CHICAGO — With nearly 22,000 square feet of multi-use outdoor space, POP! Heights Park, along Roseland's South Halsted commercial corridor between 112th and 113th Streets is the first major new park along South Halsted in more than 50 years.
POP stands for the Public Outdoor Plaza program, which is a city initiative designed to help community-based organizations revitalize underutilized land along neighborhood retail corridors. Much of the funding was supported through grants from the Chicago Recovery Plan.
Heights Park is divided into six primary activity zones with a half basketball court, tree-filled seating areas, a stage for performances, community garden, and space for markets.
The property, owned by Sheldon Heights Church of Christ, formerly served as a community garden, a "peace park" and a farmers market in the 25 years the church has owned it, according to pastor Leonardo Gilbert.
Gilbert said the park is an important resource in a community that faces challenges with gun violence.
"Years ago, kids went out to play and parents never thought of it," Gilbert said. "Kids ought to be concerned about being children. It's our responsibility to make sure they had what I had — a safe place to play."
State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, brought his 4-year-old son, Russell, to the grand opening of an effort in "true community revitalization."
POP! Heights Park opened Saturday. It is the first new park to open along Chicago's South Halsted Corridor in 50 years.Far South Community Development Corporation
"These are the fabrics of any thriving community, so we're being really intentional about bringing these things to underserved communities," Slaughter said.
But POP! Heights is "just the beginning," according to Far South Community Development Corp. Director of Planning Katanya Raby.
It's the first stage of a Far South Community Development Corp. initiative that also envisions an entertainment district and housing — if the group wins a $10 million grant from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation next month.
Such a development would allow residents to put money back into local businesses, something Raby said they haven't been able to do.
A rendering of POP! Heights ParkFar South Community Development Corporation
"This community has the dollars, we are just having to go elsewhere to spend them," Raby said, noting she has had to drive her children outside Roseland for certain amenities while living there for six years. "We shouldn't have to go to the North Side of Chicago to enjoy a meal with our families."
Atahjionna Bishop, a representative from the Chicago Youth Centers, said the park is a way to challenge people's perceptions of the place where she grew up, and to encourage pride in being from the Far South Side.
"It shows you more things than just what you hear about [the community]," the 19-year-old said. "It's really a great neighborhood. … [The park] gives everybody a chance to get to know each other. It changes people's outlook on the city."
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report. The Chicago Sun-Times receives funding from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation.
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