safe space – On the second day the Obama Presidential Center opened to the public, families filled its nature-inspired playground in Jackson Park—where parents said the new space gives children a place to play without fear.
When Brynn Baker asked her 6-year-old, Ever Jones, if he was ready to leave the playground, his answer came almost instantly: No.
Even flushed and out of breath, Ever darted back for one more trip down the slide at the new playground on the campus of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.
“I’m going to have a hard time getting him to leave,” said Baker, 42, of Grand Boulevard. “But I’m really glad to see him play, use his imagination and connect with other kids, too.”
Baker wasn’t alone. Dozens of children and parents spent Saturday morning making the most of what the playground offers, the second day the center was open to the public. The playground is one of several attractions on the grounds, but it was by far the most popular among children.
It features large, nature-inspired design elements, including slides, swings, tunnels, and a rope course. Ever was partial to the slides and swings. As the morning went on. parents described a different kind of benefit alongside the excitement—relief that their children now had a place to play that feels safe.
Chicago native Veneca Coulanges said she used to visit the nearby park as a child in Roseland. but as she got older. crime pushed children out and the space no longer felt safe. Coulanges, 42, now lives in Florida. She said she was glad her daughters would have a different experience when they visit.
“It’s a gift to the South Side,” Coulanges said. “This used to be a scary place. To see it transformed like this is incredible.”
Other locals said the center may draw tourists, but it’s the residents who will likely feel the impact day to day—especially families who already carry safety concerns when they head to public parks.
Ramon Paredes said his 5-year-old daughter, Valentina, is often full of energy, and playing outside is the best way for her to burn some of it off. But Paredes, 44, who lives in Woodlawn, said he often worries about his daughter’s safety and can be hesitant to take her to public parks.
“It depends on which part of the town you are, which part of the neighborhood,” Paredes said. “I’m worried about finding needles on the ground, or wary about who’s at the park hanging out.”
When he arrived at the playground on the grounds of the presidential center, he said he felt his guard ease quickly.
“I hope this will always be a safe space for kids to be kids,” he said.
Veronica Simmons, 59, of Chatham, said she agreed with that hope. She was at the playground keeping an eye on her grandson, and said children “need somewhere to go” where they can feel safe and free from danger.
She said the Obamas provided that by creating a space where families can gather and children can have their fun.
“It’s been a joy being here,” Simmons said. “They can just be kids. Even parents are enjoying being here.”
While Simmons watched her grandson, Omari Simmons, play, she said he was able to interact with children of different ages and backgrounds—something she said isn’t always possible in Chicago.
“Here we can all come together as one and get along,” she said. “Here it doesn’t matter where you come from. All that matters is that you’re having fun.”
Simmons said she believes that was former President Barack Obama’s intention, and that he succeeded in making it real.
“He’s left something beautiful for us,” she said.
As children climbed, swung, and ran through the new playground Saturday, the message from parents stayed consistent: the attraction wasn’t only the play itself, but the feeling that for the first time in a long time, it’s possible to let kids be kids here without looking over their shoulder.
Obama Presidential Center Jackson Park playground safe space for children Chicago South Side families