West Humboldt Park Just Broke Ground on a Brand-New Community Plaza — and It's Built by the Neighborhood, for the Neighborhood

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Humboldt Park · June 18, 2026

Big things are taking root in West Humboldt Park. The City of Chicago recently joined forces with longtime West Side organization Blocks Together to break ground on the new **Blocks Together Community Plaza** — a permanent, community-controlled gathering space designed to serve as a hub for wellness, youth programming, arts, and healing right here on the West Side.

The plaza was made possible through the City's ChiBlockBuilder Open Space Program, which allows eligible nonprofits to purchase City-owned vacant land at just 10 percent of its assessed market value. The project also received funding support through Chicago Public Schools' Sustainable Community Schools program. For years, Blocks Together has used the space to host food distributions, youth celebrations, and healing-centered events — and now, with a permanent home, their reach is set to grow significantly. "This groundbreaking represents the power of community organizing and what happens when residents invest in their own neighborhood," said Executive Director Carolina Gaete. Mayor Brandon Johnson put it plainly at the ceremony: "West Humboldt Park is rising."

Looking ahead, neighbors can also mark their calendars for **Sunday, June 21**, when the Trash People of Humboldt Park host a Community Clean-Up starting at 10 a.m. at Humboldt Haus Sandwich Bar — a perfect chance to keep the neighborhood's momentum going. Stop by and show some love for the block.

Sources:
1. http://www.lawndalenews.com/2026/05/city-of-chicago-breaks-ground-on-community-plaza-in-humboldt-park/
2. https://allevents.in/chicago/humboldt%20park