RAHM WATCH: Mayor grabs a headline for doing his job, repairing Lowe Park
Rahm doing the ribbon cutting at Lowe Park. This photo was supplied to the press by the Mayor's Press Office. Photo credit Brooke Collins.While Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was trying to grab as much media attention as possible off the joy over the performance of the Jackie Robinson West Little League team in the Little League World Series, the Mayor's Press Office continued to provide Chicago media with pre-digested versions of reality on an almost daily basis.
These come in the form of complete news stories of the mayor doing his job, usually surrounded by smiling black children. Distributed by "The Mayor's Press Office" they are paid for completely by taxpayers.
PRESS RELEASE ABOUT LOWE PARK:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. August 24, 2014
MAYOR EMANUEL, CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT CUT RIBBON ON LOWE PARK PLAYGROUND, BUILDING EXPANSION. Fieldhouse doubles in size, new half-court basketball facility added
CONTACT: Mayor�s Press Office. 312.744.3334. press@cityofchicago.org
Chicago Park District. Jessica Maxey-Faulkner. 312.742.4786. jessica.maxey-faulkner@chicagoparkdistrict.com
MAYOR EMANUEL, CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT CUT RIBBON ON LOWE PARK PLAYGROUND, BUILDING EXPANSION. Fieldhouse doubles in size, new half-court basketball facility added
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Park District General Superintendent Michael Kelly, Alderman Pat Dowell and members of the Back of the Yards community cut the ribbon on the new playground and expansion to Lowe Park.
�Memories are made, friendships are formed and community is strengthened in our parks � these new facilities will provide another safe space for children and families in the Back of the Yards neighborhood to gather, play and stay active,� said Mayor Emanuel. �Investments in our parks are investments in our communities, and the investments made here at Lowe Park have transformed the space into what will become a community hub.�
The new ADA accessible playground, part of Mayor Emanuel�s Chicago Plays! program, includes challenging play equipment for children ages two through 12. In addition, the Lowe Park field house has more than doubled in size, growing from 1,100 square feet to 2,500 square feet. The expansion includes a new half-court basketball facility with new hardwood flooring, windows, lighting and wall padding. The building was also updated with a new kitchen, new work station with voice/data connections and a new office for park staff. Exterior improvements include a new roof, masonry walls, signage, concrete walkways, window security guards, ornamental iron fencing and landscaping improvements.
�The improvements we�ve made at Lowe Park are part of our efforts to enhance recreation opportunities in parks in this community and across the city, particularly for our children,� said Superintendent Kelly. �The field house was heavily utilized, and we hope to encourage even more residents to become active as a result of this expansion.�
The playground at Lowe Park is one of the 103 playgrounds to be rebuilt or refurbished this year under Mayor Emanuel�s Chicago Plays! playground renovation program. The initiative was launched last spring by Mayor Emanuel, who announced that over the next five years, the Park District will rebuild, repair and/or refurbish 325 playgrounds in communities across Chicago. The program invests approximately $125,000 in new playground equipment at each park location for a total program cost of $37,500,000, providing a broad investment in capital projects throughout the City.
Last year, 50 playgrounds were rehabilitated through the program. Additionally, 11 soft surface playgrounds were rehabbed by the Park District. The Park District partnered with Friends of the Park to seek community input to prioritize playground locations.
Improvements to the field house cost approximately $1.09 million, funded by a combination of City, state and Chicago Park District money. The Mayor updated the outdoor basketball court at Lowe Park within the last two years.
For more information, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312.742.PLAY, 312.747.2001 (TTY).
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For more information about the Chicago Park District�s more than 8,100 acres of parkland, more than 580 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, nine museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling, 312/742.PLAY.
Photo Credit: Brooke Collins // City of Chicago
Photo Caption: Mayor Emanuel, Chicago Park District Cut Ribbon On Lowe Park Playground, Building Expansion?
