Chicago Park District, Ald. Pat Dowell, DePaul University & Local Community Break Ground on Margaret Hie Ding Lin Park Renovation Project
8/27/2021 3:43:00 PM | ATHLETICS, MEN'S BASKETBALL, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, EXTERNAL OUTREACH
Park improvements include resurfacing of basketball court and a new half court facility
CHICAGO – The Chicago Park District joins Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward), DePaul University and local community members to break ground on the renovation of Margaret Hie Ding Lin Park, in the Near South community area, on Monday, August 30, 2021. The public park located at 1735 S. State St. features a basketball court, which will be fully renovated to provide additional opportunities for basketball programming for the community in partnership with DePaul University. The makeover is a valuable improvement over the existing facility and a welcome upgrade for park visitors and aspiring athletes seeking access to better quality public urban spaces to engage in active recreation and play.
"This project underscores the Chicago Park District's commitment to providing diverse, accessible opportunities that support Chicago's children and teens," said Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO Michael Kelly. "Upon completion, this park will be an invaluable resource for families in the community with children who aspire to learn and excel at basketball."
In addition to the revamped basketball court, the renovation will include a new half court facility, new bleachers, benches, lighting and a drinking fountain. Updated landscape and ADA accessibility improvements will also be part of the overall renovation. Located adjacent to the Orange Line CTA 'L' Train, the park is expected to be completed in Spring 2022 and will be a destination sports play area for future generations of players and current athletes to gather and play.
"Lin Park has been an indispensable resource in the South Loop neighborhood for many years. This facility has hosted basketball games, community events, and not to mention, the number of times it has been the backdrop for commercials and films," said Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd Ward. "It was time for a facelift; and I am happy to join the Chicago Park District, DePaul University and members of the South Loop and Chinatown neighborhood in working together to bring Lin Park into the 21st century."
DePaul is investing in the Lin Park project as part of its upcoming 125th Anniversary celebrations in 2022-2023, and legacy commitment to the South Loop community. The public park, located half a mile from Wintrust Arena, offers children and adults in the neighborhood a place for pickup games, and to connect through play with DePaul Blue Demon men's and women's basketball teams. The university community will be ongoing good stewards of the park and will include cleanup as part of its Vincentian Service Day.
"DePaul is committed to Chicago. We want children in Chicago to dream big, from the basketball court to the classroom. We look forward to Lin Park becoming a place where the Chicago community and DePaul Blue Demons meet to play, learn and grow," said A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., president of DePaul University.
The 0.27-acre park first opened in 1970 and named in 2004 after Dr. Margaret Hie Ding Lin, a Chinese immigrant and physician in nearby Chinatown neighborhood. Dr. Lin's memory lives on through the creation of opportunities in the park that exemplify the commitment to servicing and supporting the recreational and health needs of the Chinese community. This facility is part of the collection of the Chicago Park District's 325 outdoor basketball courts located in over 200 parks throughout Chicago.
"This project underscores the Chicago Park District's commitment to providing diverse, accessible opportunities that support Chicago's children and teens," said Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO Michael Kelly. "Upon completion, this park will be an invaluable resource for families in the community with children who aspire to learn and excel at basketball."
In addition to the revamped basketball court, the renovation will include a new half court facility, new bleachers, benches, lighting and a drinking fountain. Updated landscape and ADA accessibility improvements will also be part of the overall renovation. Located adjacent to the Orange Line CTA 'L' Train, the park is expected to be completed in Spring 2022 and will be a destination sports play area for future generations of players and current athletes to gather and play.
"Lin Park has been an indispensable resource in the South Loop neighborhood for many years. This facility has hosted basketball games, community events, and not to mention, the number of times it has been the backdrop for commercials and films," said Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd Ward. "It was time for a facelift; and I am happy to join the Chicago Park District, DePaul University and members of the South Loop and Chinatown neighborhood in working together to bring Lin Park into the 21st century."
DePaul is investing in the Lin Park project as part of its upcoming 125th Anniversary celebrations in 2022-2023, and legacy commitment to the South Loop community. The public park, located half a mile from Wintrust Arena, offers children and adults in the neighborhood a place for pickup games, and to connect through play with DePaul Blue Demon men's and women's basketball teams. The university community will be ongoing good stewards of the park and will include cleanup as part of its Vincentian Service Day.
"DePaul is committed to Chicago. We want children in Chicago to dream big, from the basketball court to the classroom. We look forward to Lin Park becoming a place where the Chicago community and DePaul Blue Demons meet to play, learn and grow," said A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., president of DePaul University.
The 0.27-acre park first opened in 1970 and named in 2004 after Dr. Margaret Hie Ding Lin, a Chinese immigrant and physician in nearby Chinatown neighborhood. Dr. Lin's memory lives on through the creation of opportunities in the park that exemplify the commitment to servicing and supporting the recreational and health needs of the Chinese community. This facility is part of the collection of the Chicago Park District's 325 outdoor basketball courts located in over 200 parks throughout Chicago.
Blue Demon Room Podcast Episode 17: Rachel Wilhelm and Noreen Vlamakis, Rush Physical Therapy
Wednesday, March 19
Episode 11: DeWayne Peevy, Vice President/Director of Athletics
Wednesday, December 18
Blue Demon Breakdown - Oct. 16
Wednesday, October 16
LEGACY: Build Your Brand
Thursday, August 01