South Chicago People's Park - a community gem

Claretian Associates' Clean and Green Committee developed South Chicago People's Park, located at three previously blighted lots at a highly visible intersection of 91st Street and Buffalo Avenue. In 1970 People's Park was the site of a fatal accident that claimed the lives of three South Chicago residents and the site was abandoned and avoided. Over the following years, the site was used as a dumping ground and became overgrown. A leaking water line kept the corner a virtual swamp. In 2000, after three years, 3,000 resident volunteer hours, and 200 cubic yards of garbage removed the lots were successfully transformed into South Chicago People's Park.

South Chicago People's Park is a community gathering place with flowers, trees, a stage, decorative park benches and a mosaic mural created by community youth. South Chicago People's Park won the 1999 Chicago Botanic Garden's “Garden of the Year Award” for community gardens and in 2001 it was one of eight nationwide parks to win the John Deere "Seeds of Hope Award." For more information about the park or for permission to use the space for an event, please email Lupe Castañeda or call her at 773-734-9181, x 26.