Officials Inject $500K Into Neighboring Park (PHOTOS)

A complete overhaul at Merryman Park in next door Lake View is under way and officials from the Chicago Park District plan to invest almost half a million dollars into the renovation.

Demolition at the playground at 3736 N. Marshfield Ave. began in January, and shortly after, a building permit was issued to the CPD to do an estimated $360,000 worth of work there. But according to the organization behind the makeover, it’s just once piece of the puzzle.

The Merryman Park Advisory Council is a driving force behind the construction. After the CPD identified the park needed upgrades, the organization helped to fundraise while simultaneously securing an additional $50,000 from the State of Illinois, and $100,000 from former 47th Ward Alderman Gene Schulter.

In total, the completed park is expected to cost upwards of $450,000.

It’s all being used to bring in elements like an “explorer’s dome,” a water feature, unique turquoise boulders and more to the fifth-of-an-acre park. But it’ll be done later than initially expected.

“It’s under construction, the old playground is demolished and there’s a bit of a weather delay with the snow,” said Jessica Maxey-Faulkner, the park district’s director of communications. “The target completion is now in June.”

The park, originally constructed in 1951 following World War II, was last improved in 1990, the advisory council says. It’s named after 45th Ward alderman and WWI veteran, Theron W. Merryman, who passed away in 1967.

But it hasn’t been an easy road to secure the park’s renovation funds. In July of 2011, Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th) said the $100,000 his ward committed to the park couldn’t be officially transferred until the council secured the other $350,000, of which they were $40,000 short at the time, the News-Star reported.

Pawar said, while he was still committed to the park, he wasn’t sure the city would continue distributing its aldermanic menu funds after 2011, and that’s where his donation was coming from.

The fight to raise and secure funds is a similar journey being taken now by the School Street Park Advisory Council. The new park, slated to become the largest playlot in Lake View, is expect to cost more than $1 million.

Merryman is also the second park in Lake View to receive attention in 2013. In February, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) said Telscer Park is receiving upgrades from the CPD this year. He added he eventually wants to look at a long-range plan for the park that could include a $1 million upgrade. 

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