La Villita Park

La Villita Park is a 21.49-acre green space located in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The park, which opened in December 2014, represents a significant transformation of a former industrial site known as Celotex. After being designated as a U.S. EPA Superfund site, the area underwent extensive remediation before being converted into the largest park of its kind in a major American city.

The park's development was the result of a 15-year community effort led by local environmental justice organizations and residents who advocated for clean-up of the contaminated site and the creation of much-needed open space in the densely populated Little Village area. The Chicago Park District worked closely with community members to design a park that would meet the neighborhood's recreational needs.

La Villita Park is designed around a central axis called the Paseo, an inviting promenade that traverses the entire park from north to south. This walkway provides access to the various recreational facilities and includes amenities such as benches, lighting, and canopy trees. The park's layout incorporates both active and passive recreational areas, catering to a wide range of community interests and age groups.

The park's creation has not only provided valuable green space but also represents a triumph of environmental remediation and community activism. It stands as an example of how former industrial sites can be reclaimed for public use, improving the quality of life in urban neighborhoods that have historically lacked access to parks and open spaces.