A new fitness-themed public park will be unveiled 9 a.m. Saturday at the former site of Emmett Elementary School. The school, which was closed nearly 10 years ago, is being redeveloped as the future home of the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation.
Located at 5500 W. Madison Ave., POPFit! is the fifth community space to open through the city’s Public Outdoor Plaza (POP!) program in 2022.
Made possible by a $500,000 city grant, the plaza includes a play area that can be converted into an ice rink, a walking trail and public art.
The Aspire center will be a central location – at the corner of Madison and Central avenues – that provides career training and support with the aim of improving Austin residents’ pathways to post-secondary education and other opportunities.
Austin Coming Together’s community hub also will have a presence in the center and provide resource connections to anyone in need, expanding ACT’s reach.
Saturday’s event will be a celebration of the POPF!t plaza. Representatives from ACT and the Westside Health Authority will be joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the Chicago Department of Planning, Lamar Johnson Collaborative, Brown & Momen Inc. as well as community partners.