What started as a plan to address flooding has led to more opportunities in south suburban Robbins. Leaders from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) joined Robbins Mayor Darren E. Bryant, Robbins trustees, member of the Robbins Eagles football club and residents on Saturday to celebrate the new Rocky Clark Legacy Field in Robbins, a project made possible by the transformative stormwater improvements underway at the MWRD’s nearby Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project.

MWRD President Kari K. Steele was joined by MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn, Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood and Commissioner Eira Corral Sepúlveda in unveiling the new community landmark. The field is named after the late Rocky Clark, a local football player paralyzed playing the game he loved in 2000 and passing away in 2012, not before inspiring many through his strength and determination.

In her remarks, President Steele thanked Robbins Mayor Bryant and underscored the long-standing collaboration between the MWRD and the Village of Robbins, centered on reducing flood risk, protecting residents, and supporting opportunities for community revitalization. She emphasized that these improvements served as the direct catalyst for the construction of the new football field.

“For decades, persistent flooding limited the types of recreation spaces and public amenities that Robbins could build,” President Steele said. “Before this project, even a typical rainfall event could leave fields saturated or unusable. By addressing the stormwater problem at its source—restoring the creek, adding detention, and improving drainage—we created stable, resilient ground that could finally support a major community asset like this football field.”

The Heritage Park Stormwater Project, which is now nearing completion, includes extensive drainage improvements, new detention areas and critical infrastructure upgrades that will remove approximately 140 acres from the floodplain and protect more than 90 homes, businesses and community facilities from repeated flooding. 

The stormwater project not only reduced flood risk but also reshaped how land in Robbins could be used. By removing large portions of the community from the floodplain, new opportunities emerged for redevelopment, outdoor amenities, and investment in youth athletics. 

"The Heritage Park project shines a light on the future of our neighborhoods. This project brings together the community need for free play space with organized sports to keep our kids active and our role at MWRD as stormwater managers for Cook County. This is what a win-win looks like; flood resilience and a fabulous field for our Robbins' Eagles."

The field now stands as a tangible symbol of how infrastructure and community development work hand in hand.