Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Michael Kelly and members of the Brighton Park community today gathered at Kelly High School to announce plans to build a new artificial turf soccer field at Kelly Park.

"Chicago is a City of neighborhoods, and our future as a City is only as bright as our neighborhoods are strong," said Mayor. "I'm working collaboratively with Aldermen and residents across the City to help strengthen and rebuild every neighborhood, just like we're doing here with Alderman Cardenas and Brighton Park residents to make an investment that is wanted and needed by this community."

The Kelly Park artificial turf development will consist of the construction of a new artificial turf combination soccer and football field and relocation of an existing playground to north of the turf field. The soccer field dimension will be 380x180 and striped for a regulation size football field. The field will also have night time lighting.

"The renovations at Kelly Park are a welcome improvement," said Alderman George Cardenas, "Everyone from children to seniors will benefit and I am proud to have worked with the Mayor to ensure that Kelly Park remains a vibrant space for our neighborhood."

The new field will allow for greater access and use of Kelly Park. The installation of extension drainage improvements and regulation lighting will vastly improve the playability of the multi-use athletic fields for local students and neighborhood park patrons of all ages. Additional improvements will include storm water storage, new fencing and landscape throughout. The project is expected to be complete by October of 2014.
"It gives us great pleasure to partner with the community to make improvements to this park that will not only benefit the community, but also the students of Kelly High School," said Superintendent Kelly. "We hope this track will benefit park patrons for years to come."

"The safety and well-being of our children is a top priority for all of us in Chicago," State Senator Tony Munoz said. "Developing facilities like Kelly Park encourages them to lead healthy lifestyles and shows we're continuing to put our communities first."

"Mayor Emanuel has demonstrated his commitment to fighting crime and providing enhanced recreation facilities in Brighton Park," said State Senator Martin Sandoval.

The $2 million project includes investments from the Park District, State of Illinois, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Chicago Public Schools and with strong support from the Brighton Park community.

On Monday, Superintendent Kelly, First Lady Amy Rule and Alderman JoAnn Thompson broke ground on what will be a similar artificial track and turf field at Lindblom Park. That track and field will benefit members of the Englewood community as well as the student athletes of Lindblom Math and Science Academy.

For more information, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312.742.PLAY, 312.747.2001 (TTY).

###

For more information about the Chicago Park District's more than 8,200 acres of parkland, 580 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 10 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, 10 bird and wildlife gardens, 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