A groundbreaking ceremony has been held for a new park at 1628 W Hollywood Avenue in Andersonville. Located just west of the intersection with N Ashland Avenue, the park itself will replace a long-time vacant lot that previously held part of Edgewater Hospital. The park itself is being developed by the Chicago Park District along with local organizers, with Hitchcock Design Group working on its layout.
Site context map via Google Maps
The roughly 35,000-square-foot lot was once home to the second half of the famed hospital. Opening in 1929, the structure quickly became known for its state-of-the-art treatments and facilities. The hospital continued to grow through the 1980s, having been frequented by Frank Sinatra and also being the birthplace of Hillary Clinton. Eventually it closed in 2001 due to a major medical and insurance fraud controversy.
Site plan via Chicago Park District
After sitting vacant for over a decade, the eastern half of its structures were converted into 155 residential units in 2021. The developer then donated the western portion of the site for a new park. Now after years of advocacy, work can begin on the green space which will feature a large central open lawn, table and chair areas, drinking fountains, and passive Prairie-style landscaping. The site will also be surrounded by an ornamental fence.
Image from groundbreaking via Chicago Park District
Officially called Park 599, it is likely the neighbors will rally to have it renamed to West Edgewater Green Park according to Block Club. It will add much needed open space and bring the end to eyesore created by the vacated Hospital. Overall it will have a cost of $1.4 million with the design having been presented to the community previously. Work will continue through the winter with the park anticipated to open this coming spring.
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1.4 million for a block long flat park with huge empty lot in the middle? That’s insane. We need to start outsourcing all the city construction/repairs ASAP. Chicago can’t afford this kind of inflated outrageous prices
$1.4M sounds about right. There could be a lot of environmental cleanup of the previous “empty” lot. We did a lot of things “back in the day” that we now know to be harmful to our heath. Underground storage tanks, coal pits, heavy metals, etc. would need to be mitigated before installing trees, shrubs and a lawn that children play on. The ornamental fencing alone could cost $200k. Not to mention stormwater mitigation, which would need to be done even on this empty lot. Private companies would still need to meet these requirements.
Why do people like these big open lawn designs? I think it would be better to have more trees where the lawn is
because living in a dense city people crave open spaces
Parks are incredibly expensive to build no matter who you use – Everything from the design, landscaping, paving, environmental reviews, shipping, etc. The site plan alone shows a ton of trees which alone will be a lot of money, not to mention all new pavement that encircles the park. It looks like it will be very nice! Happy for the neighborhood.
Parks are just an excuse to spread communist socialism in our fragile pearl clutching communities.
Some see open space, I see free space for homeless and migrants to pimp out CPS students.
Why can’t they just dump some gallons of RoundUp on a windy day, sprinkle some Kentucky bluegrass, and call it a day?
Newsflash, parks don’t come cheap. Chicago prides itself as being one of the most accessible cities, in regards to green space, and we should continue building that legacy. And in case no one has realized, costs for EVERYTHING is up EVERYWHERE…
A good park is one that allows the user to create their own program. Provide good bones and people will do the rest. Los Angles has parks 1/4 the size for 10x the costs because they have to have a playground, cultural significance, performance space, accessible parking, and 90% of the time the tiny parcel is majority pavement.
Pray our government never gets clouded by “feel good” politics. The cost of this park is basically a steal in today’s money. Lasting impacts will definitely surpass this wise investment.
I live in a condo building and we were just getting quotes for a new landscaping from different bidders(new trees, pavements, flower beds etc) and just comparing the size – it doesn’t make any sense why this small park should cost 1.4m besides that Chicago Park district has no competition and can charge whatever they feel like at our expense. Same with roads and subway, did you see “upgraded” stations in medical district ? I bet they spent millions there too and it still looks like outdated 💩. Makes me furious. Chicago should look incredible with how much we’re paying for this public spaces and it’s not.
Open green space won’t survive. My two local parks are big mud pits where the grass used to be. Let’s call this what it is: a very expensive dog toilet.
Get a china team to do it for 10k.