborhood parks influenced the development of other parks throughout the United States. To this day, they provide Chicagoans with things that every urban resident needs: recreational opportunities, open space and natural beauty,” he said.

The Mayor said the new field represents the City’s commitment to meeting the rapidly-growing needs for new turf fields all around Chicago.The field was paid for in part with $1 million raised by the Parkways Foundation and with proceeds from the Lollapalooza concert.

“But there is always a need for more open space and for more recreational and community facilities citywide,” Daley said.

The Mayor highlighted some of the things the City and 11th ward residents have accomplished together:

*  Palmisano Stearns Quarry Park, which opened in 2009 at 2700 S. Halsted St. This is a dynamic, 27-acre space with a fishing pond, wetlands, preserved quarry walls, trails, an athletic field, a running track, and a hill that offers dramatic views of the city. The former limestone quarry was used as a landfill until its conversion to a park.

*  The expansion of Taylor-Lauridsen Park in 2009 resulted in a brand new 18,500 square-foot field house. located at 704 W. 42nd St. The park now includes a full-sized gymnasium, staff offices, divisible club rooms, fitness room, gym storage, Veteran’s Memorial, new walkways around the building, central lobby and locker and shower rooms. The city aided in the remediation the land.

*  The amount of open space in the ward has been increased with the creation of campus parks at the Graham and Armour public schools and river walk paths.

*  The Public Building Commission completed renovations in 2000 to the Armour Square Park Field House.