ROSELAND — A large public plaza will bring roller skating, a stage, an area for pop-up retailers and more to Roseland.
Roseland’s POP! Heights community park is scheduled to break ground this month along South Halsted Street between 112th and 113th streets. It will provide nearly 22,000 square feet of outdoor recreational space to the Far South Side, according to a news release from the Far South Community Development Corporation.
POP! Heights Park will have six primary activity zones separated by brightly colored walking ribbons. The ribbons will be used for walking and exercise during the day and roller-skating in the evening, according to the Far South Community Development Corporation.
The plaza will also feature a half-court for basketball, a community mural, a seating area with trees and movable blocks, a stage for performances and classes, a pop-up retail area for a community market and food trucks and a community garden.
The park could be open as soon as early October, said Elizabeth Neukirch, a spokesperson for the Far South Community Development Corporation.
The Far South Community Development Corporation is working with Sheldon Heights Church of Christ on the project, which is funded by a $500,000 city grant. It will also provide maintenance and support to POP! Heights Park on behalf of Special Service Area No. 45.
“POP! Heights Park will be a real game-changer for the Halsted Street corridor and for the greater far south region of the city,” said Katanya Raby, the Far South Community Development Corporation planning director. “We’re excited for this opportunity to partner with Sheldon Heights Church to bring forth this beautiful and inspiring space for our community.”
The project is part of the Chicago Recovery Plan, which puts $1.2 billion toward creating equitable economic recovery and supporting thriving and safe communities.
Nine other parks and plazas are being created for recreation, performances, pop-up shops, gardening and other neighborhood activities.
Pop! Heights Park is also part of the Far South Community Development Corporation’s Bring Communities Back Initiative to transform 1 million square feet of vacant and neglected community areas into spaces for economic growth.
More information on POP! Heights Park is online.
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