Improvements scheduled, sought at Near West Side’s Sheridan Park 

By Dolly Duplantier 

As the Near West Side and surrounding communities grow, the Chicago Park District (CPD) must keep up with its patrons’ increasing needs. As part of this effort, the CPD has scheduled improvements for Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St., noted Jessica Maxey-Faulkner, CPD spokesperson.

The improvements include a new gym floor, expected to cost $52,000. A number of other projects already have been completed this year, including new lockers and lighting, painting, and new mirrors in the pool locker rooms and the gym room.

In addition to the park's fieldhouse, the Sheridan baseball/softball fields have seen increased use over the past few years. Thanks to a number of dedicated parents committed to volunteering their time, the park's Little League baseball program now enrolls approximately 350 youngsters. With such success, the Sheridan Park Advisory Council and the members of the Little League Commission hope to convince the CPD to consider funding improvements to Sheridan Park’s existing fields as well. 

Improving outdoor areas

Local resident and commissioner of the Sheridan Park Little League Larry Doody said the goal is to enhance the fields with new lighting and grass, turning the outdoor portion of the park into a multipurpose facility for football, soccer, and baseball.

"We want to make the field safer, not as hard as it is now," said Doody, also a board member of the advisory council. "The field is rock solid. We need to look at better ways to irrigate it and make it softer. We also want to reduce the amount of sand that gets blown throughout the neighborhood. The park district is considering options to enhance the park."

Doody said park supporters asked the CPD for these improvements, using funds from CPD’s capital improvement budget.

"We have to rely on the park district's experts to tell us what can be done and what the total cost will be," said Doody. "We need to determine how to maximize the space at Sheridan."

Doody and his associates are considering how to structure the baseball diamonds and ways to set up the field for multi-purpose use. Long-term goals include batting cages, but right now they are concentrating on their main priorities.

"The park district and the alderman's office have been great," added Doody. "They are willing to listen, assist us, and want to make it work. We're trying to be good neighbors and parents. We have a great advisory council and little league commission. We are confident we will accomplish our goals and are happy to have the support of the park district and Alderman Danny Solis's office."

The advisory council also is working with the CPD to enhance the park's play lot. "We want a whole new play lot," said Doody. "We want to update it, make it a safe and more modern play area. This also includes Miller Playlot," nearby at 848 S. Miller St. "We want to improve and enhance it as well." 

Budget process

The next step in the process is the Central Region budget hearing on Thursday, Sept. 11. The Chicago Park District superintendent will review all the requests and information for parks in the region. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Humboldt Park, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave.

            "It's a huge budget process," said Maxey-Faulkner. "The entire package is drafted in October and presented to the Chicago Park District's board of commissioners. The recommendations are released in October and voted on in November."

The 2009 operating budget recommendation and budget summary will be available for public viewing beginning Friday, Oct. 17, online and at a number of park districts. A public budget hearing will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 541 N. Fairbanks Ct., 8th floor, at 4 p.m. The board of commissioners will vote on the budget on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the same location and time. The final budget is passed by Wednesday, Dec. 31.

            Sheridan Park has served the Near West Side’s recreational needs for more than 95 years. Created between 1912 and 1914, it was designed by famed landscape architect Jens Jensen.

The CPD constructed the fieldhouse at Sheridan Park in 1977. This three-story building houses an indoor swimming pool, combination gymnasium and assembly hall, and six classrooms.

Over the years, Sheridan Park has served the community with a variety of programs including swimming lessons, aquatic exercise classes, baseball, floor hockey, soccer, boxing, weight lifting, and men's basketball. In addition, the park offers summer day camp, after school and play group programs, and special holiday events.

A highly used park

While Sheridan Park may have been created to serve local residents, it now draws Chicagoans from many different ZIP codes. In August alone, official statistics show more than 350 people used the park daily; the actual number is larger, however, because official tallies do not include people using the tennis courts or baseball fields, which are available without a permit if not reserved.

According to Maxey-Faulkner, the number of registered program users from summer 2007 to summer 2008 exceeded 3,000.

"Parks like Sheridan Park are the anchors of their communities," said Timothy J. Mitchell, superintendent and CEO of the CPD. "More than a place to play, Sheridan Park provides a respite from the stresses of daily life and offers a place where neighbors meet to discuss issues that impact their community and residents engage in active forms of recreation that develop new interests and skills."