“Did someone say ‘first airport in Chicago’?” a curious voice piped up from the back of the group. Well, you’re looking at its former location! This, my friends, is Scottsdale Park. Before it became a haven for sports enthusiasts and families, this very ground was where Chicago’s aviation story began. It all started during World War I with the Ashburn Flying Field, a pilot training facility. Imagine the roar of those early airplanes taking off and landing right here!
By the 1940s, the neighborhood started buzzing with new residents. They needed a place to unwind, so in 1952, a developer named Raymond Lutgert stepped in. He transformed the old airfield into a community, lovingly named Scottsdale after his son, Scott. But it wasn’t just houses. Lutgert understood the importance of community spaces. A temporary church, St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Parish, sprung up. The church thrived, quickly outgrew the space, and moved on. The site? It was entrusted to the Chicago Park District, and that’s when Scottsdale Park really took shape.
They didn’t let the church go to waste! Oh no, they were resourceful back then. The park district cleverly remodeled it into a recreation building. Kids were swinging on the new playground, games were won and lost on the softball diamond and the basketball and volleyball court. As time marched on, so did Scottsdale Park. In 1979, they bid farewell to the old church structure and welcomed a brand-new fieldhouse in 1981.
Today, Scottsdale Park is a testament to the community spirit. It boasts a gymnasium, fitness center, even a boxing ring! And let’s not forget those two baseball diamonds, the playground, and the picnic area. From fitness classes to senior clubs, to youth sports and arts & crafts, there’s something for everyone here. So, soak in the energy of Scottsdale Park, where history takes flight and community thrives.