DePaul Goes Big in Lincoln Park: New Basketball Practice Facility Breaks Ground as Free Summer Fun Fills the Parks

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Lincoln Park · July 28, 2026

Lincoln Park neighbors, your neighborhood is buzzing with big news this week — from a major university investment reshaping the landscape to a lineup of free outdoor experiences waiting right in your backyard.

First, the shovels are out: DePaul University is officially moving forward with a brand-new four-story basketball practice facility in Lincoln Park. Construction crews have begun clearing former student housing to make way for the project, which the university says will significantly strengthen its athletic programs and signal a long-term commitment to the neighborhood. It's a landmark moment for DePaul's presence on the North Side — and one that neighbors, preservationists, and Blue Demon fans alike are watching closely as Lincoln Park continues to evolve.

Meanwhile, the parks themselves are serving up some of the best free programming of the summer. The Chicago Park District's Free Movies in the Parks series is rolling on strong, with a screening of Bohemian Rhapsody coming to Lincoln Park and a showing of Superman at the Chicago History Museum grounds on August 11. And for families craving some fresh-air fun, free Family Fishing events are set for Lincoln Park on August 1 and August 15 — perfect for getting the kids off screens and onto the lakefront. Whether you're watching DePaul's future take shape brick by brick or casting a line with the family on a Saturday morning, Lincoln Park is giving neighbors plenty of reasons to get outside and stay engaged this summer!

Sources:
1. https://www.fox32chicago.com/tag/us/il/cook-county/chicago/lincoln-park
2. https://do312.com/venues/lincoln-park