A small park, almost forgotten in the urban landscape, yet holding a powerful story within its borders. This is Pietrowski Park. In 1928, the City of Chicago established this park on Board of Education property. It was originally named Avenue “M” Park after the adjacent street. The half-acre park was a haven for the community, hosting a playing field and a shelter house. In the winter, part of the park was flooded to create a skating rink. The city maintained the park until 1959, when the Chicago Park District took over its management. In 1991, the Board of Education officially transferred ownership to the Park District. After the transfer, Pietrowski Park received a soft surface playground, community garden, and a basketball court. But Pietrowski Park’s history is intertwined with a poignant tragedy. The park is one of three in Chicago named in honor of a group of firefighters who lost their lives in a devastating factory fire on March 1, 1957. Fireman Second Class Sylvester L. Pietrowski, along with Howard J. Strohacker and George L. Donovan, perished when the Lawrence Corporation factory exploded, burying them under tons of debris. At the time of his death, Pietrowski lived one mile north of the park. Today, Pietrowski Park stands as a quiet reminder of a selfless act of bravery, a green space dedicated to remembering those who gave their lives in service to their community.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to