Columbus Park
Hitchcock Design Group has designed a wide variety of athletic fields, both artificial and natural turf throughout the history of the firm. Because of its unique history, Columbus Park is considered a signature park that combines both history and the latest in field technology. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Columbus Park is considered the masterpiece of Jens Jensen’s, the dean of Prairie-style landscape architecture, portfolio of work. Located in the park’s southeast corner, the athletic fields were once part of the park’s lagoon, but filled in during construction of the Eisenhower Expressway. Prior to construction, the area drained poorly, and was subject to frequent flooding and turf damage. Hitchcock Design Group led a team to renovate the heavily programmed athletic fields, while keeping consistent with the existing park’s character. Improvements included an artificial turf baseball diamond (with 300-foot outfield fence), an artificial turf soccer/football/lacrosse field with sports lighting, improved ADA accessibility, upgraded player/spectator furnishings, and landscape improvements. The southern athletic fields were enhanced to deter further flooding. At its completion, the artificial turf fields are the largest within the City of Chicago.
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