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Join us for our next meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Portage
Park Senior Center (on Berteau between Central and Long).
Friends of Portage
Park - Download Park Survey
Contact Us
This past summer, a group of concerned residents upset with the
abysmal conditions of the Portage Park Playlot got together to
discuss how to improvements could be made. As a result of that
discussion, a Parks Committee was formed under the Portage Park
Neighborhood Association. Creating a Portage Park Advisory Council
for Portage Park is the next step in the process. Portage Park is
considered one of the most used if not the most used park in the
entire north region. The playground is not handicap accessible or
ADA compliant. The equipment is old and antiquated and not age
appropriate.
Members of the Committee have been working with the Chicago Park
District and their elected officials including our 38th Ward
Alderman, Thomas Allen who has pledged his support for the project.
The group has a long road ahead. They have been told by Chicago Park
District officials that playlot projects of similar size have cost
approximately $1 million. The Park District has communicated a 1/3,
1/3, 1/3 approach, saying that they would give 1/3 of the total cost
of the project, 1/3 would come from the City and 1/3 from State and
Federal Legislators, area businesses and other community support.
The Committee is seeking several improvements to the Portage Park
Playlot including: replacing all equipment and installing age
appropriate equipment that is ADA compliant; consideration of large
family population; soft rubberized surface; additional landscaping
and shade trees; and a performance area for family concerts and
educational demonstrations.
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