Park District, Community Cut Ribbon on New Pickleball and Tennis Courts at Grand Crossing Park; Touts $1 Million Investment in Auburn Gresham

Court improvements part of the Pickleball Mania initiative to build 200 new pickleball courts around the city

CHICAGO- Friday, September 13th at 10:30am, Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño will join 8th Ward Alderwoman Michelle Harris to cut the ribbon on the new and improved pickleball and tennis courts at Grand Crossing Park, located at 7655 S. Ingleside Ave. Park goers can now use the two resurfaced tennis courts and six new pickleball courts for game play.

The Grand Crossing Park court improvements are part of a larger, citywide Pickleball Mania initiative that will construct 200 pickleball courts across the city by the end of 2025. The total $620,000 project at Grand Crossing Park includes the six new pickleball courts and the two repaired tennis courts at the north end of the park. Construction also made resurfacing and grading improvements to the court surfaces, resurfaced ADA accessible pathways and installed new benches at each of the courts.

"In the last few years, we've seen an uptick in interest for pickleball and tennis offerings. We're excited to nurture the community's passion and offer residents in Grand Crossing and beyond a new place to play, amongst other neighborhood amenities," said Superintendent Escareño.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will feature remarks from city officials, Park District staff and local pickleball players. Following the ribbon cutting, there will be a tennis demonstration with students from Betty Shabazz International Charter School.

"We are just thrilled to bring these new and refreshed amenities to the residents of the 8th Ward," said Alderwoman Michelle Harris. "Our parks are the jewels of our community and these investments create opportunities for children and families to be active, develop new interests and thrive."

During the event, Superintendent Escareño will also tout investment made to construct new courts at Foster Park, 1440 W. 84th Street in Auburn Gresham. The largest single pickleball investment in a park, the project includes the reconstruction of seven existing tennis courts into five new dedicated tennis courts and eight new pickleball courts. Each court received new asphalt, color coating, striping and new fencing. Foster Park will host pickleball clinics as early as September 23 for kids as young as 10 years old. See full programming details below.

Pickleball Clinics at Foster Park (Equipment will be available for use):

• September 23, September 25 and September 27 from 3pm - 5pm for kids ages 10 to 17 years old
• September 24 and September 26 from 10am - 12pm for adults ages 18 and up