In the spring of 2018, residents of the Island neighborhood began working on beautifying the vacant lot of 1114 S Mason Ave. After various community cleaning days with students and parents from G.R Clark Elementary School, the neighbors began activating the space by hosting block club meetings, movie nights, CAPS meetings, and holiday celebrations. In 2021, we began working with the 1100 S Mason Block Club, Neighbor Space, Common Worlds Playscapes, and residents of the wider Island neighborhood to masterplan and build spaces that can host their programming.

• Create gathering spaces for various programs and different size groups
• Connect to the West Side Nature Play Network by building a nature play garden
• Expand on the beautification efforts from the community to create an oasis for groups of different ages and abilities

The neighborhood is known as The Island because of its isolated location at the intersection of the 290 expressway, the Village of Oak Park, the Town of Cicero, and the Chicago neighborhood of Austin. The community is further isolated by its lack of amenities such as green areas and outdoor gathering spaces. These findings made it clear that the neighborhood needs a multifunctional space that will bring people of all ages and abilities together.