The PSA Foundation, US Squash and the Chicago Park District are delighted to announce that ‘Project Beacon’–the first publicly accessible outdoor court in the United States in a decade–officially opened today (May 16) in Chicago’s Union Park.
Located in Fulton Market, west of the Chicago Loop, ‘Project Beacon’ will make squash more accessible to the local community in the build up to squash’s debut at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28). The court will also celebrate the best of local artistic talent, with the glass walls of the court set to feature rotating art showcasing work from children and professional artists.
The unveiling has come on the eve of the final of the PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family, which is hosting the world’s best squash players this week at Chicago’s Lakeshore Sport & Fitness as they battle for the most prestigious title in squash as well as over $1.3 million in total player compensation.
This is the fourth time that Chicago has hosted the PSA World Championships, with the city also hosting the Windy City Open since 1982. Project Beacon is a legacy of Chicago’s relationship with the PSA Squash Tour and has played an important role in the growth of the professional game.
“We hope that Project Beacon will be a source of inspiration to expose more players than ever to this remarkable sport,” said U.S. Professional Squash Association (PSA) Foundation President Arnie Dratt.
“It is the only outdoor squash court in a public park in the United States, and in a month, it will become even more compelling when we add art to its outside walls, art that will rotate to reflect the cultural landscape of its community and serve as a cultural attraction in the community as well.
“This is a repeatable model that we hope will be the first of many in Chicago and across the country. It will be open and accessible to everyone. This is significant because squash has historically been played indoors, primarily in private clubs and elite schools. That needs to change and it should because of the many benefits squash offers its players in terms of health, confidence and community.”
US Squash Chief Executive Kevin Klipstein said: “Project Beacon is a monumental achievement. This country and this world needs more community, and that’s a large part of what squash does.
“It brings people together with common values. The fact that squash is now going to be accessible in this way here and in other parts of the country is a wonderful thing.”
Chicago Park District Chief Executive Carlos Ramirez said: “With this new space, we are meeting a growing demand for access to a variety of sports to improve the overall health of our communities.
“The Chicago Park District is committed to providing all visitors with the best possible opportunities to be active in our parks, whether you play competitively or come to try the sport for the first time. This project is unique because it fuses art and play and we’re so excited for the art to be installed later on this summer. Its unique design will beautify our park space with public art and will make playing an even more exciting experience.”
To learn more and inquire about bringing Access Courts to your community, home, school or squash center, please visit www.accesscourts.com.
