Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Park District General Superintendent Michael P. Kelly, Alderman Latasha Thomas, Alderman Ray Suarez, Alderman Joe Moreno and community members celebrated the opening of three new playgrounds at Cragin Park, Montgomery Park and Lucy Flower Park. These three playgrounds are among the 103 neighborhood playgrounds that will be built or refurbished across the City this year as part of Mayor Emanuel’s Chicago Plays! program.

In addition to a new playground, Lucy Flower Park has undergone additional renovations. An estimated $470,000 was invested in the park for upgrades that included rubberized soft surfacing, spray features, pathway improvements, lighting and landscaping. Alderman Joe Moreno contributed $140,000 through his aldermanic menu money. Donations also came from Trust for Public Land ($50,000) and Bucktown West community members ($70,000). The Chicago Park District contributed the remaining $210,000 for the completion of the project.

Cragin Park is also one of many of Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks sites this summer. Upcoming events include Magic in the Parks, where mysterious “Magic of the Spellbinder” will delight all ages, on July 18 and a Movie in the Park featuring Despicable Me 2 on August 1. For more information, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312.742.PLAY, 312.747.2001 (TTY).

Photo Credit: Patrick Pyszka // City of Chicago