Chicago’s Union Park to Pioneer Next Phase in Squash’s Growth
Chicago, IL – The PSA Foundation, US Squash and the Chicago Park District announced the opening of the first publicly accessible outdoor court in the United States in a decade. Located in Fulton Market, west of the Loop, the first outdoor squash court dubbed “Project Beacon” will be opened at Union Park. The court, designed and manufactured by Amsterdam-based startup Access Courts, is expected to host its grand opening May 16. The opening coincides with the PSA World Squash Championships presented by the Walter Family, hosted by Chicago’s Lakeshore Sport and Fitness from May 9-17, offering more than $1 million in prize money to the best players from around the world.
The court’s assembly, now underway, is the culmination of the nearly four-year project led by the U.S. Professional Squash Association (PSA) Foundation’s President, Arnie Dratt. Dratt conducted a worldwide search for the ideal design for expanding the sport’s reach by making it visually appealing and accessible for all. This is the perfect timing as Squash participation has grown dramatically in the U.S. in the last decade, a trend that is expected to accelerate due to its recent first-time inclusion in the Olympic Games next hosted in Los Angeles in 2028.
“We wanted accessibility, we wanted visibility, and we wanted the community,” Dratt said. “The court design, and park’s location and programming offer all of this. It’s an ideal location to kick off Project Beacon.”
The court is elevated on steel “I” beams so as to appear to be floating, and to allow the performance floor to drain water. The rest of the court is steel with glass walls, making it a very eye-catching sight and fully transparent. This welcoming design will also include rotating art exhibits on the walls showcasing work from children and professional artists, enhancing Chicago’s reputation as a global hub for recreation, art and innovation.
“This court isn’t just a place to play squash—it’s a statement,” said Rik Zwikker, Founder of Access Courts. “We’ve taken a traditionally indoor sport and brought it into the public eye, right in the heart of the city. It’s transparent, it’s elevated, it’s accessible—everything squash needs to be as it grows into a global, inclusive sport. Project Beacon is about showing what’s possible.”
Adriana Olaya, Head of the PSA Foundation, stated: “One of our main aims at the PSA Foundation is to make squash more accessible for all. Project Beacon will unite the squash community in a fun and inclusive way.
“Beacon highlights the power of partnerships in making a community impact. This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the leadership of local advocates like Arnie and the backing of US Squash. We look forward to seeing the project grow, with locals jumping on court, and to inspiring similar initiatives across the U.S. and hopefully worldwide.
Dubbed “Project Beacon” due to the courts serving as a signal, a guide and celebration for the sport, the movement is a collaboration between the PSA Foundation and U.S. Squash Foundation, the fundraising arm of the sport’s national governing body US Squash. Financial support for Project Beacon has been provided by a variety of sources including local businesses, the PSA Foundation, US Squash and its Foundation, and the vibrant Chicago squash community.
Key community partners in the project also include MetroSquash, After School Matters, and the Chicago Parks Foundation all of which will be involved in providing active programming for the court.
The project has received widespread community support from the Chicago Parks District and its Arts Committee, Union Park management and its Community Council, and Alderman of the 27th Ward and Vice Mayor Walter Burnett, Jr.
“We are excited to partner with the PSA Foundation and US Squash to bring the first, public squash court to Chicago,” said Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Chicago Park District General Superintendent. “Chicago parks are rooted in providing opportunities and resources that support active, healthy living and strengthen communities. Project Beacon will do just that by bringing residents together to enjoy this incredible, new amenity. We look forward to activating this new court, including offering free programming for local youth to explore and learn the sport.”
Plans are well underway to maintain an active program all summer and into the fall, with information to be posted on the Union Park section of www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Kevin Klipstein, President and CEO of US Squash added, “We are supporting this project as a first step, a prototype, so that we can learn from it, and apply these learnings to support other communities to do the same. We’ll learn from this experience and pass it along, with the idea that other locations and cities will do the same to increase the visibility of squash.”
About the PSA Foundation
The PSA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Professional Squash Association. Our purpose is to positively impact communities where professional squash is played. We leverage the professional tour as a catalyst for positive change around the world. We do this by galvanizing the squash community, leaving a legacy where the tour goes, supporting community programs, and facilitating collaboration within the sport. By supporting the PSA Foundation, you enable us to unite squash communities across the globe, support players at all levels and backgrounds, further growing the sport and increasing its accessibility. For more information visit www.psafoundation.com.
About the U.S. Squash Foundation
The U.S. Squash Foundation was formed in 2024 following successful campaigns led by US Squash in the building and opening of the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in 2021 and the successful bid for Olympic inclusion in 2023. Long in consideration, the Foundation’s launch signified the next logical strategic expansion for US Squash towards its mission, while providing the sport a much needed U.S.-based, mission-driven philanthropic organization solely focused on growing squash. For more information visit www.ussquashfoundation.org.
About the Chicago Park District
With more than 8,800 acres of green space, the Chicago Park District is one of the largest municipal park managers in the nation. The District’s more than 600 parks offer thousands of sports and physical activities as well as cultural and environmental programs for youth, adults, and seniors. The Chicago Park District is also responsible for 27 indoor pools, 50 outdoor pools, and 26 miles of lakefront. From canoeing to soccer to arts and crafts, there is never a shortage of activities in Chicago’s parks. For more information visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.
About the 2025 World Squash Championships
Chicago’s Lakeshore Sport & Fitness will host 128 of the world’s greatest squash players when the PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family – the most prestigious tournament in professional squash – returns to the ‘Windy City’ between May 9-17, 2025. A state-of-the-art glass court will be erected at Lakeshore Sport & Fitness, where the likes of Peru’s Diego Elias and Egypt’s Nouran Gohar will look to retain the titles they won in dramatic fashion last year in Cairo, Egypt. The tournament will feature the richest prize purse in the history of professional squash, with more than $1,300,000 of total player compensation up for grabs. As well as Lakeshore Sport & Fitness, the University of Club of Chicago – which has hosted the Windy City Open since 1982 – will host matches from round one of the tournament. For more information visit www.worldsquashchamps.com.
