How about....an indoor park? (Chicago, Oak Park: real estate, place to live, linear)

[edsg25]

Vibrant cities are constantly coming up with new ways to make themselves inviting as a quality place to live.

Certainly Chicago has done its fair share of such development over the years. Places like Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and the Museum Campus add to the lifestyle of the city.

I'd like to toss out another idea that I think might be an avenue for consideration (if not now than when....or if?....the economy turns around.

HOW ABOUT INDOOR PARKS?

We're a city with tough winters that greatly affect late fall and early spring as well. Our recreational needs don't stop in October and start up again in April. Why not start a concept that can be used all years.

Certainly they would be far smaller than our major parks like Lincoln, Grant, and Jackson. But imagine, if you will, an indoor park. Make it one or two square blocks in size. Put a glass roof on it. And inside, have greenery and water with paths for jogging, running, walking, and biking. the pond could have a small beach area and wading could take place all year. In fact, a swimming pool would not be inconsistent with such a site. Put in a basketball court and a tennis court too if size was available.

If such parks existed near the north (or even south) side lakefronts, they would be incredible draws and would have the effect of softening Chicago's winters and the other nasty times during the year.

Yes, they would be expensive, but they would pay off in the amenity they provide and could be spur to real estate and economic opporunity around them. One would need to see this as an investment and consider the ways that it could pay off economically but what it creates around it and how it is used.

Manhattan came up with the idea of using an elevated section of former railroad tracks for a linear park. Why couldn't Chicago take the lead in the development of indoor parks for northern climates?

[Avengerfire]

There are plenty of parks that have indoor pools and gymnasiums.

Now, of course they are not one or two square blocks in size-but they do do the job.

You just have to know where they are.

[via chicago]

Garfield Park Conservatory

[chet everett]

You can't play soccer or toss a Frisbee inside Garfield Park Conservatory. I agree that such an "all weather" facility would be wonderful. The Chicago region has far too few options for even team sport practice facilities. Other regions with climate like ours (like Madison WI and Minneapolis / St Paul ) have lots more permanent and inflatable facilities. It makes those places much nicer for the long cold winter...

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by via chicago

Garfield Park Conservatory

and

Chicago Park District: Lincoln Park Conservatory (http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/parks.detail/object_id/45AA3ED2-7C6F-4461-83B2-29CB991637E6.cfm - broken link)

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by chet everett

...The Chicago region has far too few options for even team sport practice facilities...

There are more than people think. Here are just a few.

http://www.johnnysicehouse.com/

http://www.max-mccook.com/

http://www.playersindoor.com/

http://www.paloscourts.net/

Northern Illinois Dupage county's largest Convention, Sports & Expo Center, The Odeum.

http://www.lakebarringtonfieldhouse.com/

http://www.midtown.com/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.chicagoindoorsports.com/

http://www.glenviewparkdist.org/

http://www.wilmettepark.org/

http://www.skokieparkdistrict.org/spdcm/SkatiumIceArena.aspx (broken link)

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/parks.detail/object_id/A5F32F28-6296-4001-9F78-A724DEEFAC03.cfm (broken link)

Btw: the Chicago Park District has 26 indoor pools.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by chet everett

You can't play soccer or toss a Frisbee inside Garfield Park Conservatory. I agree that such an "all weather" facility would be wonderful. The Chicago region has far too few options for even team sport practice facilities. Other regions with climate like ours (like Madison WI and Minneapolis / St Paul ) have lots more permanent and inflatable facilities. It makes those places much nicer for the long cold winter...

There are plenty of such facilities: they're called gyms.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

There are more than you think...

Here is one:

Northern Illinois Dupage county's largest Convention, Sports & Expo Center, The Odeum.

There are also golf domes in the burbs. The closest one I think is in Bensenville
The White Pines Golf Dome

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

and

Chicago Park District: Lincoln Park Conservatory (http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/parks.detail/object_id/45AA3ED2-7C6F-4461-83B2-29CB991637E6.cfm - broken link)

Forgot about that one. Theres also a very nice (albeit smaller) one in Oak Park

The Oak Park Conservatory (http://www.oprf.com/conservatory/ - broken link)

[chet everett]

There are not enough of these type places:

McCook Athletic and Exposition

Chicago Indoor Sports: Facility

Of course a facility with real grass instead of synthetic turf would be exponentially more costly...