Urban Land Institute Chicago recognized The Arts & Recreation Center at Ellis Park on Chicago’s South Side with its Community Impact Award. After over a decade of planning, The Arts and Recreation Center at Ellis Park transformed a vacant site into a much-needed recreational and community center serving local residents. Built on land donated by the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Schools, in close proximity to several schools and public transportation, The Arts and Recreation Center at Ellis Park represents a prominent neighborhood anchor and the first of its kind within this urban setting. Programs offered at the center include after-school and summer youth programming for local elementary and high school students, family activities, arts and cultural opportunities, health and wellness programs, and community events for people of all ages. It is also the home to the only public indoor swimming pool between Hyde Park and the South Loop.
