Chicago has produced some of the best athletes the world has ever seen. We love to be active and competitive, but we also love to connect with our communities. Roseland has numerous facilities that allow you to do both and stay active no matter your age or skill level. Even though we are so far south, we’re proud to be here, and we wear being from the South Side like a badge of honor because it is. My favorite place over this way is the Salvation Army Joan Kroc Center. If you’re from the Roseland and Pullman area, this place is like your second home.
The Kroc Center is a neighborhood favorite. The whole family can get active whether you’re going for a game of volleyball, a yoga class, or even a walk on the track around the football field. They have something for everyone, a true staple in the community. My first experiences were during the summer in high school; you could go at any given time and the facility would be packed. Kids playing in the water park area, summer camps taking place, or my favorite, the four-court gymnasium for basketball. The Kroc Center is like a rite of passage for basketball lovers on the South Side. Downtown may be our North Star, but the heart of the city beats right here.
I’ve seen kids as young as five practicing on the courts, and you get to see them grow up over the years as they continue to come to the facility and practice. The consistency of showing up allows you to build community as you spend countless hours together playing the sports you love. You go in to play, but you end up leaving with a sense of home. That’s what life’s all about. People tend to think the closer you are to the bright lights, the better. They don’t realize that the lifeline of the city is everywhere else, especially in places like the Kroc Center.
The Kroc Center is big on community, and the state-of-the-art facility isn’t just for show. They are a part of the community and support the community by orchestrating charity events, programming for all ages, and hosting sporting games and tournaments for schools all over the city. If you haven’t been, I encourage you to visit and see what they have in store for you and your family.
The Salvation Army Joan Kroc Center, 2150 W. 119th St. Monday–Friday, 5:30am–9pm; Saturdays, 7am–8pm; Sundays, 9am–4pm. (773) 995-0151, kroccenterchicago.com