Loving our parks and beaches while fighting for equitable distribution of public resources By Emma Young
Remember Billy Stewart’s song, “Sitting in the Park”? That song, for me, conjured up thoughts of fresh outdoors air and plenty of sunshine. Outdoors is where nature intends us to be, when she gives us the gift of a warm, sunny day. No other Chicago community has the abundance of parks and beaches that the south side of Chicago, especially South Shore, boasts of. These wonderful parks and beaches designed for peace, recreation and fitness, and the healing power of greenery, are the perfect prescription for mental as well as physical health. We all know that Vitamin D is one of the healthiest nutrients our bodies can absorb, and the best kind is the kind that comes straight from the sun. That’s why we sing songs like “You are My Sunshine.” Ever hear anyone singing “You are My Electric Light?”
But sunshine is not all nature gives us to make outdoors a healthy place. There’s nothing as stress-relieving as sitting on the bank of a river, lake or lagoon, with your fishing pole poised for a big catch, not caring whether a hungry little fish jumps up and takes a bite or not. In a recent South Side Drive article, South Shore resident, Fred Dunham reminisced about how part of the local fishing experience is “catch-and-release” angling at a local stream in Jackson Park. Fishing is not the only outdoor sport that Jackson Park has to offer. The Jackson Park Golf Course is one of the most beautiful golfing spots in Chicago.
For kids of all ages, our parks and beaches are nature’s playgrounds and great places for getting your cardio on with a brisk walk around the park, biking, hiking, swimming, playing tennis, skating and lots more activities – including just spreading out a blanket and bringing on the fried chicken and deviled eggs and punch.
For healthy outdoor fun, there is a Life-Saving Sisterhood called Girl Trek which is known to be the largest health movement for Black women. It’s described as a global movement of Black women leveraging the historic legacy of walking and the power of self-care as a pathway to heal and transform Black Lives. Tara Campbell is Illinois State Director of Girl Trek.
Far more than a walking group, they say they exist to bring health and happiness to the doorsteps of seven hundred million Black women worldwide. Leveraging a campaign to heal intergenerational trauma, and fight systemic racism, Girl Trek is powering a mass movement for health justice.
Outdoor Afro is another motivating organization leading the way to a healthier, happier, stress-free life in the wide open spaces, and of themselves they say, “Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. We connect Black people with natural spaces and one another through recreational activities such as camping, hiking, biking, birding, fishing, gardening, skiing — and more! Outdoor Afro disrupts the false perception that Black people do not have a relationship with nature. We remember our history in nature, leverage social media, and support relevant local leadership to create interest communities, events, and partnerships that support diverse participation in the Great Outdoors.”
Yes, there are things to do and places to go in our own southside communities, and here’s the lowdown: Rainbow Beach Park.
We are so proud of this beautiful beach, right in South Shore. Its Fieldhouse has wi-fi, a fitness center and multi-purpose meeting/activity rooms. Located at 2876 E. 75th Street. Rainbow Beach totals 60.98 acres and features a gymnasium, fitness center and multipurpose rooms, handball courts and one of the oldest community gardens in Chicago. A natural area located at the northeast end of the beach includes 9.18 acres of dune habitat. Autos and ?CTA buses enter at 79th Street Only. Concessions courtesy of Norman Bolden of Norman Bistro will come soon.
South Shore Cultural Center Park Outside of the South Shore Cultural Center, the spacious park offers a nine-hole golf course, beach, and open spaces for picnics and walks. Parkgoers can participate in a variety of cultural programs and classes for all ages in dance, music, art, health, culinary arts, fitness, and more. South Shore has recently added new adult art classes including textile art, drawing & painting, mixed media art, and ceramics.
South Shore Nature Sanctuary South Shore Nature Sanctuary contains over six acres of dune, beach, wetland, pond, woodland, prairie, savanna, and shrubland habitats within South Shore Cultural Center Park, a microcosm of habitats native to the Chicagoland region.
The nature sanctuary’s location along Lake Michigan makes it an important stopover during spring and fall migration, providing food, shelter, and a place to rest.
Many native, bird-friendly species of shrubs and trees have been planted including oaks, hawthorn, American plum, serviceberry, hazelnut, viburnum, and native roses.
These woody plants provide fruit or display flowers that attract the insects that many species of birds rely on for their diet.
Rosenblum Park and Playground Lush green large outdoor area with athletic fields for walkers and joggers to use. South Shore International College Prep is where the Fieldhouse entrance is to this thirty-two acre outdoor park/playground. The Olympic-sized pool is finally open to the public again, but hours are unclear. It also features a sprinkler for kids.
Don Nash Park Community Center Only a 4-minute drive and a 16 minute walk from the South Shore Cultural Center, Don Nash Park community Center was formerly the South Shore YMCA, known for winning nearly all Black swim teams and teen parties. Splash out in a refreshing indoor pool and take advantage of a full gym. Getting to the lakefront requires a bit of a walk, though, but after all, walking is healthy and healing.
Hasan Playlot
One of 372 playgrounds across the city via the Chicago Plays! initiative, Located in the neighborhood at 68th and Oglesby, in the South Shore community, Hasan Playground is an ideal location for families to spend a portion of their day relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. This park totals 0.33 acres and it contains a playground with swings, slides, and climbing apparatus.
Woodhall Playground
Located in the South Shore community area, Woodhall Park totals 2.47 acres and features a multi-purpose clubroom. Outside, the park offers a basketball court, running track, soft surface playground, spray pool, and multi-purpose court. Many of these spaces are available for rental, including our multi-purpose clubroom.
Park-goers can participate in the Park Kids after school program, seasonal sports, Teen Club, Senior Club, Kraft Kids. The nature program includes Park Voyagers. During the summer, youth can participate in the Chicago Park District’s popular six-week day camp.
In addition to programs, Woodhull Park hosts fun special events throughout the year for the entire family, including holiday-themed events.
Jackson Park
Located in the Woodlawn community, Jackson Park totals 551.52 acres and features a gymnasium, three multi-purpose rooms, and a fitness center. Green features of the park include Wooded Island – which includes the Garden of the Phoenix – Bobolink Meadows, cherry blossom trees around the Columbian Basin, and a vegetable and flower garden. Outside, the park offers three harbors, 63rd St. Beach, basketball/tennis courts, multi-purpose fields, golf course, golf driving range and an artificial turf field. Many of these spaces are available for rental including the multi-purpose fields, gymnasium and multi-purpose clubrooms.
63rd Street Beach
One of two beaches located within Jackson Park, 63rd Street Beach offers a wide array of amenities. One of the oldest beaches in Chicago, there’s also a historic beach house with restrooms. It also boasts interactive water fountains, showers, and meeting rooms. Beachgoers can rent bikes or use the non-motorized boat launch. Birds flock here as well, literally, with a large natural area. In addition to Reggie’s on the Beach Restaurant, there’s also local vendors, Belly Up offers Jamaican fare, and Leave With A Smile has snacks and beverages.
According to the Groundhog, there are only a few more weeks of winter left, and after that, there’s plenty of sunshine heading our way, so pack up that picnic basket, pull out that fishing reel, grab those golf clubs or tennis rackets, put on your walking shoes and head on out to a park or beach near you and enjoy the Good Life you lucky Southsider!
Outdoors is where nature intends us to be, especially when she gives us the gift of a warm, sunny day. And the Southside of Chicago – especially South Shore – has an abundance of parks and beaches developed especially for its residents to enjoy all nature has to offer.
