Join us for our next meeting - Special Meeting - Playground Community Input Meeting - Tues. June 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the Portage Park Senior Center (on Berteau between Central and Long). Come and give your input on what you would like to see in a new playground.

Don't Miss!
June 8 Family Concert - 1:00 p.m. - Nelson Gill Rhythms of the Carribean

Friends of Portage Park - Download Park Survey

Contact Us

Existing conditions

Playlot  Scope

Playlot Concepts

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.