chinese acre public urban park chicago neighborhood south chicago located south bank park divided sections rail track 18th street currently development area south 18th street completed designed site design group features style pavilion bamboo gardens playground park named honor prominent businessman civic leader bronze bust tom installed near park pavilion history construction preparations demolished parks area square stanford park small acre park created mid-1970s community wanted larger open park space private real estate firm formed purchased acre rail yard construction square began property purchased approximately acres unused land additional acres extended river north 18th street southern half area underwent significant development retaining wall river repaired grade rail crossing installed park western boundary construction began concluded fall total cost million park officially opened october acquired acres additional immediately east park undeveloped northern half second development stage park nearly acres undeveloped north 18th street completed included development area shoreline access points september million budget approved start development acre area opened june field house opened later year october history construction preparations necessitated demolition square public parks serviced community mid-1970s small acre park developed strip land 26th street expressway purchased park named study percent community leaders percent business leaders felt lack open space area problems community groups ranked community issues including crime education housing employment community efforts construct larger park lack funds absence suitable site fighting decades construction new park civic leader formed private real estate firm years later firm purchased acre rail yard began construction square million residential commercial development project acres area left untouched community formed work assess possibility developing remaining area public park support commissioner approved proposal purchase land additional acres extended river northward 16th street tom died cancer july years construction park began meeting held march suggested renaming park honor driving force creation request approved august park renamed park dedicated officially opened chicago mayor ceremony october friends tom family commissioned sculptor create bronze bust bust dedicated installed park october design construction site design group designed park having designed landscape avenue familiar community invited public voice opinions ideas future park park original design called walled inspired traditional chinese gardens china design scrapped security vandalism concerns instead system pathways created link defined spaces mimic style pavilion based structure seen located near park western boundary designed pavilion ornamentation obtained traditional chinese roof tiles source japan park entrance marked feet columns chinese dragons modeled traditional chinese courtyard park containers chinese influenced gardens include trees bamboo children playground located north end park businesses attempted raise build story bell tower south end park tower planned constructed brick stone hollow interior visitors able climb structure able walk entrance base chicago_sun-times writer believed bell tower park important feature despite government making early commitment help finance tower constructed construction named riverside park begin strip land south 18th street area required significant development entire western boundary park functioning rail track unsuccessfully looking possible underground access grade rail crossing constructed needed restore badly deteriorated shoreline park eastern boundary cost million project improved approximately feet retaining wall lowered shoreline considerably previous position feet river land tested harmful prolonged use rail yard development complete construction began concluded fall total cost million expansion acquired acres additional immediately east park acre undeveloped northern half acquisition land planned second development stage dubbed phase park nearly acres undeveloped plan called development area shoreline access points construction cultural arts recreational facility estimated cost million september entered agreement approved transfer million tax financing funds development park acre area rail track north 18th street funds build retaining wall fish habitats sections natural shoreline area shoreline open lawn areas developed fishing station pathways approved ordinance finances construction athletic field house funds million proposal allocated district approximately square foot single story steel frame construction building include gymnasium club rooms fitness center locker rooms september mayor held press conference newly opened expansion park announce plan build series boat houses time phase acre expansion located north existing park expanded park north 18th street bridge designed features linear foot iconic red chinese ornamental extends water unique decorative limestone rocks called scholar stones china native oak restoration provide sustainable planting palette welcoming native wildlife park project cost million june mayor officially opened october mayor officially opened square foot facility gymnasium fitness center meeting rooms entrance stands steel sculpture called stone talk donated city shanghai june commemorate 30th anniversary relationship chicago shanghai events chicago dragon boat race literacy started event held annually tom memorial park summer teams participate dragon boat race tournament music food entertainment provided spectators proceeds raised event support promote local literacy cultural diversity programs park acts finish line annual mile canoe race hosted free series movies concerts summer fun campaign late september chicago based performed sink sank sunk outdoor play park performance annual series site specific plays created introduce audiences overlooked chicago locations performance included floating props incorporated park active surrounding trains act season finale cbs reality amazing race ended tom memorial park contestants instructed way finish line park east contestants hailed drivers know park located
Ping Tom Memorial Park