Ping Tom Memorial Park
| Ping Tom Memorial Park | |
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Ping Tom Memorial Park's developed area
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| Type | Public park |
| Location | Chinatown, Chicago |
| Coordinates | 41°51′25″N 87°38′5″W / 41.85694°N 87.63472°WCoordinates: 41°51′25″N 87°38′5″W / 41.85694°N 87.63472°W |
| Area | 6.37 acres (25,800 m2) developed 10.87 acres (44,000 m2) undeveloped |
| Created | October 2, 1999 |
| Operated by | Chicago Park District |
| Status | Open all year |
| Website | Ping Tom Memorial Park |
Ping Tom Memorial Park (Chinese: 譚繼平紀念公園) is a 17.24-acre (6.98 ha) public urban park in Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood, in South Side, Chicago. It is part of the Chicago Park District (CPD).
Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, the park is divided into three sections by a Santa Fe rail track and 18th Street. Currently, only development in the area south of 18th Street has been completed. It was designed by Ernest C. Wong of Site Design Group and features a pagoda-style pavilion, bamboo gardens, and a playground. The park is named in honor of prominent Chinatown businessman and civic leader Ping Tom; a bronze bust of Tom is installed near the park's pavilion.
In 1962, the construction preparations for the Dan Ryan Expressway demolished the only two parks in the Chinatown area (Hardin Square and Stanford Park). Sun Yat-sen Playlot Park, a small, 1⁄3 acre (1,300 m2) park, was created in the mid-1970s, however, the community wanted a larger open park space.
A private real estate firm formed by Ping Tom, then purchased a former 32-acre (13 ha) rail yard in 1989. After construction of Chinatown Square began on this property, the CPD purchased approximately 6 acres (24,000 m2) of unused land along the Chicago River in 1991, along with an additional 6 acres (24,000 m2) that extended along the river, north of 18th Street.
The southern-half of the area then underwent significant development, as the retaining wall along the river was repaired and an at-grade rail crossing was installed at the park's western boundary. Construction then began in 1998 and concluded in fall 1999 at a total cost of $5 million. The park was officially opened on October 2, 1999.
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