Hazel Johnson Memorial Greenway

On the far South Side of Chicago, Altgeld Gardens was originally built in 1945 as a home for Black war industry workers during World War II, southern migrants, and returning servicemen and their families. But surrounded by over 50 landfills, leaking underground storage tanks, industrial facilities, sewage treatment facilities, paint factories, and bustling highway traffic, the land was never suitable for a thriving community.

Enter: Hazel Johnson, known as the “mother of environmental justice.” As a resident of Altgeld Gardens, Hazel Johnson described the area as a toxic donut and fought to change the racist environmental policies that caused so much harm to her community. She worked hand-in-hand with residents to petition and protest, holding policymakers accountable to create a healthier community for all.

Much of her work was done through People for Community Recovery (PCR), an organization she founded in 1979 to enhance the quality of life in Altgeld Gardens. In the late 1980s, Johnson began to work with other low-income and communities of color around the country who were affected by similar environmental injustices.

Today, Altgeld Gardens still experiences the aftermath of racist environmental policies and generations of disinvestment, but the community is working hard to reverse this trend. Knowing the transformative power of parks, Trust for Public Land was invited by the community and PCR to help convene public agencies, community stakeholders, and local leaders on their collective vision for greenspace.

This new project will help create a stunning park and greenway that will transform a passive, grassy area into a space where residents can play, find respite, and learn about the history and legacy of Hazel Johnson, who tirelessly fought for a greener, healthier future for those who need it most.