Jackson Park Advisory Counicil (JPAC) Website and Jackson Park Chicago

Jackson Park Advisory Council Website

Managed for Jackson Park Advisory Council by Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference. JPAC webmaster: Gary Ossewaarde, 773 947-9541. HPKCC site administrator: George Rumsey. hpkcc@aol.com. Views, material welcome.
2008 JPAC Officers elected March 10.
President, Ross Petersen; Vice President, Fran Vandervoort; Secretary, Newsletter-website-mailing list-meetings, Gary Ossewaarde; Treasurer, Dwight Powell; Louise McCurry, Geneva Calloway, Vernita Jones Bd. at Large. Nature Comm. co-chairs: Ross Petersen and Frances Vandervoort.
Print 2007 dues letter and form. Next JPAC Council Mtg. (April 14), Vol. Workdays-

JPAC website index. To index of this homepage. Council and other meetings.
Special notices. To page with latest minutes. Vote for money for Jackson Park from Staples, Bears. Budget requests for Jackson for 2008.
To Tibor Heisler memorial page. To Nancy Campbell Hays memorial page.

Note: re: private events/permits: contact Ann Regan at CPD Special Events. Better: Go to http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com and search for permits (all types) or special event permits. Information can also be sought by calling the Fieldhouse at 773 256-0903.

*Earlier minutes and Newsletters are archived by Gary Ossewaarde-- going back to the founding in 1983 (with gaps in the early years). These may be viewed by appointment. 773 947-9541 or garyossewaarde@yahoo.com.

Photo Galleries:

Animal Bridge
A round and in the park: Site of Mary Rose Shaughnessy
Paved Granite Beach and Iowa Bldg. old views. Granite Beach and reconstr.
'Iowa' Building today
Lake Sh Dr and underpass work,57th-59th #1, #2, #3, 63rd. So Lkft Access projs
Lagoons and lagoon restoration
Nike C-41 base
Osaka Garden
Submarine move route and exhibit construction
Wooded Island
63rd St. Beach House and Schiff Play Fountain

Other sites:

In hydepark.org

Lakefront Protection Ordinance
Osaka Japanese Garden home,
Parks outside links and resources index
Wooded Island prospects, work objectives

Park Issues
Birding home
Columbian Exposition
Green (and beyond) page, with links

Outside (find more in the Green page)

Chicago Park District e-mail staff-1stname.2ndname@chicagoparkdistrict.com
Museum of Science and Industry's website
Hyde Park Historical Society website
Friends of the Parks, e-mail John Paul Jones

In this homepage...

Short vitae, Navigator indexes (above)
Next events, council meetings Volunteer workdays resume!
Ald. Hairston holds meeting on Olympics April 24 6:30 at fieldhouse
news and advisories
- PD proposes new Advisory Council Standards
- Nancy Hays, Tibor Heisler
- JPAC election - elected to serve until January 2008 election
- Visit Staples website to vote for Jackson Park in competition for park funds.
- Actions, recent months, April and March summary. New Orleans Center Park
- Olympic field hockey proposed for Jackson Park soccer fields. The council
  July 9 resolved opposition; Sept. 10 met, queried Olympic Committee, city reps. See more & latest in the hydepark.org Olympic page.
- New study: dogs, natural areas don't mix and letter to Herald on this: see the Dogs and Wooded Island page.
- Jackson Park budget requests at preliminary July budget meeting
- Possible dig in the park (lawn in front of Osaka only) supported--see in the Jackson Park History page.
- JPAC looking at city's new swim ban policy, see in page with March 2007 minutes. More in swim ban page.
- Drum Circle constructed, ready to open. More.
- Continuing requests by neighbors for improvements such as on Iowa building, sidewalk on 56th- and on over traffic.
- Community Garden expected to become year-round outdoor environmental and gardening education and production center. See March minutes re.
- South Shore High Frederick Douglass teaching project in park final report, recommendations. Recommendation for commemorative boulder submitted.
- JPAC hears on harbor concepts. Programs for teens revving up.
- JPAC joins new Lake Michigan Watershed Ecosystem Partnership
- New Army Corps report on C-41 released
- New playground underway at 67th/Chappel
- Budget hearing requests
- To 63rd Bathing Pavilion landmarking achieved, naming for Eric Hatchett approved
- Park proposals, projects. See Traffic Circle page
- Harbor proposals
Who, Where? (getting there, about the park and its attractions, park management, help keep up your park)
Field House happenings. Facilities and opportunities
Programs and specials. From the Supervisor.
Recreation by outside vendors
Jackson Park, sports, and schools- a natural combination
Feature on JPAC volunteers in the park
Biography of former JPAC President Eric Hatchett, whose advocacy largely restored the 63rd St. Bathing Pavilion.
Essay: Our busy "underutilized" park

Top

Next events, exhibits, Advisory Council meetings

New Advisory Council Standards Proposed.

Next council meeting Monday, April 14, 2007, 7:30, field house, 6401 S. Stony. Includes election of officers and review of new PD council guidelines.
Contact Ross Petersen, 773 486-0505 or Gary Ossewaarde (or hpkcc@aol.com) , 773 947-9541 with questions or to place your agenda item; Gary to receive the JPAC Newsletter. To Recent meeting minutes and resolutions. President Ross Petersen re: policy, natural areas, environmental issues, volunteering--773 486-0505.

Recent meeting minutes are now up in the Minutes and Resolutions page.

April 24 in Jackson Park fieldhouse, over 40 savvy residents of Hyde Park, Woodlawn and South Shore, including stakeholder representatives, met in Jackson Park Fieldhouse to ask many questions and give ideas to Gyata Kimmons of Chicago 2016 and Alderman Hairston. It appeared to be just sinking in how complex the issues and enormous the impacts will be, especially on the parks. The next of the monthly series, May 22, will focus on transportation and transit. CTA, Metra, et al will be invited.

________________________

Online Park Program Registration Utilizes PayPal
The Park District is now using the PayPal online payment
system. Before you register online for one of our fall classes, we encourage
you to review the new screens and review our Q&A about the new system. You can
do this by copying and pasting the web address below into your web browser:
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/programs.home.cfm

You can probably view winter program offerings online now or soon. To do this, copy and paste the
web address below into your web browser:
http://programs.chicagoparkdistrict.com/programBrowser/

Summer online registration opens in April 21 (Mon), in person April 26(Sat)- call 773 256-0903. Programs can be viewed on line from April 7.

2nd and 4th Saturday Volunteer Workdays-. Call Ross Petersen at 773 486-0505.

10 am-1 pm, meet at the Darrow bridge south of MSI/ Columbia Basin.

Restarts March 22, 2008.

Hyde Park Herald, March 19, 2008. Jackson Park seeks volunteers

Hyde Parkers can welcome spring by volunteering for the first Jackson Park work day of he season form 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The tradition of volunteers work days first started in Jackson Park's Bobolink Meadow and the Wooded Island in 1988.

"These areas need a lot of attention," said Ross Petersen, who has been directing the work days for six years.

Volunteers can expect to do general garden work, removing invasive species such as buckthorn and mulberry bushes, and replanting native vegetation to restore historic nature areas. Petersen said he usually gets about a dozen volunteers to help, six of whom volunteer through the non-profit group Chicago Works [Chicago Cares?]

"We would like to reach out to school, church, community groups to help out on our work days," said Petersen. The volunteer work days are on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and start at the Darrow Bridge. Tools and refreshments are provided. For more information, call Petersen at 486-0505.

In other news, the Wooded Island working group was given special recognition for their hard work by the Friends fo the Park during the organization's annual luncheon last month.

More recently, the Jackson Park Advisory Council elected new officers last week. Those officers are Ross Petersen as president, Fran Vandervoort as vice president, Gary Ossewaarde as secretary and Dwight Powell as treasurer. Top

Rationale and purpose- see in Wooded Island habitat and prospects page. Note- an all-parties meeting was held that looks forward to a good management plan for Wooded Island. See reports there. A plan was adopted at a broad meeting of stakeholders in September.

Join Jackson Park Advisory Council and the Chicago Park District/Aramark for natural areas work. Tools and refreshments will be provided. Please dress for the weather. The second and fourth Saturday of every month until October from 10 am to 1 p.m. Now meets at the Darrow Bridge south of MSI Columbia Basin. Parking is east of the bridge, access from Lake Shore Drive at 5800 S. or from 57th Drive and go around the east side of the Museum. Ross Petersen at 773 486-0505.

Vice President and Nature Chair Ross Petersen's letter on workdays and planting, January 2007. For more on why what is done is on Wooded Island, see new page.

To the Editor:

On Jan. 8, the Jackson Park Advisory Council agreed to appropriate $500 for the purchase of native species of plants, to be planted by park volunteers this spring. Also, beginning in April, an extra volunteer workday will be added on the fourth Saturday of each month in addition to ongoing workdays on second Saturdays. The second volunteer workday will be used for the planting of these new species.

JPAC volunteers can expect to spend three hours, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., on each workday. Volunteers will meet at the Darrow Bridge at 10 a.m., and will be encouraged to work until 1 p.m.

These actions will enable JPAC to continue its efforts to improve Wooded Island habitat.

For more information, call Ross Petersen, 486-0505.

Enjoy the birding year round and the great spring and fall migrations. Chicago and the Chicago Park district are signatories of the International Bird Migratory Treaty of March 2000, and are committed to maintaining and increasing the bird friendliness of parks. (Friends of the Parks and many other groups, including members of JPAC's nature committee, worked out the guidelines.) Visit Birding (and bird conservation, in Jackson Park).

Advisories, of interest from JPAC and the park

Written by Gary Ossewaarde. Olympics

For late news, see the latest minutes in the Minutes and Resolutions page.

State funding for parks in our area and on the greater south side may be at risk, including $150,000 for Jackson. Speaker Madigan held local hearings.

March 2008. New standard guidelines and by-laws are being proposed by COD for advisory councils. JPAC was among those asked to review an initial draft. Reviewers found the spirit as well as the provisions lacking in a spirit of partnership, discouraging of council membership and park volunteering and highly burdensome.

JPAC representatives and reps. from several other councils held a serious and cordial meeting with the Park District April 4. It appears that most issues can be resolved by a joint committee using the 2000 Guidelines as starter.

See Jackson Park Council comments sent to Park District, and extensive coverage and commentary in the hydepark.org Park Issues page.

On March 10, 2008 JPAC elected officers: President Ross Petersen, Vice President Fran Vandervoort, Secretary Gary Ossewaarde, Treasurer Dwight Powell, At-Large Geneva Calloway, Vernita Jones, Louise McCurry.

The Wooded Island Working Group, planning the management and upkeep of this premier nature area and bird home, received special recognition from Friends of the Parks February 2008 at FOTP's Annual Luncheon. Planning for phased removals then plantings continues.

The group continues to plan, mark invasives for removal over the next three years, and plan other management activities under the Chicago Park District. The Group and JPAC especially want to express appreciation to Douglas Stotz, Field Museum of Natural History for his technical expertise and enthusiastic support.

JPAC was honored as one of the Advisory Councils of the Year at the Advisory Council Appreciation Day picnic on Northerly Island September 8. JPAC was recognized for most support and sponsorship of park programs, in appreciation of outstanding leadership and service.

JPAC at the October meeting elected officers to serve until March: Ross Petersen, President; Fran Vandervoort, Vice President; Gary Ossewaarde, secretary, Dwight Powell, Treasurer. Board Members At Large: Louise McCurry, Geneva Calloway, Vernita Jones. Petersen and Vandervoort will continue to share the chair of the Nature Committee. These officers were re slated for February 1008. Postponed again to March due to weather and low attendance of qualifying members. Additional nominations can be sent to Secretary Gary Ossewaarde.

In addition, some procedural bylaw changes were adopted relative to finances and confirmed at the November meeting. these read: Expenditures may be made only as directed by a resolution approved at a council meeting. there shall be no less than two signers of every check, normally the Treasurer and Secretary.

With great sadness we report the passing of Nancy Hays, May 26, 1923-May 31, 2007, Jackson Park Advisory Council President for the past 8 years. A memorial service was held Saturday, June 23 at St. Paul and the Redeemer Church. Those seeking biographical information about Nancy's life should visit the Nancy Campbell Hays Memorial page.

With sadness we also report the passing of our long time treasurer, Tibor Heisler. A service was held for Tibor on Sunday, September 9 Visit the Tibor Heisler page.

The council offers its condolences to vice president Ross Petersen on the passing of his mother. Also recently deceased are members William Erickson and Elizabeth Borst.

Top

____________________________________________

Moving ahead per February 2008 council meeting:
1) Commemorative boulder and plaque honoring Frederick Douglass at the Haitian Pavilion of the World's Columbian Exposition. Barry Rapoport reports that $5,000 is needed (c/o Parkways Foundation) to execute the project. Contact drumjug@yahoo.com or clane@parkways.org.
2) Athletes Committed to Education sports facility. Tyrone Mason
3) Archeological Reconnaissance focused on Columbian Exposition. Rebecca Graff.
4) Community Garden under Growing Power. Laurell Sims.

At the July 9 meeting, JPAC resolved that it opposes as inappropriate and ill-conceived the proposal to site Olympic venues in Jackson Park. More and latest, including coverage of the Sept. 10 meeting with city in the hydepark.org Olympics page. Resolution is below. At the September 10 meeting (attended by about 60) there was a full, productive discussion with the Chicago 2016 meeting. JPAC will continue to gather information and make suggestions.

There was one and would be a second an official site walk through for problems with landscaping in the park including our visitation committee. In July this all-parties meeting was held, on template and management of Wooded Island and Bob-o-link Meadow in Jackson Park, by all accounts very forward-moving. The 1999 template will be revisited. (A subsequent open walk though before any work is done is being suggested also.) Coverage will be in the Wooded Island care summary page.

The region preliminary budget hearing is on Wednesday September 19 at Marquette park, 6734 S. Kedzie. .

We have learned in late July 2007 that 63rd Street Beach watershed has been chosen as one of two sites in Illinois to be thoroughly tested for sources and impact of pollution through an EPA beach sanitary survey grant applied for by Illinois Department of Public Health. See the Beach and Pollution page.

Good news: The bird counts in late summer 2007 are creeping back up on Wooded Island And a major summit of all the interested parties, including many scientists from leading institutions resulted in a road path to progress on Wooded Island forest management and new planting. However, there is a moratorium on work on Wooded Island this early fall while the Park District develops a management plan for the Island. So workdays Coverage will be in the Bob-o-link Meadow for now. See Wooded Island care summary page.

An article in the New York Times of September 11 2007 calls attention to a study showing that walking dogs in natural areas, even on leash, causes substantial reduction in numbers and diversity. See Dogs and Wooded Island.

At the April meeting we discussed a large variety of projects in or proposed for the park, expanding fieldhouse programs, and Chicago's connections with important Center Park in New Orleans, devastated by Hurricane Katrina- JPAC appropriated $200 towards its restoration. The council received a very nice thank you letter with an update on what has been restored and reopened.

Jackson Park Council wants the public to know that it commends and has appropriated $200 towards restoration of New Orleans' historic Center Park, devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Melissa Cook gave an impressive visual presentation of the history, amenities, and Chicago connections of one of America's most important parks, on a par with New York's Central Park, Chicago's Olmsted and Jensen-Caldwell parks, Prospect Park, and the Presidio. Connections include sculptures and reliefs by Mexican sculptor (___ A_____), who was inspired by and collaborated with Lorado Taft and in Chicago carved, inter alia, the Palmolive Building elevator doors before he moved to New Orleans.

The March meeting featured presentations and discussion on the learning and community sustainability garden to be built in the park, causes and solutions for swim bans and lake pollution and standards and protocols for public notification and swimming bans, Wooded Island and proper stewardship for Wooded Island including update on effects of action on birds long and short term, and expanding and maturing field and fieldhouse programs and outreach. Minutes will appear in the mailed and online April JPAC Newsletter.

See above Vice President Petersen's letter on the addition of a second monthly volunteer workday, for planting and on purchase of plant material.

2008 budget requests for Jackson at July 2007 preliminary hearing

For the Council (Gary Ossewaarde) . Thanked district for expansion of youth programming, budgeting of certain drives and parking lots, and the new playground on 67th--with encouragement to find ways people can feel safer using these facilities and the park. Asked for more budgeting for maintenance and physical upgrades, esp. to paths, nothing major or new, but control over permitted events.

Rosalind Moore of Alderman Hairston's office asked for improvements to the harbors--inner harbor, southern shores, west seawall railing, 59th/ Lake Shore Drive pillar repair, reduce permit fees for small parties.

Vernita Jones of the JPAC visitation committee asked for renewed landscape east of the Drive, especially at the 63rd overpass, with poor grades and design. Sand needs to be removed by guardrails especially on the boardwalk south of 57th more than once a week. Other paths brought up for renewal. The stairs by LaRabida on Promontory Circle. Missing signs, especially mileage on the Lakefront bike path (Lakefront Director Alonzo Williams said this and the Driving Range path and Cornell/Hayes lot are in progress). Wallach fountain base at Promontory Point.

Queen Sister focused on problems at 63rd Street beach. Needs benches an play equipment, and a pay phone for backup. The attendant is left to close washrooms and facilities by themselves, so close washrooms early. Asked for posting faces and names of registered area sexual predators at beachhouse. Open the craft room for community and group use, after fixing windows and air conditioning. Concessions (need more).

The Olympic 2016 Committee has moved the field hockey component from Washington Park to the soccer fields south of the Jackson Park lagoons. The council among others suggested at least one alternative within the park that would affect a specialty user but be in a fenced area minimizing public inconvenience and natural areas disturbance. This was not effected.

At its July 9 2007 meeting, JPC passed the following resolution: "The Jackson park Advisory Council opposes as ill-advised and inappropriate the siting of Olympic venues in Jackson Park."

September 10 Olympic Committee (Mr. Gyata Kimmons, Valerie Jarrett, a hands-on expert, and Arnold Randall, Commissioner of Planning and Development) met with JPAC. Following an introduction, extensive discussion, suggestions, comments were offered in good spirit by the 50-60 attendees. The OC were acquainted with many specifics that need to be carefully considered. JPAC will continue gathering information and questions. Here is some media coverage.

Progress made between JPAC, Olympics Committee

Hyde Park Herald, September 19, 2007. By Georgia Geis

A line of communication between the Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee and the Jackson Park Advisory Council (JPAC) was opened last week at a well-attended Sept. 10 council meeting. Gyata Kimmons, Chicago 2016 community liaison, addressed residents' questions about the plans to use Jackson Park as a field hockey venue in the proposed 2016.

"There seems to be an openness for further discussions with the Olympic Committee," said JPAC Vice President Ross Petersen. Kimmons said he was encouraged to see so many park users at the meeting asking questions. "These are people who actually use the park," said Kimmons. "The audience really wanted to know about our proposals."

Valerie Jarrett and Arnold Randall from the Olympic Committee joined with Kimmons to present the Olympic and Paralympic plan for Jackson Park. They provided color posters of what they expect the sites to look like. They outlined the specifics about two new astro-turf fields that would be added. [note: these would replace 2 of 3 current grass fields and would be an advanced artificial surface, not "Astroturf".]

Petersen said that the soccer players in attendance saw potential in the new fields that will cost more than half a million each to complete. Petersen, who said he was optimistic about the open communication with Chicago 2016, said there were still many concerns and an enormous amount of skepticism about using the park as a site. "This is all uncomfortably close to a nature area," said Petersen....

Hyde Park Herald January 31, 2007

Plans to the latest 2016 Olympic bid proposal have changed slightly and neighborhood civic leaders have mixed opinions about it. On Jan. 22, the /chicago Bid Committee submitted its bid book- and expansion of the 1200-page proposal- to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). The latest plans have expanded to include the Jackson Park soccer field fo possible field hockey games.

Jackson Park Advisory Council Vice President Ross Petersen is not happy about the decision to use the field. He said lt hat JPAC's inclusion of any of its park space would have been greatly appreciated. "We don't think that that's going to be a good spot. The site is not particularly accessible. It's very close to sensitive natural areas and it's going to displace a lot of people who use the field for soccer," Petersen said.

Petersen said during the summer, high school students, college players and members of the American Youth Soccer Organization use the soccer field on a daily basis.

The Olympic Games will be a part of the February 13 [special day, 7:30, 6401 S. Stony Island] meeting, Petersen said. ...

Changes to the proposal come after having talks with the Chicago Park District, Friends of the Park, and Washington Park and Jackson Park advisory councils, Chicago Bid Committee officials said. It was determined that Jackson Park would be a better place to host the field hockey Games because of the soccer field. "Our goal is to not just use the park, but over the long term this will revitalize and leave the park much better than when we went into it," said Patrick Sandusky. "We thought about what would be the best long term solution for the community."

The Chicago 2016 Bid Committee -- comprised of business, civic, athletic, cultual land academic leaders -- is 501(c)(3) corporation. Chicago is competing against Los Angeles and he USOC decides whether or not to submit a U.S. city to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in April. The IOC is expected to make their final decision in October 2009. For moe information, visit chicago2016.org.

Some perspective ahead of JPAC's September 10 meeting with the Olympic Committee:

Hyde Park Herald, September 4, 2007. By Georgia Geis

Gyata Kimmons, community liaison for the organization trying to win the Olympic bid, Chicago 2016, will plead a case for the benefits of hosting the Olympic Games in Jackson Park at the Jackson Park Advisory Council (JPAC) meeting next Monday. Kimmons will be responding to JPAC's official stand against using the park for a field hockey venue.

"This will be a very difficult sell," said JPAC member Fran Vandervoort "We certainly do want to meet with people."

A couple months after winning the US bid, Chicago 2016 hired Kimmons to field concerns and gain input from residents. "We hired Gyata to outreach to our communities and make this a part of our bid process on the international level," said Patrick Sandusky . Sandusky, who worked to win the bid for 2014 [sic] Olympic Games in London, said that the London committee did not hire a community liaison until they were a year further into the process than Chicago 2016 is now.

Kimmons said he is prepared to hear all kinds of criticisms and concerns about Chicago hosting the Olympics. "I'm taking all the criticisms, all the issues, all the concerns--anything anyone has to say."

JPAC members feel that the Olympics will cause too much disruption to the 136-year-old park by being closed before, during and after the games. Another concern is replacing the existing grass field with astro-turf which they think could cause accidents. In response to the astro-turf complaints, Kimmons said the current technology for astro-turf eliminates the concerns about "rug burns" and other injuries.

Kimmons, however, acknowledged other impacts the Olympics could have on the park. "There are huge environmental concerns... We want to hear exactly what those concerns are," said Kimmons. "Because it is not always the situation that we are going to do what we are going to do and not really care what people think." Vandervoort said she is skeptical of how much change residents can have when it comes to the Olympic plans. "How effective can our small community group be? If the city wants it, the city gets its way," said Vandervoort. Kimmons said community discussions can make a difference in the planning of the event. He cited an example when the Olympic committee in Vancouver, Canada changed plans based on what the residents thought.

Chicago native Kimmons is no stranger to debating. He received his law degree from Howard University and most recently worked on legislative issues for the Chicago Public Schools.. Kimmons said that it was the young people who drew him to working with the Olympic committee. Kimmons said he knows the impact exposure to Olympic sports can have on children... "It's really about these kinds," said Kimmons. "The average age for an Olympian who would be competing in 2016 is 12 years. old. Education and the youth movement is a very strong piece for the Chicago 2016."

Regardless of what issues are brought up in regards to the 2016 Olympics Games, Kimmons said people must keep in mind that Chicago has not won the international bid yet and 2016 is far away. "We are still trying to get the bid, so nothing is in concrete," said Kimmons. "We have poured no concrete. We have dug no dirt."

The Jackson Park Advisory Council meets Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jackson Park Field HOuse. Kimmons will be attending the meting. For more information, call 947-9541. To contact Kimmons, email him gkimmons@chicago2016.org.

Top

The Army Corps returned to Bob-o-link Meadow to test bore at the Nike missile site, The Corps has had good communication with JPAC. Details coming at the January JPAC meeting. JPAC has received a hard copy and CD of the Preliminary Final Assessment of the Nike C-41 Missile Base and, proposed return visit (done) and history. See the Nike C-41 page.

Jackson Park suffered substantial tree downings and damage in the October 2 2006 storms. JPAC supports timely replacement of lost trees.

Our park's budget went up 8 to 12 percent depending on category for 2007.

JPAC in December 2006 is involved in the following:

Growing native plants at a park district conservatory for the natural areas, in conjunction with Parkways Foundation and specialized nurseries (Kristen Akre is to be thanked).
Resolving in favor of an art mosaic project for schools and kids in the underpasses near Museum of Science and Industry. (JPAC expects to contribute some.) Involved are several local schools, Chicago Public art Group, and Hyde Park Art Center. We especially thank artist Mirtes Zwierzynski and Loren Moltz, who is active in so many groups and schools and Friends of he Parks Board.
Resolving in favor of a marker near the site of the Haitian pavilion at the Columbian Exposition, honoring the contributions of Frederick Douglass.

Previously we were pleased that the drummers circle at 63rd bathing pavilion and the 67th playground are nearing realization and that there will be a major expansion and teaching project at the community garden next summer in the south end of the park.

JPAC is pleased to announce that representatives are working with Adam Schwerner, director of Natural Resources for planning of improvements and improved habitat management at Wooded Island and the underpasses.

The Junior Bears football league program in fall 2006 was a smashing success. There was a rousing awards ceremony, made possible by the huge participation all fall by the parents club. Staff included William Tillis (park supervisor), Terry Jones (head coach) , Eric Hammond, Eric Edwards, James Knighten, Daniel Moore, Foster Williams III, Andrea Frink (head cheerleader coach), Sharon Moore, and Milton Brown III, and Marcus Kurns. Participants in the ceremonials included Ken Chaney (Jazz artist), Alonzo Williams (Lakefront Director), Lexi Spurlock Head Coach at Morgan Park High School, S.T.Y.L.E. Dance Group, and others. Programs are growing fast. And budget increases for Jackson Park reflect it.

JPAC is interested in knowing details in the changed program for swimming bans when bacteria goes up in the water. We are actively researching the matter and are conversing with government experts. We should have special guests on the matter at the February JPAC meeting.

JPAC by resolution at the July meeting holds that the Park District is not complying with the EPA/IDPH guidelines for notification of the public when benchmarks are exceeded short of the 1000 mandating a swim ban.

Top

Good news: The drumming circle east of 63rd Bathing Pavilion is complete except for final revisions in conjunction with the preferences of the drummers' group. This successful project is a result of cooperative planning (including hours open) between Conga Drummers Association and other support groups, JPAC, Alderman Hairston's office, and Chicago Park District. The District handled all work and costs internally. The circle will consist of cut limestone blocks and is located east of the 63rd Bathing Pavilion and its parking lot, near the bath to Casino Pier. It is expected to be a lively place and see use by several groups.

Requests continue from residents for fix up on the Iowa Building and the sidewalk on the south side of 56th between Stony and the Drive.

The Community Garden run by Mr. Robinson at the southwest corner of the golf course north of Marquette Road did well in 2006. At the August meeting, Yang Mi Kaneshiro of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Special Events-outdoor environmental education (and speaking also for partner Growing Power) presented ideas for working with Mr. Robinson to turn the garden into a teaching institution. Part of the site would have year-round work an training/teaching sheds. Growing Power is expected to come to a future JPAC meeting, likely April. Top

Done: a replacement playground at 67th and Jeffery. See further on.

Top

Commemorative marker planned for Frederick Douglass, Haitian Pavilion at Columbian Exposition- $5,000 sought

Proposed text:

FREDERICK DOUGLASS (1818-1895), AN EX-SLAVE,
WAS AN IMPORTANT AUTHR, EDITOR, ORATOR, STATESMA
AND ONE OF THE FOREMOST LEADERS
OF THE ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT IN AMERICA

IN CELEBRATION OF HAITIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
AND THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST PAVILION
FOR THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
DOUGLASS DEDICATED THE HAITIAN PAVILION
JACKSON PARK, JANUARY 2, 1893

DEDICATED BY CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS,
TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS 2008

Letter of Appeal, February 14, 2008- Barry Rapoport

Frederick Douglass Monument Project

We are writing to ask for your support of an important Chicago Park District Project. In paying special tribute to an important historical figure, we must raise funds to dedicate the Frederick Douglass historical marker in Jackson Park, The marker will be a granite boulder with an engraved bronze plaque. In order to complete this project we need your financial contributions. Douglass was one of the most prominent figures in American history and a formidable public presence. He was a firm believer in the equality of all people, whether black, female, American Indian, or recent immigrant. He was fond of saying, "I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong

We have now begun the fundraising portion of this project and are appealing to our many supporters for a small donation. We will need approximately $5,000 to install and maintain the marker. Excess funds will go to the Park District General fund.

[Fiscal agent is Parkways Foundation, the fiscal agency partner managing funds for this project and the philanthropic partner of the Chicago Park District. The Foundation is a t541 North Fairbanks Court, Suite 850, Chicago, IL 60611. Contact is Cameron Lane clane@parkways.org, 312 742-4808. Indicate on check that the amount is for the Frederick Douglass Monument.

For some years in the mid 2000s Barry Rapoport, then teacher at South Shore High School Small School for Leadership, led groups of students in marking off the footprint of the Haitian Pavilion at the Columbian Exposition and talking about the pavilion (first completed building, near where the Bowling Green is, southeast of the Museum and by Lake Shore Drive) and the role of Frederick Douglass there in giving speeches (including the first ceremonial speech) and informing the public. Mr. Rapoport has also made and used large puppets of Douglass and other notables of the time in the educational project at the site.

In his report on the project, Rapoport proposed a maker to Douglass and the Fair occasion at the site and markers at two other historic spots in Jackson Park and Midway Plaisance. The proposal for the Douglass marker was, with Council approval and advice and that of elected officials narrowed to a small boulder with incised text. The proposal was submitted with support to the Park District and a summit was held that has presumably led to recommendation to the CPD Board of Commissioners. Here is the notice from the Hyde Park Historical Society's Autumn 2007 Hyde Park History.

If all goes as planned, a collaborative effort between the School of Leadership of South Shore High School and the Chicago Park District will result in a commemorative marker honoring abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass. Plans call for an engraved boulder to be installed near the present Lawn Bowling Court in Jackson Park just north of the 59th Street Harbor, the precise location of the Haitian Pavilion of the 1893 Columbian World Exposition. This project, which began more than two years ago, credits Douglass for his leadership and commitment to the quest for knowledge and will give Chicagoans a more inclusive historical perspective about the activities of this great leader.

Douglass, appointed the Minister-in-Charge of the Haitian Pavilion, gave the dedication address on January 2, 1893, Haitian Independence Day.

From final report and recommendations of the South Shore High Frederick Douglass/CPS-CPD park teaching project

In the Spring of 2005, during our Cross-Curricular Unit on Chicago, we… became aware that Frederick Douglass was a former slave, abolitionist, orator, statesman, Conductor for the Underground Railroad, journalist, and founder of the newspaper, The North Star: later known as The Frederick Douglass newspaper. Douglass also spent much time in Chicago where he lived in 1893 and was directly involved in a major Chicago event. For example:
1. Douglass gave the Dedication speech opening The Columbian Exposition on January 2, 1893, from the Haitian Pavilion located north of the Bowling Green.
2. We also learned that George Ferris designed and led a team that constructed the first ever Ferris wheel for the Fair.
3. We also became aware through an alumni survey that South Shore alumni are ignorant when it comes to many of the facts pertaining to Jackson Park.
4. We learned that many people who live in and around the park, both currently and those who have lived here in the past are largely unaware of the historical significance of the intellectual discussions raised in this park during the World’s Columbian Exposition.
5. And what a surprise it was to find out that the Museum of Science and Industry was The Fine Arts Palace, designed and built for the Columbian Exposition.

We would like to make three suggestions to support knowledge and awareness of the park. The suggestions are graphic and have been stimulated by the Project…

During the summer of ’05, I obtained letters of support for a school-park collaborative project from the Jackson Park Advisory council and from Alderman Hairston. The Chicago Park District also gave their approval for our proposed programming.

Throughout the year, ending in June 2006, we chalked the spot where Douglass was and entertained passersby. We had two students and three adults on site. We spoke with fishermen, pedestrians, bicyclists (if they stopped), joggers and the harbormaster as well as many of the boaters in the motorboat harbor. We had no complaints that we were aware of. Everyone recognized immediately, that what we were doing was a good thing. One of the participating students, absorbing the positive energy of the site, learned to juggle three juggling clubs. He could already juggle beanbags, but from beanbags to juggling clubs is a step not all jugglers make.

I am hopeful that the markings recommended to the Park will be approved, passed along and implemented.

It was great meeting so many wonderful people with each step on this project. It is my hope that seeds have been planted that will find fertile soil.

Thank you very much!
Barry Rapoport

Ed. The three recommended markings honoring sites at the Columbian Exposition are: 1) two boulders with plaques, like the one honoring Paul H. Douglas at Osaka Garden on Wooded Island—one on the spot where Frederick Douglass gave the inaugural address at the Haitian Pavilion and the other near the foundation site of the great Ferris Wheel on Midway Plaisance. 2) a sign on 57th Drive near the Museum of Science and Industry saying “Welcome to Jackson Park, Site of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.” Top

_____________________

More Projects and proposals for the park

JPAC heard Nov. 14 2005 a presentation on concept development for expansion of harbor facilities along the lakefront, including outside the Jackson Park main harbor.

Below is a Herald discussion of the issue, November 23 2005. By Tedd Carrison.

A Chicago Park District proposal to expand Jackson Park Harbor has conjured mixed reactions in South Siders concerned about pollution, exclusion and congestion.

Currently deemed only a "study" and still in its earliest stages, the District-Wide Harbor System proposal would call for the addition of roughly 2,500 boating slips city-wide over the next two decades, nearly half of which are proposed for Jackson Park. It has received a flurry of criticism in the Rogers Park neighborhood where residents fear the dock expansion would impede public access to the water and increase pollution around the shoreline.

Park District Director of Lakefront Construction Rob Rejman outlined the preliminary plan at the Nov. 14 Jackson Park Advisory Council meeting and dispelled the North Side qualms as a "marginal philosophy."

He said the project would center on Promontory Circle, the lakeside land adjacent to La Rabida Children's Hospital. Though no definite plans or number have been agreed on, he speculated that roughly 500 parking spaces would be added to Promontory Circle as part of the project.

At the meeting, residents raised pollution and parking concerns and complained tat some North Side parking los, much like the one proposed for Promontory Circle, were "gated communities" where motorists either had to pay for parking or were restricted altogether. Rejman said he was unaware of such parking lots and it is the park district's intent t include, not exclude, a many park-goers as possible.

For now, the JPAC has taken a position of "reluctance" said vice-president Ross Petersen after the meeting. "I wasn't too terribly impressed [with the park district's presentation]," he said. "I have some serious concerns regarding the ability of that particular area to absorb the type of traffic load and parking requirements that a marina would put upon it."

He said pollution is also a concern, not only because of the increase in boats but because the additional breakwaters that may come with the harbor expansion could change the direction of lake currents and no longer push waste water that collects along the shoreline out toward the center of Lake Michigan.

Lastly, Petersen emphasized exclusion as a possible problem. He said a running track was recently installed in Jackson Park across from Hyde Park Career Academy and that "although it's specific in application, it serves a wide range of the community. That's the kind of thing we like to [have]. When you talk about boat slips, the only people who are going to [appreciate] that are the boaters."

Maurice Lee, a aide to Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th), said, "On its face, the alderman thinks it could be a good idea but constituents have raised some real issues that the park district will have to address."

Rejman said that the community will be given an opportunity to provide input as the project moves forward.

Joel Brammeier, associate director of the Alliance for the Great Lakes (formerly the Lake Michigan Federation) said his agency welcomes the harbor plan as a way of "making our expansions where our footprints have already been. We know there is a growing demand for more boat slips in the city of Chicago and that we need to accommodate that demand by looking at this as a lower impact way to create new spaces than looking to create all new harbors out of nothing or out of a vacuum," said Brammeier.

Johann Hudson, chairman of the House Committee for the Jackson Park Yacht Club said while harbor expansion at 87th Street is a good idea, Jackson Park should be left alone. "We have a nice quiet little quaint place here. We think our harbor is the best kept secret in the system," he said.

Jackson Park Yacht Club Commodore Stanley Hill Sr. disagreed. "I think it would be a good idea actually," said Hill. "It would bring development and amenities to the South Shore area. There is a lot that follows the new slips. If that comes with that would also come." He said he would like to see the type of restaurants and stores sprinkled along the North Side harbors come down to Hyde Park and South Shore. "A lot of people vie Jackson Park as the best kept secret on the lake," he said. "it is a really nice location and it's a best kept secret because it's so underutilized."

Top

_________________________________

Bird tours

Doug Anderson's Wednesday (7 am) and Saturday (8 am) bird walks have taken place for over 30 years. Currently suspended. The meeting place has been the Darrow Bridge west of the Music Court lot and south of the Museum and Columbia Basin. Tours run March 26-New Years Day. (Enter by coming north on LSD and turning left at Science Drive 5800.) The tour will make a circuit from Clarence Darrow Bridge through Wooded Island (Paul H. Douglas Nature Sanctuary) or, if conditions and time permit, continues around the south end of the lagoons and through Bob-o-link Meadow and woods to point of origin. Bring a field guide and binoculars if you can. We will post whether the tours will resume in 2007.

Above is a small sample of what you will see on Doug's tours, the fabulous, refurbished Osaka Japanese Garden.

Top

Who, Where?

Visit Contact Information/Membership. Visit Who We Are.

Park staff and information

Jackson Park represents a portion of Frederick Law Olmsted's original South Park, designed in 18761. The park went on to become the site of the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. With over 600 acres of parkland, Jackson Park consists of six interrelated zones:

The Jackson Park lakefront zone
The Museum of Science and Industry zone (a leased footprint)
The Natural Area zone: Wooded Island (Paul H. Douglas Nature Sanctuary) including Osaka Japanese Garden, the Jackson Park Lagoons, and Bob-o-link Meadow
The field house/recreation zone including various blocks of playing fields and courts
The Jackson Park Golf Course and Driving Range
and La Rabida Children's Hospital (also a leased footprint).

Jackson park provides a continuum of recreational and leisure experiences. From boating to fishing, golf to soccer, field house to beach house, the range of recreational choices found at Jackson Park is unparalleled in Chicago.

Jackson Park is located on Chicago's mid South Lakefront between 5600 and 6700 between Stony Island Avenue (1600 east) and Lake Michigan. Principal arterial is South Lake Shore Drive; the cross-road is Hayes Drive at 6300 although Marquette Drive goes through the park just north of 67th. Stony Island Avenue on the west edge of the park connects to the Chicago Skyway to the south; 55th Street to the Dan Ryan expressway. Marquette at 6600 S.) Cornell Drive goes north-south through the west sid of the park between 67th and 57th Drive (the latter intersecting with the Drive).

The park is served by bus routes 6 (express to/from downtown-79th/South Shore; near-park stops: 56th-Hyde Park, Stony Island 57th to 67th, 67th to South Shore), 10 (Museums-seasonal, terminus north entrance to Museum of Science and Industry) 14 (express to/from downtown at Jeffery/67th stop), 15 (along Stony Island and 67th to Jeffery), 26 express (67th South Shore to Jeffery rush hour peak direction), 28 (Lake Park, Stony Island), X28 (express from Union Station via Lake Shore Drive and Lake Park in Hyde Park, south on Stony to 103rd), 55/X55 (to Green Line, Red Line and Midway Airport, terminus Museum of Science and Industry), 59, 63, 67, 170, 171, 173 and by Metra E