The Park at Wrigley, Wrigleyville's new town square and year-round gathering place, made its debut April 10 a few hours before the Cubs home opener for 2017. The Ricketts family was joined on stage by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, program partners and members of the Lakeview community at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Also on stage was Laura Ricketts, Cubs co-owner and an openly lesbian activist and philanthropist.
Hickory Street Capital, the real estate development company owned by the Ricketts family, designed and built the Park at Wrigley adjacent to Wrigley Field to enrich and expand the neighborhood experience.
Crane Kenney, president of Hickory Street Capital and president of business operations for the Chicago Cubs, welcomed and thanked the contributors and partners of the Park at Wrigley, special guests, the public and media members in his opening remarks.
"Our vision was to create a neighborhood center where families, fans and visitors can find entertainment, unique and local food options and daily attractions in an urban park setting," said Kenney. "The Park at Wrigley will be instrumental in hosting farmer's markets, family movie nights and an ice rink. The goal is to offer our visitors a dynamic neighborhood entertainment destination."
Hickory Street Capital and Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts echoed the sentiments saying, "This park is the embodiment of my family's commitment to being a good neighbor. We are proud to create this space for the community."
Joining Kenney and Ricketts on stage were leaders of the Park at Wrigley's signature series partners including Melissa Flynn, executive director of Green City Market; Bau Graves, executive director of Old Town School of Folk Music; William Schopf, president of Music Box Theatre; Diann Marsalek, president of the Central Lakeview Neighbors; WXRT radio morning host, Lin Brehmer; and Mayor Emanuel.
"As a lifelong Lakeview resident and active member of many community groups, I have watched the neighborhood grow and evolve to offer great schools, parks, green space and many other features that benefit our neighborhood thanks in part to the generous donations of the Chicago Cubs," said Marsalek. "We as residents are looking forward to attending Cubs games, concerts, farmers markets, films, ice skating and many other events that will benefit and promote the neighborhood."
The Park at Wrigley, in collaboration with its partners, will host the following events and retail offerings. Full details on all upcoming events can be found at www.parkatwrigley.com/events .
Signature Community Events:
— The inaugural signature event, "Craft and Cuisine," will feature two days of food tastings, beer and wine pairings, live music and chef demonstrations from Chicago's most celebrated chefs, May 13-14. Tickets are on sale now at www.parkatwrigley.com .
— Green City Market at the Park, presented by Crate and Barrel, will bring local, sustainably raised foods to the Park at Wrigley on Thursdays from 4-8 p.m., June 15 through Oct. 26, excluding game days.
— Old Town School of Folk Music will host bi-weekly morning and afternoon music programs starting Tuesday, June 13.
— Music Box Theatre will host six sundown "Movies in the Park" at the Park at Wrigley, beginning with Ferris Bueller's Day Off June 14.
Retail, Food and Beverage Offerings:
The Park at Wrigley is now home to the following recognized national brands and unique Chicago retail, food and beverage establishments. For complete details and to take a virtual guided tour, visit www.parkatwrigley.com/explore .
— Starbucks store with a Reserve coffee bar
— This summer, the Park at Wrigley and Four Corners Tavern Group will unveil the Brickhouse, an expansive two-story tavern-style restaurant.
— Cubs Store at the Park, a two-story retail shop offering items exclusive to the Park at Wrigley.
— Following the Cubs' April 12 Championship Ring Ceremony, Jostens, the "Official Designer of Chicago Cubs World Championship Ring," will open The Jostens Jewelry Store at The Park.
— The Trophy Room presented by Motorola will house the 2016 Chicago Cubs' World Championship Trophy throughout the 2017 regular season.
Made possible by a significant investment of private dollars, the Ricketts family is making good on their promise to deliver an attractive year-round destination that will elevate dining, shopping and accommodations for residents and visitors while bringing tremendous economic activity to the neighborhood and the greater Chicagoland area. Another component of the Ricketts family plan will soon follow. Hotel Zachary, a new boutique lifestyle hotel situated at the corner of Clark and Addison streets, is slated to open in early 2018.
