Shuttered South Side Park Could Reopen Soon

Diane Latiker, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Kids Off The Block Inc., is seeking to reopen a shuttered South Side park to exclusively use to offer at-risk youth winter activities. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson
Diane Latiker, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Kids Off The Block Inc., is seeking to reopen a shuttered South Side park to exclusively use to offer at-risk youth winter activities. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

Shuttered South Side Park Could Reopen Soon

BY WENDELL HUTSON, Contributing Writer

A Far South Side park that closed more than seven years ago could soon reopen for youth to use during the winter break from school.

Kensington Park, 345 E. 118th St., for now is boarded up with locked gates around the play area that encompass an outdoor basketball court and play lot for small children.

But Diane Latiker, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Kids Off The Block Inc. said she is negotiating with the Chicago Park District to allow her youth organization exclusive use of the park. More than 3,000 youth have come through the doors of KOTB, according to Latiker, and currently there are about 100 youth participating.

“The park district is working with us to get the park up to speed since it has been vacant for so long. We are hoping to have an ice skating rink built there and host other winter sports at the park,” said Latiker. “The park is just sitting there not being used and I want to offer kids an alternative to hanging out in the street especially during the winter months when many of them just sit inside anyway.”

But one concern Latiker, 62, said the community has about the park reopening is gang activity occurring.

“I have heard about how youth living around the park are a part of one gang and some of my youth are former members of a rival gang, and that friction could occur by having them all under one roof,” explained Latiker. “That’s why I plan to have police presence at the park to prevent any problems from happening.”

According to Latiker, this is not the first time she tried to have the park reopened. A few years back, she proposed to park district officials about reopening Kensington Park only to have the proposal rejected by the community.

“Let me set the record straight, I did not walk away from the previous park proposal. I was pushed out,” contends Latiker, who said a park committee comprised of community residents voted against her proposal for fear of gang activity. “But that was then and this is now and this time I want to go the course, despite any opposition I may incur, to make sure ‘my’ kids have a safe place to go.”

Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), whose ward includes Kensington Park, also expressed concerns about youth violence.

“I have already received numerous calls from the community opposed to anyone using that park,” Beale told the Citizen. “There have been shootings and other incidents that occurred around that area [where the park is located] and I think for now, it’s best that we leave that park boarded up and secured because we still have problems in the community.”

And while park district officials acknowledged Latiker’s proposal to reopen the park, “there is no agreement at this time,” said Irene Tostado, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Park District.

One upcoming community event hosted by Latiker’s organization is the 9th Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21 at its outdoor facility at 11618 S. Michigan Ave.

In 2003, Latiker’s 13-year-old son had friends looking for something to do besides hang out on the corner, so she said she opened her home up and allowed them to play there. That passion then for helping at-risk youth continues today for the wife, mother and grandmother.

“It’s all I have wanted to do and all I know how to do and that’s help children make a better way for themselves,” said Latiker. “Kids nowadays need guidance and love and that’s what I try to provide each and every kid that I encounter.”

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