POSTED: Friday September 18th 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO 2016 UNVEILS OLYMPIC PLAYGROUND AT JESSE OWENS PARK

Chicago children and families welcome state-of-the art field house and Olympic-themed playground to South Side community

CHICAGO (September 18, 2009)—Representatives from Chicago 2016 and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley at a ribbon cutting ceremony today to dedicate a new park on the city’s South Side in Olympian Jesse Owens’ honor. The unveiling of the 85,000 square-foot LEED certified field house and the Olympic-themed “Little Hands” U.S. Olympic Playground was celebrated by local youth, numerous community members and area business leaders. 

 

The playground, which features a spray pool and a track-themed pathway, honors the Olympic and Paralympic Movements with sports-inspired artwork and Olympic medals marking key moments and records in Olympic history. The field house being designed and constructed as a green building under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System. The additions to the park were made possible by generous donations from the USOC and Allstate. 

 

Jesse Owens Park is dedicated to Chicagoan and gold medalist, Jesse Owens, who broke color barriers and set track and field records in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. Members of the Owens family were on hand to witness the day’s event, including grandson Stuart Owen Rankin.  Rankin and the Owens family have been strong supporters of Chicago 2016, and Rankin himself traveled to Lausanne, Switzerland to deliver Chicago 2016’s Candidate File, or bid book, to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in February.

 

“Jesse Owens is an iconic Olympian and important part of Chicago’s connection to the Olympic Movement,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. “We are humbled and honored to make this dedication in his name. This park creates a new play space for our youth and increases awareness of the Olympic Movement.”

 

The expansion of sport programs and facilities for Chicago’s young people is of foremost importance to World Sport Chicago.  The legacy organization created by Chicago 2016 aims to bring new opportunities to children, inspiring them to reach for their own dreams.

 

“This park exemplifies the goodwill and Olympic spirit within Chicago,” said Bill Scherr, chairman of World Sport Chicago and director of sport for Chicago 2016.  “We are a city that is committed to bettering our communities, connecting with our neighbors and reaching out to the youth.”

 

With the upcoming vote by the International Olympic Committee, the opening of the playground and new field house adds to the excitement that has been building in Chicago leading up to October 2. 

 

“Allstate has been a longtime, supportive partner to the USOC and has shown a tremendous commitment to the Olympic Movement,” said USOC Acting Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Streeter. “Through programs like the ‘Little Hands’ Playgrounds, Allstate is spreading the Olympic spirit and active living opportunities to youth in Chicago. This playground is a shining example of the legacy of the Chicago 2016 bid, just as it’s a vision of the legacy the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will leave for the youth of Chicago. The USOC extends our gratitude to Allstate and the City of Chicago for all they are doing to spread the Olympic spirit and to help make Chicago a true ‘playground of sport.”

 

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About Chicago 2016

Chicago 2016 is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The committee’s board consists of business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as the organization’s chairman and CEO.

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Keywords · Chicago 2016 · Olympic bids · Richard M. Daley

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Name: Mica Matsoff
Organization: Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid
Email:
Phone: 1.312.861.4826
URL: http://www.chicago2016.org/

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