Chicago Park District and Obama Foundation Cut the Ribbon on the City’s First, Fully Inclusive Playground at Midway Plaisance Park

CHICAGO – Today, Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett joined Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Commissioner Rachel Arfa, other city officials and community stakeholders, to cut the ribbon on the new, fully inclusive playground, located at 1500-1600 Midway Plaisance North in the Midway Plaisance Park. The first of its kind in the city, the 21,000 square-foot, fully inclusive play space is intentionally engineered for use by children and adults of all abilities. 

The design surpasses ADA compliance and features elements that support physical, cognitive, sensory and social play. The new Midway Plaisance playground incorporates three distinct, themed play zones: Stone Creek, Musical Grove and Picnic Plaza, intersected by accessible pathways and natural landscaping. Visitors will find play features like ADA accessible swings, a slide with a transfer platform for wheelchair users and a variety of sensory nooks, including a mud kitchen, sound forest and a fragrance garden that provide options for low stimulation play. These sensory-friendly spaces provide options for children to take breaks from busier sections of the playground. 

“We are excited to partner with the Obama Foundation to bring Chicago’s first-ever, fully inclusive playground to the city’s south side,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “Play is fundamental – every child and every caregiver should have access to a space that supports exploration, imagination and fosters belonging. This new park amenity reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to play space stewardship and enhancing public spaces that connect people of all abilities.” 

The Park District worked closely with its Disability Policy Office as well as accessibility advocates with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and Access Living to finalize the playground design.

"By design, this playground includes all of us, including our disability community, and will become a space where children with and without disabilities can play, make friends and dream of what is possible, right here on the South Side of Chicago," said MOPD Commissioner Rachel Arfa. "I express my gratitude to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, the Chicago Park District, our City of Chicago departments and our disability community for providing input to create this barrier free playground."    

The Midway Plaisance playground is funded by a $4 million donation from The Obama Foundation and reflects a commitment to supporting the needs of the community surrounding the Obama Presidential Center. 

"As a kid who grew up and played in this community, I am thrilled to be a part of bringing this gorgeous, fully accessible playground to the Midway Plaisance Park,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation. “The Chicago Park District has been a tremendous partner, and we’ve been proud to support the right of all children to have a fun place to play.”

The Park District has also made other site improvements including drainage upgrades to the informal recreation lawn and gardens and the restoration of the historic Cheney-Goode Memorial, one of Chicago’s earliest monuments honoring the civic contributions of women. 

About the Chicago Park District     

The Chicago Park District has served Chicago residents for over 90 years. It is a Gold Medal Award-winning organization and ranks among the Top 10 U.S. cities on the 2026 ParkScore® index.  For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 8,800 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 12 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, over 75 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertainment programs, please visit  www.chicagoparkdistrict.com (Opens in a new tab)  or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling, 312/742.PLAY. Follow us on Facebook @ChicagoParkDistrict and on Instagram and Twitter @chicagoparks 

About The Obama Foundation:

The Obama Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. That mission begins on the South Side of Chicago, where the Foundation is building the Obama Presidential Center. But that approach extends to all our work, whether it’s holding leadership training sessions in communities throughout the U.S., bringing local leaders together in countries around the world, working to support the global education of girls, or ensuring young men of color have pathways to opportunity. From every corner of the globe, our program participants are working together to address some of the biggest challenges of our time—from renewing our democratic institutions, protecting LGBTQ+ rights, fighting climate change, and so much more.  

Contact:

Michele Lemons, michele.lemons@chicagoparkdistrict.com

Irene Tostado, irene.tostado@chicagoparkdistrict.com   

Emily Bittner, press@obama.org