Fundraising underway to expand Ping Tom Park

By Susan Fong

An anonymous donor has kicked off fundraising for Ping Tom Memorial Park with a promised $100,000. The gift is an important public show of support that will “create momentum,” said Leonard Lui, president of the park’s Local Advisory Council.

Long-time Chinatown resident Ping Tom realized the park’s importance to his community, and on his deathbed the architect encouraged his close friends and family to continue the cause to complete it. Today, his wish is being fulfilled, as efforts are underway to expand the park.

Chinatown residents consider Ping Tom Memorial Park a replacement for the old Hardin Square and Stanford Parks, which were eliminated when the Dan Ryan Expressway was built in the 1960s.

Losing Hardin Square Park meant losing its pool. Today, Chinatown swimmers use the pool at the National Teachers’ Academy at 55 W. Cermak Rd. and one at Bridgeport’s McGuane Park fieldhouse.

The land for Ping Tom Park previously belonged to the Chicago and Western Railroad; its 12 acres are bounded by the Chicago River on the west and railroad tracks to the east. The land was acquired in 1988, while Raymond Lee was Chicago Park District Commissioner. Phase I of the park was completed in 1995, with the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese American Development Corporation spearheading fundraising for this phase.

“The park, home to summer fishing and morning tai chi, is a celebration to its residents and the community at large,” said Lee, now a community leader and president of Golden Country Foods.

“Incorporating Chinese landscaping with a playground and community areas, the park has enjoyed immense success since its opening,” said Regina Hayes, marketing and communications manager for the Chicago Park District.

Hayes added, “During the summer, the Movies in the Park program enjoyed great popularity. Residents came from the Pilsen, Bridgeport, and South Loop areas to enjoy their evenings. It was like a summer postcard.”

The park’s riverfront area also is used for two major water events: Dragon Boat Races, sponsored by the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, and Water Classics, sponsored by the Friends of the Chicago River. The latter begins at Clark Park and ends at Ping Tom Park. A couple of years ago the Redmoon Theater offered a two-evening event featuring barges along the river.

As the area develops, the park becomes more important not only to Chinatown residents but to those living in the South Loop, as Ping Tom is the only park for the area between Chinatown and Roosevelt Road.

Hayes said, “When we began, there was little development in the area, but we now have witnessed phenomenal growth in recent years in the South Loop, Pilsen, and Chinatown, expanding south to Bridgeport. [Park expansion] will be great not only for the community, but we hope to someday water-taxi from the river into the park. It is a wonderful focal point to join as a gathering place for a diverse and international community.”

Original plans for the park included a fieldhouse and playing field, but the land was too narrow for both. To support the area’s recreational and cultural goals, the Trust for Public Lands gave the park 4.98 more acres.

Phase II includes a baseball diamond, which was begun in 2003 and finished in 2004. This phase also calls for a fieldhouse/cultural center, a soccer field, and a floating dock. Although this phase began in 2002, it is just now gaining momentum.

The Park’s Advisory Council is focusing on obtaining the fundraising campaign’s first $15 million, which will be used to build the fieldhouse/cultural center on the northeast side of the park, east of the railroad tracks. This amount represents more than one-third of the total required to finish the project.

“If we work step-by-step,” said Lee, “we will reach our goals.”

For more information, contact Leonard Lui, Ping Tom Memorial Park Advisory Council, P.O. Box 167569, Chicago, IL 60616-7569 or call him at (312) 326-5320 at the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.