Portage Park is now a haven for those seeking outdoor activities before the snow arrives. The park's transformation is truly remarkable, with brand new tennis and pickleball courts opening their doors.

Experience the Joy of Outdoor Sports in Portage Park

Tennis and Pickleball Courts: A New Era

Northwest Siders are in for a treat as Portage Park's six aging tennis courts have been replaced by four fresh tennis courts and four pickleball courts. Just last weekend, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of these courts. This is part of the Chicago Park District's Pickleball Mania initiative that began in fall 2022. To keep up with the soaring popularity of the sport, the Park District aims to build 200 pickleball courts by 2025, and the initiative is funded by the Chicago Recovery Program. Work on the Portage Park courts started in March, with a total cost of $365,000. These new courts provide a great space for both tennis and pickleball enthusiasts.The new tennis courts at Portage Park on Nov. 19, 2024, are a sight to behold. Credit: Molly DeVore/ Block Club Chicago. Additionally, in July, the Park District completed three new tennis courts and four pickleball courts at nearby Shabbona Park.

Other Improvements at Portage Park

Portage Park is also witnessing other exciting developments. New baseball bleachers are being installed at the southwest baseball diamond, along with a renovated playground and a nature play space. Two new steel bleachers, an ADA accessible concrete pad, and a path will enhance the baseball area. At the playground, pour-in-place soft surface will be installed, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for children. Both projects are expected to be completed this spring.The Portage Park Advisory Council is also gearing up to open a nature play space this spring or summer. This play space will be adjacent to the park's natural area, offering children a chance to explore the natural world. It will feature elements like branches and fabric for fort-building, "mud kitchens" with a water source and pots and pans, and wood climbing elements. The park advisory council is raising $25,000 for this project and is holding a fundraiser on Jan. 4 at the Filament Theatre. Tickets for the event are yet to go on sale, but for more information on the fundraiser and the play space, one can sign up for updates here.

Community Feedback and Design Choices

While improvements are underway at Portage Park, some neighbors had hoped for basketball courts to be added to the park's amenities. In August, Park District officials asked the Friends of Portage Park Advisory Council to gather community feedback on two designs to overhaul the aging tennis courts. One design included a basketball court along with three resurfaced tennis courts and four pickleball courts, while the other had three resurfaced tennis courts and eight pickleball courts. During the Portage Park Farmers Market and through an online survey, the park advisory council collected community feedback. Of the 804 people who voted online, 545 chose the design with the basketball court. However, in September, Park District officials stated that the design with the basketball court was not supposed to be considered as the improvements are part of the Pickleball Mania program, and funding can only be allocated to tennis and pickleball courts.Get a free print! Help us reach our goal of 900 subscribers by Dec. 31 to sustain and expand our coverage and you’ll get a free neighborhood print. There are three ways to qualify: Purchase a new subscription, upgrade your current subscription or gift a subscription. Don’t wait — support Block Club and we’ll send you a print of your choice!Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:“You Had Me At Truffle” — How Chicago’s Small Businesses ThrivePrevious EpisodeShow Episodes ListNext EpisodeShow Podcast Information