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

Jackson Park Advisory Council Website

This website is managed by Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference. JPAC webmaster: Gary Ossewaarde, 773 947-9541, 773 288-8343. HPKCC site administrator: Gary Ossewaarde, Jane Ciacci (HPKCC pres. and publications committee chair). hpkcc@aol.com. Visit hydepark.org home, parks home.

To whole hydepark.org JPAC/Jackson Park website index. To index of this homepage. Officers. Meetings +
UP NOW- JANUARY NEWSLETTER. Featured in January Newsletter: MSI finishes facade restoration, shares plan for sw group/receiving area; LaRabida shares plans for new outpatient unit; JPAC travels to Montgomery Place, continues workshops and cleanups; Brochure and ID map for trees and shrubs in Wooded Island now available to public.
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER.
JANUARY NEWSLETTER.
MINUTES AND RESOLUTIONS. Chronicle of the Frederick Douglass memorial project and dedication.

SEE JPAC's NEW OFFICIAL WEBSITE http://www.jacksonparkadvisorycouncil.org. FEATURES, CALENDAR, MAP, And find us on FACEBOOK there.
Email jpacmail@jacksonparkadvisorycouncil.org. (cc to commissioner751@comcast.net and garyossewaarde@yahoo.com.)
Meetings and events- next (Feb. 13) council meeting is at La Rabida.
Feb. 18 2-4 small tool sharpening workshop is at fieldhouse.

NEW: in addition to the Wed. 7 am and Sat. 8 am Wooded Island Walks, a new one has been added, at least once: Feb. 7 5:30 am Sunrise Walk at Jackson Harbor. Meet at 58th and Lake Shore Drive.

Sharpen Your Tools While Your Sharpen Your Minds!
Saturday, February 18, 2012, Jackson Park Fieldhouse, 6401 South Cottage Grove Avenue, in Chicago, 1:30 – 3:30 PM.

It’s not too early to prepare your garden tools for the upcoming gardening season! Don X. Nekrosius, well known gardening expert, will help local gardeners sharpen and care for their clippers, loppers, and other tools for the upcoming growing season. Don will be presenting the workshop as a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener. He’s also a master composter – maybe he can answer questions about composting as well!
Bring your tools and take them home as good as new!

Direct questions to the Jackson Park Advisory Council, Louise McCurry, President, (773) 844-2225, or Fran Vandervoort, (773) 752-8374.

WORKDAYS QUICK SCHEDULE. Done until late winter 2012.

TAKE OUR SURVEY. Find and print it here, return as therein, take on line in the new website, or call us for paper versions.

We are asking for your continued support and volunteer efforts to help in the future of JPAC. We want to ensure this beautiful park is here for many years to come and we can't do it alone. We need your help! Please visit our new website for volunteer opportunities, member meetings, donation information and survey forms.
Start at http://jacksonparkadvisorycouncil.org/index.html.

CONTRIBUTE: NEW LEVELS (contribution is not required for participation and voting)

Friend- $35, Guardian- $100, Conservator- $250, Patron- $500, Founder $1,000

2011 JPAC Membership and contribution appeal letter and response form in pdf

VISIT JPAC'S FIRST 'SUBJECT' WEBSITE, BOBOLINK MEADOW VOLUNTEER WEBSITE (http://home.comcast.net/~normbell43/Bobolink/home.htm). UPDATED SEPT. 20 WITH INFO AND PICS OF SEPT WORKDAYS AND "THE BOBOLINK IN SEPTEMBER."
Go there to communicate with stewards Norm Bell and Gail Perry and to learn about the Meadow, its care, Workdays, and other opportunities, and link to Chicago Park District page on Bobolink. Also has the Wooded Island steward contact. More about Bobolink. Reports on recent workdays there.

MSI's facade restoration. About plans for the west drop off and lot: see in January Newsletter.

Read Jackson Park is abuzz with activities-- Our June update as modified for Hyde Park Herald and Friends of the Parks Advocate. And read our THANKS. And our new Jackson Park Nature News.
NOVEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER IS NOW UP- visit/print

PARK WINTER PROGRAMS- ONLINE AT CPD WEBSITE FROM 9 AM NOV. 28, DEC. 3 AT FIELDHOUSE. VIEW ONLINE FROM NOV. 14.

Next COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 13, Monday, 7:30 AT LA RABIDA CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. INCLUDES TOUR OF FACILITIES AND SITE OF NEW OUTPATIENT; PLAN PRESENTATION ON THE NEW BUILDING.
Council and other meetings. To pages with latest minutes and resolutions. News. .

Look for our third workshop, on small tool sharpening and repair, January 21.

Next Volunteer Workdays-to details. Saturday Dec. 18 11 am-1 pm- meet us at Richards/Marquette south of the Inner Harbor parking lot for cleanup. We especially want to remove copious fishing twine that strangles ducks.

WOODED ISLAND HABITAT RESTORATION PLAN. Context and links to 2011 update and the Locator map.

Jackson Park Advisory Council is seeking letters and petition signers for naming the north bridge to Wooded Island after Nancy Hays. See, print April 2011 petition (in pdf). To turn in, please contact Gary Ossewaarde at garyossewaarde@yahoo.com or 773 288-8343

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. New field announced-details in own page.
Jerry Levy tells of spectacular planting day in and at Osaka Garden.

JPAC PRESS RELEASE DECEMBER 2010- Jackson Park Has Been Revitalized (in own page)
BYLAWS- LATEST INFORMATION AND DRAFTS. Bylaws Draft 8 WAS APPROVED December 13 with holdback of one claus re officers.

About the Urban Farm and Community Allotment Garden.

Elected December 14, 2011: President, Louise McCurry (commissioner751@comcast.net) ; Vice President, Judith Hill, Secretary, Newsletter-website-mailing list-meetings- Gary Ossewaarde (garyossewaarde@yahoo.com); Treasurer, Dwight Powell.

JPAC now has a binder in the fieldhouse office with attendance, schedules, recent records. Schedule of meetings is posted in the fieldhouse office.
JPAC continues its financial drive for 2010- visit Membership page (sent letter up soon). Friends of the Parks is now our fiscal agent-greatly appreciated.

IF you see something that might be wrong going on, speak up! 911; William.Tillis@chicagoparkdistrict.com 773 256-0903. Park Security 312 742-2193, garyossewaarde@yahoo.com.

Note: All booking private events/permits: downtown Park Services. call 312 742-5369 Chicago Park District Park Services. Better: Go to http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com and click permits (all types) or special event permits. Also contact William Tillis at the fieldhouse.
This site and JPAC have no booking responsibility.

*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 (and to others)
Submarine move route and exhibit construction
Wooded Island
63rd St. Beach House and Schiff Play Fountain

In Other Sites:

Other JPAC sites:
OFFICIAL JPAC WEBSITE AND CALENDAR: http://www.jacksonparkadvisorycouncil.org/
Check in at Bobolink Meadow Volunteer Website. Includes tons of information, pics, maps about the Meadow

In hydepark.org

Parks homepage and navigator

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

Park Issues
Birding home and Wooded Island Summaries, Purple Martins, Monk Parakeets
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.
Jackson Park page in Chicago Park District website.
Museum of Science and Industry's website
Hyde Park Historical Society website
Friends of the Japanese Garden (Osaka Garden) https://sites.google.com/site/friendsofthejapanesegarden/home
Friends of the Parks
We encourage you to visit from TNC The Nature Conservancy the Illinois newspage, including volunteer and learning opportunities in the area: "Gatherings Online": http://www.nature.org/illinois.

In this homepage...

Parks budget-related closures.
Special announcements. Our survey Thanks to PD for help with events management
Read Jackson Park is abuzz with activities-- Our June update as modified for Hyde Park Herald.
Thanks!
Workdays. Gift of Bluestem from Wash. Pk. Conservancy. Community garden coming?, Conflict at 63rd pen.- compromise offered, New artificial playing field announced (see page), Dog park advancing
JPAC press release December 2010
Phoenix panels from Fair reunited, restored, on display at Art Institute
Short vitae, Navigator indexes (above)
Opening for a dog park
Sports Corner
About the Jackson Park Urban Farm and Community Allotment Garden (Growing Power)
Endangered and threatened birds that have been spotted in Jackson Park and nearby.
Next events, council MEETINGS, Artificial surface. Nov 2010 walkthrough report.
March 9 2011 walk through report Aug 27 beach sweep pic.
Brief reports of recent actions- for full description see the monthly Newsletters and in Minutes and Resolutions, linked above
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
Biography of former JPAC President Eric Hatchett, whose advocacy largely restored the 63rd St. Bathing Pavilion.
Essay: Our busy "underutilized" park

Top

Chicago Park District administrative offices and facilities will be closed for three days adjacent to the holidays. The mandatory shut down days are effective:

- Friday, Nov. 25, 2011

- Friday, Dec. 23, 2011

- Friday, Dec. 30, 2011

Patrons should contact their local park for more information.

Special reports and announcements

JPAC now has a survey- take it on line in the new website, or find and print it here and return as therein, or call us about getting paper versions.

JPAC congratulates Michael Kelly on his appointment by Mayor Emanuel as permanent General Superintendent and CEO, confirmed with CPD board election, of Chicago Park District.
JPAC thanks retiring board Vice President and Commissioner Robert J. Pickens. Thanks, Bob, for all you have done for the parks.

JPAC EXPRESSES ITS DEEP THANKS IN PARTICULAR TO SUPERINTENDENT MIKE KELLY AND SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTOR ALONZO WILLIAMS FOR THERE HELP WITH THE SITUATION OF OVERWHELMING EVENTS AND GROUPS OF ROGUE PARK USERS (esp. particular bike groups). Thanks to their immediate attention, traffic and related were well attended and the children and parents safe Saturday morning October 8.
We also congratulate Mr. Kelly on his appointment as permanent General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District.

JPAC HAD A WONDERFUL BIKE CLINIC, WITH MUCH MORE, OCTOBER 15- OUR FIRST WORKSHOP Also that day we had a fine workday with some new activities such as seed collecting by the Lab School in Bobolink Meadow, and dedication by Mayor Emanuel of our new track and field on Stony Island.
This was followed three weeks later by a well attended WEATHERIZATION clinic. NEXT: FEB. 18 SMALL TOOL SHARPENING.

Nature/Nature Areas news.

Sadly, beaver damage has continued, with the worst in Osaka Garden (but not to the new cherry trees.) Most if not all beavers have been trapped and moved an more effective, larger metal tree wrapping installed.

Jerry Levy writes October 27, 2011: Yesterday was a fantastic day for the Garden and the adjacent area. The contractor under the Park District's supervision planted nine beautiful Canada Red Select Cherry trees (Prunus virginiana var. Schubert Select) just to the north and right outside the entrance. They also planted three Crab trees, Malus sargeantae (sic) two outside the gate and one inside it and six Serviceberries Amalanchier Alteas (sic) ( very large clumps) inside the entrance. The stone path inside the Garden has also been extended. The fall colors there are brilliant. You'll really enjoy it if you can get out there this weekend. Jerry Levy

In November 2011 a 70-pound beaver was spotted at the boat ramp in one of the harbors. Practice is to capture beavers and release them in compatible habitat outside the metro area, in order to prevent destruction of trees.

The Park District intends to conduct a prescribed and controlled burn of a grassland sector in the natural areas, before next spring.

Jackson Park is abuzz with activities

See more complete version June 17 update to meetings, events, news as e-messaged to members and friends. And see extension by Herald writers that follows.
June 22, 2011 Hyde Park Herald

Jackson Park is abuzz with activities

There's plenty going on at Jackson Park and Hyde Parkers are taking advantage of this local treasure and support activities in and around it.
The fourth Saturday Workday will be June 25, at La Rabida Children's Hospital, 6501 S. Promontory Drive, from 8 a.m.-noon. There is trash to remove in a park sector that is slowly being brought to life for family entertainment. Parking is available on Promontory drive off Marquette. For more information email Jerry Levy at sjlevy@jeromelevylaw.com, or Louise McCurry at commissioner 751@comcast.net.

Meanwhile, the Sports and Fields Committee will have their fourth Monday's meeting on June 27. The meeting wil be at 6 p.m. at the field house, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave.

There is also more room for members from the community in the Park District's Nature Oasis Programs that will be in Jackson Park. These include day, urban and family camping from late June into fall. For more information, call 312-742-4914, or visit chicagoparkdistrict.com.

Jackson Park is expanding recreation facilities, having cleanup days and much more to allow people to use the park in a number of different ways. The new trail across the park along Marquette is now open for bikers and hikers to use. In the upcoming months, there are many things planned. Installation of the new artificial field and the 62nd Street track upgrade will start within a month. The Park District will make major repairs and vegetation fixes in the La Rabida sector from the Circle to the shore. The site of the Jackson Park dog-friendly area is being readied in an unused tennis area that is remote but with parking. The project is now in the advanced organization and approvals phase. A new seniors garden, which will provide work and compensation for seniors and disabled, is being readied for next year. After bad experiences, and an overcrowded park on Memorial Day, police have modified procedures and made progress in controlling and eliminating crimes and unruliness.
For more information and updates about Jackson Park, visit their new website at jacksonparkadvisorycouncil.org.

Thank You!

We would like to take the time to extend a hearty Thank You to our members, supporters and volunteers that help in JPAC's efforts to make Jackson Park a place community residents and tourist can come and enjoy.

We Are Making Great Progress!

Not only have we had tremendous success in our clean up efforts, but thanks to our much determined President, a Dog Park is underway right here in Jackson Park! We have had the opportunity to host many student volunteers in our Wooded Island and Meadow as well as successfully chosen to gain a new turf for our football/track field.

MSI completes facade restorations (come to the Dec. 12 meeting to find out what's next.)

Herald, December 7, 2011

The Museum of Science and Industry recently completed a critical masonry restoration project on its historic 1893 building with the help of a $400,000 grant from the Department of Interior; the National Park Service, through the Save America's Treasures (AAT) grant program [and] from President Barack Obama's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. "We are very grateful for this generous SAT grant, which has helped the Museum to continue the good stewardship of its beautiful and historic building," said Ed McDonald, the museum's director of facilities.

The museum was the only organization in Illinois, and one of 41 across the country, to receive an SAT grant in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. With these grant funds, which totaled $9.5 million, organizations and agencies are able to preserve the structures, places, documents, artistic works and artifacts that are deemed of significance to the nation.

The Museum of Science and Industry's building is the former Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 Worlds' Columbian Exposition. It is the only building left standing from the fairs' "White City" and is included within the Jackson Park and Midway Plaisance Historic Landmark District.

Protecting it for the enrichment of future generations is a top priority for the Museum, and MSI matched the grant funds to make the necessary repairs to the building's exterior masonry, which had suffered from deterioration due to Chicago's extreme weather. The areas of the museum's highly decorative East and West Pavilions that were most exposed and had been the most affected include the carved limestone, cast stone and terra cotta elements at the East and West Pavilion dome drums and the marble panels replicated from the Parthenon in Athens.

Phoenixes from Columbian Exposition find safe, viewable nests at last

Phoenixes from Columbian Exposition on view again
by Gary Ossewaarde. Revised from a similar article by Mr. Ossewaarde was first published with the September JPAC Newsletter. A shorter version was published in the Fall Park Advocate of Friends of the Parks.

The Art Institute of Chicago’s Asian Galleries have become a fitting home for four carved and painted wooden panels that once were the highlight of Japan’s exhibit at the Columbian Exposition of 1893, the Hoh-o-den, in the north end of Jackson Park’s Wooded Island, just to the west of the modern Osaka Japanese Garden. After careful restoration, the panels are mounted on permanent view above display cases and the entry to a special contemplative room within the Japanese and Asian Galleries of the Weston Wing, Michigan Avenue first floor.

The panels (ramma), each of two planks, were deeply and elaborately carved and heavily painted and applied with gold leaf, as was commonly done to add brightness in Japanese temples etc. The two mythical birds on each panel, depicted as a cross between pheasant and peacock, are sharp-beaked. On one both phoenixes have open mouths, on two one’s mouth is open and the other closed (oppositely), and the final has both with closed mouth-- showing perhaps dichotomy and complement, yin and yang. Phoenixes are said to mate for life and live in pines and paulownia (a blue-flowered plant).

Phoenixes are said to appear in the realm when there is a great ruler. Since the Columbian Exposition followed Japan’s Meiji Restoration (opening up, modernization, and strong central government), the phoenix may have been considered an especially appropriate emblem to copy from old buildings and display. Japan was especially eager to show its culture, wares, modernization and strength to the world by donating pavilions and reproductions of temples and tea houses at international expositions. The Phoenix Hall was a highlight of Chicago’s Fair, set apart on the Island that was intended in part to serve as a respite and elaborate garden. (The Tea House was opposite, on the mainland.) The Phoenix Hall (Hoh-o-den) was the first Japanese-style building in the U.S. and is said to have been modeled on the 11th century Byodo-in temple of Uji near Osaka. Skilled craftsmen were sent from Japan and lived during construction in a small village in the south part of Wooded Island. The phoenix panels were made by master sculptor Takamura Kuon (1852-1934). The Phoenix Hall made a special impression on Frank Lloyd Wright, who called special attention to it as, among other things, an “unmasked” structure revealing what can be done with fine craftsmanship and everyday materials, with interconnecting corridors and a holistic flow, in contrast to what he considered the reversion and stilted froth of most of the White City. Others recognized its importance—Harper’s printed the plan and had a reporter chronicle construction.

The 1893 Ho-o-Den (Phoenix "Temple") consisted of three structures joined by covered walkway and suggests the shape of the phoenix bird, which it did resemble from ground level. The beams and joinery were part of the beauty and ornament. Inside were artifacts and treasures from three periods of Japanese history-scrolls, vases, decorative screens, writing materials, and musical instruments. A major feature was the lanterns-- both the elaborate stone ones and the paper lanterns at ceiling level. The elements and art were designed and crafted in Japan and brought over by steamer and train, along with carpenters, stone workers and gardeners. The construction itself was an activity that drew many visitors. A reporter wrote, "They move about serenely as if it were a pleasure to work."

After the Fair, the temple and its panels were given to Chicago by the Japanese government. They suffered gradual neglect, and in 1935 the remaining structure was made a tea house serving food and beverages. A succession of fires occurred in the mid 1940s and destroyed the structure and severely damaged the panels, which were placed in storage by Chicago Park District- under the bleachers of Soldier Field. About 1973, they were found- two were sent to the Art Institute of Chicago and two were displayed in a hallway at the new University of Illinois at Chicago (“Circle Campus”).

Eventually UIC realized money for restoration was unlikely. Now-emeritus UIC professor David Sokol started to look for a new home, first choice being the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2005 he got an enthusiastic “yes” by Janice Katz, Associate Curator of Japanese Art at the Art Institute. The vision was to reunite, restore, and permanently display the panels when the Asian galleries were renovated. The panels were donated in 2008, gallery renovation begun, and in 2010 the panels were sent to be restored by Litas Liparini Studio in Evanston. Restoration was very complex. Soot had to be removed without creating damage, beaks re-carved in linden, based on clay molds, lost areas built up with gesso, and pigment built up over gesso and micaceous replacement for gold applied so as to match present looks and make the panels look “gracefully aged” rather than new. The panels were installed August 1 and 2 of 2011 and are now on permanent view beside other arts and crafts of Japan, sacred and secular, as in the 1893 original installation. Today you can also visit, on Jackson Park’s Wooded Island, Osaka Japanese Garden and Toro gate, tea house, real and replica 1893 stone lanterns and other objects. All are carefully tended by members of Friends of the Japanese Garden and excellent contract firms.

How the Phoenix Hall fit into the big picture of historicism, modernism, and the emergence of modern times.

"Columbian Exposition relics now restored". Hyde Park Herald, August 17, 2011. By Sam Cholke

The only surviving relics of a landmark Hyde Park building, which was reportedly the inspiration for Frank Lloyd Wright's prairie style of architecture, are on display for the first time since 1945.

Earlier this month, the Art Institute of Chicago unveiled four carved wooden panels from Phoenix Hall, part of the Japanese pavilion of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The temple was the first Japanese-style building ever constructed in the United States.

Built during a period when Japan was eager to assert its rising influence in the world, the nation's leading architects and craftsmen were recruited to design and build a version of 1th-century Byodo-in Temple of Uji, just outside Kyoto, on Wooded Island for the fair.

Of all the buildings built during the fair, the temple caused the biggest stir in the architectural community-- Harper's magazine printed floor plans of the temple and sent a reporter to witness construction. The temple was one of the few diversions from the then-popular Beaux-Arts style that dominated the fair.

"I had just opened my office in the Schiller Building, 1893, when came disaster, Chicago's first Worlds' Fair," Wright spoke of his experience at the exposition. "The fair soon appeared to me more than ever tragic travesty: florid countenance of theoretical Beaux-Arts formalisms; perversions of what modern building we then had achieved.. A senseless reversion."

Wright, who would go on to design the Robie House at 5757 S. Woodlawn Ave., split from mentor Louis Sullivan shortly before the fair and was searching for a new style to define his practice. The temple "demonstrated that a building could be unmasked and beautiful, human in scale and appealing, that good workmanship showed to better advantage on the actualized building than on the drawing board, and that architecture--real architecture--need make no apologies for its use of simple, everyday materials," Wright said of the building, according to "The Japanese Influence in America."

After the fair, Hyde Park laid claim to the catalyst for modern architecture until it was set on fire in 1945 and 1946 during the tense years of World War II.* The only relics to survive the fire were four panels by master sculptor Takamura Koun depicting the phoenix and other imagery.

Despite surviving the fire, the panels went missing for 27 years. According to Julia Bachrach, a Chicago Park District historian who is researching the history of the panels, a park district engineer supposedly rediscovered the panels in a storage space under the bleachers of Soldier Field in 1973.

The panels were then split between the Art Institute and the University of Illinois-Chicago until 2008, when the Art Institute acquired the remaining panels. The Art Institute spent the last year restoring the panels. Litas Liparini Studio of Evanston was hired to do structural stabilization, cleaning, pigment consolidation, toning and re-carving of many elements, such as the birds' heads.

The panels are now on permanent view in gallery 108 in the new Weston Wing at the Art Institute, together again for the first time since 1945.

*Experts have differing opinions on whether the fires had any connection to the War.

We announce with gratitude the gift of a flat of little bluestem grass from the Washington Park Conservancy to the Jackson Park Advisory Council June 12, 2011. It will likely be used in the Bobolink Meadow.

Jackson Park Volunteer Workdays have reappeared, schedule solidified BUT SOMETIMES HAS TO BE ADJUSTED .Schedule below.
Going full blast:

Louise writes (in the new website): In the two plus months from early March to May 21, 2011, JPAC volunteers have cleaned up 30 acres of Jackson Park lands. During our most recent "meet up to clean up" Work Day, over 100 students from Northwestern University filled 72 bags of trash.

On Saturday, May 28, 2011, JPAC President, Louise McCurry and other dedicated volunteers continued their efforts to clean up the La Rabida Promontory. On this occasion the focused on the beach at the south end of the Outer Harbor and the sidewalk area south and east of the hospital. There was a great deal of boater and fishing related debris. There is always more to do. Contact Louise McCurry, is you would like to help. (773 844-2225, commissioner751@comcast.net.

In June a large group of Lab School 7th graders helped clean and remove weeds from several areas. July 8 a large group of Jesuit high school student council leaders did yeoman work at La Rabida.

The suggested dues levels have been raised to $25 individuals and $35 organizations -- see our 2011 letter as to why. However, both dues and the amounts are "suggested" and are not required for participation or voting. We are considering modifying the schedule to include seniors, students, businesses, and more.

From the June 2011 JPAC Newsletter:

Crossing our fingers: a new COMMUNITY TEACHING GARDEN and program is planned by an outside organization under pd rules and oversight. It will include opportunities for persons with disabilities. This is in addition to the Growing Power managed garden near Cornell and Marquette. We hope final details, site and approval will be actionable by the June meeting.

(discontinued announcements)

Jackson Park is coming alive:

Visit our exciting new website, http://www.jacksonparkadvisorycouncil.org. There is also a tremendous amount of material about the Park and JPAC in our more traditional website in http://www.hydepark.org/parks/jpac.html and in the Chicago Park District website. Our next step might be an audio and other self-guided tours of the park.

Installation of the new artificial field and the 62nd track upgrade has started. Extensive thought and planning and public/team input have gone into this project, funded largely by the Traubert-Pritzker Foundation and Chicago Bears. It’s not of the most expensive material, but is expected to be safe and sustainable. Lighting is included. Maintenance costs, and enhancements need thought. Scheduling will be under permit by a broad-based committee and the park district, with most of the use free and for local teams and the community.

The site of the Jackson Park dog-friendly area is being readied, in an unused tennis area that is remote but with parking. The project is now in the advanced organization and approvals phase.

The Park District will make major repairs and vegetation fixes in the La Rabida sector from the Circle to the shore.
In addition to the major JPAC workday June 25, large groups of volunteers do cleanup in July.

East of 63rd St. beach a federal project has been revised and some parts greatly improved. Some problems are being looked at for remediation.

A generous private offer is under consideration to refurbish heavily used tennis courts southeast of Hayes and Cornell drives.

A new seniors garden that will be provide work at compensation for seniors and disabled is being readied by service organizations for next year. This is in addition to the fully utilized raised-bed garden near Marquette.

There is a steady stream of groups who want to work with us to create sports, nature, mentoring and other learning programs for youth.

Bikers and hikers! The new trail across the park along Marquette is open for business!

Between these offers, the expanded recreation facilities, and the cleanups, more people are steadily able to use more of the park.

Following bad experiences in a grossly overcrowded park on Memorial Day, police have modified procedures. Police and volunteers have made much progress over the past few months in controlling or eliminating crimes and unruliness. Places that encourage or hide criminal activity are being managed—in part by the amazing removals of trash in many areas by our intrepid regular volunteers, large one-day volunteer teams, and park and contractor crews.

These teams together have also kept invasive plants from overwhelming natural areas and wildflowers. The new natural areas contractor is developing a plan for Bobolink Meadow. Friends of the Japanese Garden (Osaka) and contractor have greatly enhanced plantings there.

JPAC is teaming up with the US Forestry Service and the C3 Conservation program as environmental stewards of Jackson Park and area. Later in the summer, we will link with Forestry’s new interactive map, including with our needs and workdays.

In late May a conflict appeared between fencing off of areas on the 63rd beach peninsula preliminary to a phase II of ecological and park restoration, and the start of heavy usage of 63rd beach and peninsula. Site visits have occurred including one with Ald. Hairston, park district officers, JPAC leaders, and Friends of the Parks. Problems were identified and suggested changes will be brought to the planners (led by the US Army Corps of Engineers). Meanwhile the fences are only temporary and will be promptly removed. We hope more information is available by the June 13 council meeting: a representative will be at the June 13 meeting.

New artificial surface playing field announced for Jackson in May 2011. More in artificial surface page. The area is fenced off and some work has commenced.

Last fall JPAC and the community were apprised of the possibility and donations for the "Take the Field" initiative of Allstate, the Sacks and Finnegan families, and Chicago Fire (one field each), Bears Care (2 fields each) with Chicago Park District and with a $5 million match from the Pritzker Foundation. Community meetings to determine desire and need and location were held for candidate parks at or near each park. The community and JPAC announced enthusiastic support, with location provisionally set for the track area along Stony Island between 61st and 62nd. CPD announced in the winner that Jackson was one of the selected parks, and a committee of stakeholders and residents was set up, chaired by Ram Nair. Work on a restoration and enhancement project that was undertaken earlier. Final plan was not available yet. The citywide project and its donors were announced in a release May 11, 2011 and reported in the Tribune May 12:

From the June 2011 JPAC Newsletter:

Chicago Park District announced a partnership with the Traubert-Pritzker Family Foundation, Bears Care, Chicago Fire, and others to build several ARTIFICIAL SURFACE FIELDS in parks including 1 in Jackson (this year). Use will be free during ample hours daytime and weekend; fees are expected for leagues. A big user will be park and school teams. Advertised, well attended public meetings were held, JPAC gave its support, a planning and oversight committee has been formed. Persons wishing to join this committee may contact Supervisor Tillis at 773 256-0903.

Tribune, May 12, 2011, Eric Mayer:

Donors pledge to build 10 artificial-turf fields. A Chicago Bears charity and the Chicago Fire are among those teaming up with the new president of the city's parks board to build 10 artificial-turf fields.

The "Take the Field" initiative promised to contribute up to $10 million for the design and construction of the sorts fields in some of the city's most underserved communities. Park Board President Bryan Traubert said Allstate, the Sacks and Finnegan families and the Chicago Fire agreed to sponsor one new field each. Bears Care will sponsor two.

Traubert, who with his wife, Penny Pritzker, runs the Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation, went to work on a project he and his wife had envisioned for Chicago years earlier. the foundation will match up to $5 million to pay for the artificial-turf fields, and th e Chicago Park District expects to spend an additional $2 million in public funds.

La Follette, Humboldt, Garfield, Cornell Square, jackson and Pasteur parks will be home to the first six fields, set for completion before the end of the year. The new facilities will be free of charge and open to community groups between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday an Sunday. The Park district is considering fees for sports clubs and leagues in order to pay for maintenance of the facilities.

For full background and updates see artificial field page.

__________________________________

We are all thrilled that several persons with a variety of park interests and skills, from the various neighborhoods served by the park have stepped up to the plate to serve as officers, on committees, and to undertake projects. Because both our president and vice president separately resigned in recent months, we needed to fill the vacant offices in November, then at the December 13 meeting hold our annual meeting and elect all officers for the year. (All this is being regularized for ongoing in our modernized bylaws, approved December 13.)

Major business at the moment includes attending to park safety, recruiting site stewards and organizing for work in the various natural areas for 2011, and evaluating park improvements proposed and in progress, and a fundraising and membership drive. If you go by the historic 63rd beachhouse, visit the new playground on the east side.

Donations for the work of the council are also welcome-- send check to Jackson Park Advisory Council c/o Dwight Powell, 7206 S. Luella, Chicago, IL 60649. Friends of the Parks, a 501, serves as JPAC's fiscal agent." (individual $25, organization $35 are suggested-- these levels have been recommended by the council for vote in Janauary.)

(Another bit of news-- two new bike trails is being put across or funded for the trail linking Story Island with the Lakefront trail- the first is along Marquette Rd. (completion), the other along approx. 59th St. Re: the latter, Rep. Currie announced Nov. 15, 2010:

"a bicycle trail from Stony Island to the existing lakefront trail will be built near 59th Street. These two projects, with several other improvements, will provide a protected connection between Hyde Park and other southeast side neighborhoods to the lakefront trail---thus all the way to McCormick Place, downtown Chicago and beyond.")

As in the Hyde Park Herald, October 6, 2010. Jackson Park needs the neighborhood's help now. [This letter followed the Herald's feature (expanded upon in the Chicago Maroon) announcing that Ross Petersen resigned as president citing concerns about the stewardship of Chicago Park District re the natural areas and support of volunteers whose person safety was violated.]

To the Editor:

As reported in the Hyde Park Herald (Sept. 22), this summer Jackson Park Advisory Council Vice President Fran Vandervoort and this month President Ross Petersen resigned and laid down their considerable responsibilities as officers of JPAC. We want the community to know that they left responsibly and with good will.

The membership will greatly miss both and greatly appreciates the work of each on behalf of of the council and park. Highly important tot he well being of th park over 15 years was Ross Petersen's leadership and twice monthly gathering of volunteers and organizations, despite inevitable frustrations, to maintain the natural areas and implement a widely agreed upon plan for healthy habitat in the Wooded Island. This volunteer assistance to the park district and its contractors is necessary to this park. Ways must be found to reconstitute it for the next year.

Our officers, past and continuing, worked very hard with park's supervisor, district officers, generous private parties, Friends of the Parks and elected officials in the face of numerous increasing challenges and declining budgets in our parks. We believe we can count more successes than disappointments, but now is the time to raise rather than lower the bar.

Jackson Park Advisory Council needs more members, new officers, adoption of new bylaws and new community input so it can continue to monitor, plan and advise for the park and sponsor needs and projects in the park. This is the path to strengthening the park as an asset to its three neighborhoods and people throughout the South Side. We have been assured by park and elected officials of their concern at this time. but if we expect them to serve our parks in informed and serious ways, we have to bring neighbor involvement and set complacency aside.

We are asking neighbors, block clubs and organizations to attend and bring their ideas--and willingness to go to work--to our next council meeting, which wil not be on the usual 2nd Monday but on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m., at the fieldhouse, 6401 S. Stony Island. Let's get started.

Gary Ossewaarde, Secretary, Dwight Powell, Treasurer
Jackson Park Advisory Council

Herald November 3, 2010. By Sam Cholke. JPAC seeks to reorganize, draw members. [Not clear in the following is that the Museum's help is in-kind services, principally im mailing the newsletter. The cause of unsustainability (assuming the Museum continues its generous help) is that the printing costs are borne by a member and could be borne by dues (and many do contribute dues) only with many more members or higher dues. With other obligations to take care of, the treasury has edged down as it is.]

The Jackson Park Advisory Council is struggling to right itself after its president jumped ship last month. "This organization is not financially sustainable," said Gary Ossewaarde, the council's secretary. The group survives on donations from the Museum of Science and attendance at monthly meetings dwindled to only a handful of people. If JPAC paid for the newsletter ourselves, it would be broke within a year, Ossewaarde said.

With a push fro Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th), the council attracted a dozen people [at least 18] to its Oct. 13 meeting and has secured nominations for the vacant president and vice president position[s].

"I've seen a lot of changes and a lot of those changes make me unhappy," said Judith Hill, a Jackson Park Highlands resident who accepted a nomination for vice president.

The council and candidates agreed that safety should be the first issue addressed by the bolstered group.

"We need to take the park back -- I hate having to take things back -- but I think we're at that point," said Fran Vandervoort, a former officer on the council. Crime and safety has moved to teh center o th e council's attention after former president Ross Petersen was attacked in the park with a baseball bat and CBS reported on complaints of public sex near the park's japanese garden. ..

Who is President Louise McCurry and what is her agenda?

Besides being a health care provider in schools, Louise is/has been:

•Member JPAC for approx. 15 years
•Avid hiker, biker, dog walker, kite flyer, past docent for the Notebaert Nature Academy and Field Museum
•Raised her children in HP
•Picks up trash and fills holes in JP
•In park several times a day and loves it.
•For past 20 years, in charge of the American Youth Soccer Organization in Hyde Park.
•Our most precious natural resource, our children

PLANS FOR JPAC
•Our strength lies in our families and groups who use the Park
•Wants each group to choose a member to represent them in JPAC
•Must broaden base of volunteers
•Need committee to look at work of other PACs
•JPAC has many brilliant but inactive members expert in trees, birds, water conservation, child development, music in the parks, park history, etc. Let's get those people INVOLVED in working out volunteer programs and projects to improve the Park.
•A web site for JPAC is important for communicating the work of JPAC, disseminating timely info about upcoming events. Our website should be interactive.
•JPAC can be an important community resource where programs are carefully planned and speakers are invited to educate us.
•People should leave each meeting saying "I learned something I can really use. We should have coffee, tea, and healthy snacks at each meeting. People are more friendly when they break bread together.
•We are an amazing community resource, full of some of the brightest and most dedicated people on the South Side. I think together, we at JPAC can make a difference in how people enjoy and relate to Jackson Park.

This is excerpted from her position paper of November's (2010) JPAC meeting

JPAC press release December 2010

PAC revitalization press release December 2010

Jackson Park Advisory Council has been revitalized

The following is a release by and about Jackson Park Advisory Council. The section starting with the second paragraph was sent to the Hyde Park Herald as a Letter to the Editor. GMO

December, 2010

Chicago’s Park Advisory Councils are a unique and successful partnership between communities and the governing body for Chicago’s parks. For the past 27 years, Jackson Park Advisory Council has safeguarded the park and introduced or rallied behind improvements under strong leaders including Eric Hatchett, Nancy Hays, and Ross Petersen and participation of members and local and citywide partners. JPAC has been adept and inventive over the years, this year forming a working partnership with Care of Trees and arranging a fiscal agency with Friends of the Parks. As happens from time to time, JPAC this year also experienced internal and external stresses and some officers resigned. The following tells how this Chicago park advisory council recruited involvement from its communities and reinvented itself.

The Jackson Park Advisory Council (JPAC) has been revitalized! As a large cadre from the park’s surrounding neighborhoods, JPAC invites you join our action committees and participate in our monthly meetings, working both to sustain what is strong and to support or introduce new creative uses and projects throughout the park. We ask you to keep in mind that it takes financial support to carry out the responsibilities and pursue the opportunities of the advisory council for this large park in our backyard.

May we introduce our new President—Louise McCurry, known to many of you as the “soccer lady,” and our new Vice President—Toshia Booker-Blakeley, a real estate agent from South Shore. Gary Ossewaarde remains Secretary and Dwight Powell Treasurer. Our committees are brimming with new ideas for Safety, Natural Areas, Outreach, and Youth and other Programs. Their projects will increase membership, communication and input from communities, volunteerism and participation.

We took three important actions December 13 that show our commitment for the long term:

1) Following up on a large community meeting, JPAC enthusiastically endorsed a Chicago Park District grant request for a privately-funded artificial surface football/soccer field inside the present running track along Stony Island that will be scheduled and maintained by the park district. The field and track are already undergoing preparation for new lighting, drainage and other amenities. The new surface and improvements will serve much better the park district, school and other teams that use them.

2) Following up on a November JPAC convened walk through of Wooded Island with the park district and stakeholders, at which many careful questions were asked and answered, JPAC at its December meeting endorsed an updated plan and schedule for habitat reconstruction on the Island and recommitted to participation in a broad oversight group, the Wooded Island Working Group.

3) A progressive set of bylaws was adopted, concluding several months of work by the committee composed of Fran Vandervoort, Gary Ossewaarde, and attorney Roger M. Huff.

JPAC is evaluating its and the park’s existing programs and operations, recommending new projects, and pursuing new partnerships and ways of involving neighbors and stakeholders in creating an amazing and enjoyable park that remains true to its historic heritage. We welcome and need your input and ideas and want you to be pleased and excited about this park, this neighborhood asset in your backyard. Our watchword is “We can do more…and we will!” We meet 2nd Mondays 7:30 at the fieldhouse, 6401 S. Stony Island, next being January 10. Please contact garyossewaarde@yahoo.com about working with and supporting JPAC.

Louise McCurry, Toshia Booker-Blakeley, Gary Ossewaarde, Dwight Powell—Jackson Park Advisory Council

Letter in the Hyde Park Herald January 5, 2011.

By Daschell M. Phillips

JPAC, new board in place, "revitalized"

After the departure of the Jackson Park Advisory Council's most prominent members, secretary Gary Ossewaarde and treasurer Dwight Powell started an emergency search to reconstruct the board.

In August of 201, long-time JPAC board vice president Frances Vandervoort released a letter stating that she was resigning as the vice president of the council and as a co-chairman of the Nature Committee.* In September, JPAC board president Ross Petersen resigned from his position due to what he called the "incompetence" of the Chicago Park District, which claimed did not do enough to help volunteers maintain the work they were doing in the park and keep park volunteers safe. An election for new board members was held in December and the council announced that the JPAC had been revitalized.

JPAC's new president is Louise McCurry, Hyde Park resident, nurse and commissioner of kids' soccer teams in the Mid South area and the council's new vice president is Toshia Booker-Blakeley, a real estate agent from South Shore. Both served as interim board members until they were officially elected. Ossewaarde will remain secretary and Dwight Powell will remain treasurer.

In the new year the council plans to pursue its ideas for park safety, preserving natural areas and creat[ing] outreach and youth programs in hopes of increasing membership and volunteerism, according to Ossewaarde.

*Frances Vandervoort remains a very active JPAC council and committee member.

JPAC thinks parks are for the dogs.

(Note- the following Hyde Park Herald May 3, 2011 gives a wrong date for the Dog Park Committee and community meetings. The most recent meeting was on Monday, May 2, which was major. Come to the regular council meeting May 9 7:30 in the fieldhouse. Next will be announced. The article is therefore adjusted. The site is an abandoned court near 59h Marina.)t

The Jackson Park Advisory Council will hold a community meeting to discuss creating an off-leash dog park. "We are exploring the possibility of opening a dog park," said Louise McCurry, president of JPAC. "Dogs need 30 minutes to one hour of exercise each day."

For several years Hyde Park dog owner have advocated for off-leash dog parks. Most recently, the Hyde Park Bark Alliance, a group of about 20 resident dog owners, hosted a "Halloween Paws Parade" in 2009 and again in 2010 to raise awareness for the need for a dog park in the neighborhood. The group, which held a parade at 51st and hyde Park Boulevard in Harold Washington Park, could not get former Ald. Toni Preckwinkle's support in making that area of the park an off-leash area.

[Under discussion at the Jackson Park meetings:] community support of the park, the location of the park and fundraising efforts...

Dog Park (Jackson Bark) going full blast (see meetings in calendar)

Louise McCurry (JPAC President and lead of the Jackson Bark) writes May 28, 2011

There is enormous interest in creating a Dog Park in Jackson Park. Of those petitions that have been turned in already, more that 700 people have expressed their enthusiastic support. Many of those who signed the petition and attended the previous meetings, have pledged to join the Dog Park Committee and act as Dog Park Stewards, which are important steps in successfully creating and maintaining a dog park in accordance with the Chicago Park District Dog Friendly Areas Permit Plan (http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/resources/dog_friendly_areas/) as required by the Cook County Animal and Rabies Control Ordinance (http://www.cookcountygov.com/portal/server.pt/community/animal_rabies_control/247). Additional Committee members and Stewards are needed.

The Jackson Park Advisory Council (JPAC) is spearheading this effort, but it cannot do this alone. Your efforts and involvement with JPAC are vital to its success. Many dog park enthusiasts in the community have attended the monthly JPAC meeting to express their support, volunteer, offer suggestions and obtain information. JPAC encourages all interested to do so as well.
At the upcoming DOG PARK MEETING, Tuesday, May 31. 2011 from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, (at the proposed dog park site) participants will turn in additional petitions, elect the Dog Park Committee Officers, approve the Jackson Park Dog Park Operating Plan and discuss fundraising efforts. Please bring your ideas for planning, funding, designing and operating Jackson Park Dog Park to the meeting.

Sports corner

About the Jackson Park Urban Farm and Community Allotment Garden

From the site http://www.growingpower.org/Chicago_projects.htm. The Jackson Park Urban Farm and Community Allotment Garden
Established 2007

Located in Jackson Park at the intersection of S. Cornell Drive & E. Marquette Drive, Chicago, IL 60649.

In collaboration with the Chicago Park District, Growing Power manages the Jackson Park Urban Farm and Community Allotment Garden in Chicago. This half-acre site is used as a community garden for local gardeners and as a model-urban farm for Growing Power to supply fresh-produce to Chicago’s south side. At the farm, community members learn gardening basics from Growing Power’s staff and have the opportunity to farm their own plot.

The Jackson Park Urban Farm includes space for Growing Power to grow produce in raised beds, training and education of community residents who use allotment plots, youth development, community outreach through education programs and the availability of locally grown fresh, safe and healthy food that exceeds certified organic standards.

The growing beds use Growing Power’s Living Biological Worm System approach and is an active learning tool to teach youth and adults the importance of closed-loop systems and how to grow food in urban soil which is often depleted or contaminated. Learning how to compost using both aerobic and anaerobic digestion methods and the production of valuable vermicompost and compost tea is stressed and part of the hands-on training and demonstration both with gardeners and our youth.

Interested in gardening at Jackson Park? Please email Laurell Sims at laurell@growingpower.org or call 773.376.8882.

Youth Program:
Teens work after school and during the summer at all of our urban farm sites in Chicago. In 2010, through our partnership with After School Matters and the Chicago Housing Authority, Growing Power Chicago provided 140 teens the opportunity to get their hands dirty working at active, thriving neighborhood farms. For detailed information regarding our youth program, please click here.

Food Policy:
The Chicago team is actively engaged in policy related work when is comes to urban farming and food security. The Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council (CFPAC) facilitates the development of responsible policies that improve access for Chicago residents to culturally appropriate, nutritionally sound, and affordable food that is grown through environmentally sustainable practices. The CFPAC is a network of organizations and individuals sharing their experiences and concerns about food security in the Chicago region in order to influence policy makers to make informed decisions motivated by the goals of community food security. Erika Allen, our Chicago Projects Manager, is the president of the council and Growing Power staff provides technical support.

The Growing Food and Justice for All Initiative (GFJI) is an initiative aimed at dismantling racism and empowering low-income and communities of color through sustainable and local agriculture. This comprehensive network views dismantling racism as a core principal which brings together social change agents from diverse sectors working to bring about new, healthy and sustainable food systems and supporting and building multicultural leadership in impoverished communities throughout the world.

Market Basket Program:
In Chicago, we have 14 active market basket sites. At these sites, neighbors can pick-up fresh produce and share in our farmers bounty. Different from a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program, our Market Basket offers a variety of produce, from local farmers and from small scale wholesalers to create a one-stop produce pick-up. Click here to learn more or sign-up for our Market Basket program.

Farmers Markets:
From May through December, you can get your fresh produce at one of our local markets in Chicagoland. Click here for exact street locations for our markets. The following is a list of markets when you can get your delicious greens and hardy vegetables:

61st Street Farmers' Market in Woodlawn on Saturdays;
Chicago Lights Urban Farm in River North on Saturdays;
Englewood Farmers' Market on Thursdays;
Green City Market in Lincoln Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays;
Iron Street Urban Farm in Bridgeport on Saturdays.
To find out restaurants and small grocery stores who sell our goods, please click here.

Note: As there is a waiting list, JPAC is in discussion with another organization about creating a different, additional garden with employment possibilities.

ENDANGERED AND THREATENED BIRDS THAT HAVE BEEN SPOTTED IN JACKSON PARK OR HYDE PARK

Appreciation to Jean Strable of Chicago Audubon. 2011

Black-crowned night heron: Endangered in Illinois. A regular visitor to the Wooded Island. They nest in Lincoln Park and in the Lake Calumet area and regularly come to roost and feed in the lagoons and habitat of the Wooded Island.
Yellow-crowned night heron: Endangered in Illinois. Not as common as the black-crowned night heron, but they do visit Jackson Park occasionally.
Peregrine Falcon: Threatened in Illinois. Hyde Park is home to at least one, possibly two pair of Peregrine Falcons. They primarily live on and around the University of Chicago campus but we have seen them at the Wooded Island.
Black-Billed Cuckoo: Threatened in Illinois. A regular visitor to the Wooded Island.
Piping Plover: Federally Endangered. A rare visitor to the beaches of Jackson Park, but there have been recent reports of piping plovers at Montrose beach.
Least Bittern: Threatened in Illinois. Rare in Jackson Park, but a least bittern spent several weeks in Lincoln Park this summer.

Next events, exhibits, Advisory Council meetings

Normally in the fieldhouse, 6401 S. Stony Island, 7:30 pm 2nd Monday except day after in October. 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.

Next council meeting February 13, Monday- 7:30 pm. La Rabida Children's Hospital, 65th and the Lake, on Promontory Circle Drive (off Marquette Dr.). Tour of facilities and site of new Outpatient facility and healing garden; presentation of plans for the same. A vote will be taken on letter of approval to park district and CDOT.

Workshops-next in January small tool sharpening

COMMITTEES

Fundraising and Development- contact Louise.
Sports and Fields. Chair is Ram Nair.
Dog Friendly/Exercise Park, Jackson Bark. Louise McCurry.
(visit http://www.jacksonparkadvisorycouncil.org/the-dog-park---jackson-bark.htm. See also in the Jackson and Dogs page in this site.)-
Safety Security. Michael Taqee.
Nature. Stewards (see next), Trails and Nature Programs- Fran Vandervoort. and under Fundraising and program for now.

Budget will be available November 18 on line and at South Shore Cultural Center- final board hearing December 7 at PD HQ 4 pm, vote Dec. 14.

VOLUNTEER WORKDAY SCHEDULE. Work is under Chicago Park District vol. coordinator Jason Steger.

SEE AGAIN IN LATE WINTER 2012.

To April 2011 review of list of newly planted trees in Wooded Island. To pic of Aug. 27 2011 beach sweep.

OTHER EVENTS

NEW: February 7, Tuesday, 5:30 am. Sunrise Nature Walk around Jackson Harbor, 58th and the Drive.

Next workshop/clinic, February 18, Saturday, 1:30-3:30 pm. Small tool sharpening. Fieldhouse.

Sharpen Your Tools While Your Sharpen Your Minds!
Saturday, February 18, 2012, Jackson Park Fieldhouse, 6401 South Cottage Grove Avenue, in Chicago, 1:30 – 3:30 PM.

It’s not too early to prepare your garden tools for the upcoming gardening season! Don X. Nekrosius, well known gardening expert, will help local gardeners sharpen and care for their clippers, loppers, and other tools for the upcoming growing season. Don will be presenting the workshop as a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener. He’s also a master composter – maybe he can answer questions about composting as well!
Bring your tools and take them home as good as new!

Direct questions to the Jackson Park Advisory Council, Louise McCurry, President, (773) 844-2225, or Fran Vandervoort, (773) 752-8374.

WINTER PROGRAMS- ONLINE AT CPD WEBSITE FROM 9 AM NOV. 28, DEC. 3 AT FIELDHOUSE. VIEW ONLINE FROM NOV. 14. Now underway. Look for Spring's from the end of February.

WALKS: Birders. The birders have again added Wednesdays at 7 am (7:15 in winter) to their Saturday 8 am rounds. Meet at Darrow Bridge south of the MSI pond. Other days including Sunday mornings you may find other groups touring Wooded Island and Osaka Garden. Jerry Levy also has done tours by special arrangement. BIRD WALKING NOW GOES YEAR-ROUND.

February 7, Tuesday, 5:30 am. Sunrise Nature Walk around Jackson Harbor, 58th and the Drive.

Lawn Bowling and Croquet are at the Bowling Green, which is southeast of the Museum east parking lot/ Lake Shore Drive entry at 5800. Go left past the 59th Harbor entrance to the Bowling Green driveway. Contact Tom Michael at 708-366-8228. Be sure to wear flat shoes.

Lawn bowling Sundays

_________________________________________________________

Picture of the August 27 2011 Beach Sweep crew

_________________________________________________________

Installed in the Art Institute of Chicago are the remaining carved panels from the Wooded Island Phoenix Temple from the Columbian Exposition. The pieces were found in 1973 under the bleachers of Soldier field and subsequently dispersed to the Art Institute and University of Illinois Chicago. OPEN. Details in the September 2011 JPAC Newsletter. Or click here.

About the November 23, 2010 community meeting. The Chicago Park District held a community meeting on a proposed artificial surface field in Jackson Park. A large meeting including school coaches and teams was enthusiastic about the improvement that would come from a new surface inside the running track between Stony and Cornell. There would be no cost to the park district and would simply substitute for the renewed regular surface needed after current work on new drainage and lighting and concrete removal. One drawback is that there is little room for bleachers. The project and letter of provisional support sent at Park District request were discussed and approved December 13.

JPAC and its Nature and Security committees held an evaluation and get acquainted walk through of Wooded Island and nearby (actually an informal meeting of parts of the Wooded Island Working Group and including Adam Schwerner and Jerome Scott from the Park District) on Friday, November 26. There was a full and open discussion of evolved plan and purpose, kind of habitat, what's been and being removed and planted and where, beaver handling, what activities volunteer groups could do. The Park District will attempt to furnish the full planting map to be placed on the website. December 13 the council voted to rejoin the Wooded Island Working Group with proviso that major changes be brought to a meeting of JPAC as the recognized advisory body to the Park District.

The Advisory Council facilitated a very generous funding grant from Care of Trees, approved by the Chicago Park District Dept. of Natural Resources, for 2009-10 winter to clear dead and storm-downed material and plants choking damaged oaks on Wooded Island, particularly at the south end. approval and a significant appropriation of $2,400 was voted from the Council at the Nov. 9 2009 meeting to realize this special opportunity.
PROVIDING FUNDS FOR CARE OF TREES TO DO MORE WORK THIS WINTER WILL WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NATURE COMMITTEE AND FOR THE DECEMBER 13 MEETING. Due to low funds, the council will hold off until we have launched our fund drive in December.

Recent meeting minutes are now up in the Minutes and Resolutions page.
Note- the October meeting is always on the following Tuesday (day after 2nd Monday) due to Columbus day-fieldhouse closed.

View current and proposed (annotated) revised bylaws.
New Advisory Council Standards Proposed.

Birding tours of Wooded Island and adjacent (although without) Doug Anderson. Wednesdays at 7, Saturdays at 8 am. Meet at Darrow Bridge south of the Museum Columbia Basin. 773 493-7058. Through New Years, then resume in late March.

Volunteer Workdays-have ended for this year. A committee is seeks reactivation and participated in its first walk through on November 26, Friday, with the Park District and some other stakeholders. Need to develop management plans for areas outside the Wooded Island and Bob-o-link Meadow and to look at lagoon edge planting were generally acknowledge.
Good news: Norman Bell and Gail Perry have agreed to serve as site steward for the natural areas

Rationale and purpose for Wooded Island habitat restoration - 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 2009.

Care of Trees finished its extensive removal of large dead trees and choking growth around mature oaks in winter 2010, with assistance in funding by JPAC, and the Park District was doing more but could not find funds for more plantings after early 2010.

_________________________________

Bird tours

Doug Anderson's Saturday (8 am) bird walks have taken place for over 30 years. Saturdays, 8 am mid March-New Years. And they continue informally, even though Doug cannot lead them. 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. 773 493-7058.

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

Top

Brief reports from most recent meetings

Wooded Island walk through March 9, 2011.

(See also report by Paul Clyne on value of the fence, shared at the walkthrough. Its own page in Birds.)

Views on the March 9, 2011 Wooded Island walkthrough

By Gary M. Ossewaarde, Jackson Park Advisory Council Secretary

A walk through was held March 9, 2011 10 a.m. on Wooded Island (Paul Douglas Nature Sanctuary) that included Zhanna Yermakov and Jason Steger of CPD, reps. of Jackson Park Advisory Council and its committees, members from Wooded Island Working Group, and several representing birding groups that/who may or may not be part of WIWG. Zhanna designated this is not a WIWG walk through but a special walk through about the Rose Garden fence, called by JPAC.

Most agreed that the primary use of most of Wooded Island is as one of the most significant bird sanctuaries in the Midwest, although some insisted this is not the only use or purpose. Studies were cited showing that the most ecologically significant and productive part of Wooded Island is the former Rose Garden- locale of the aforementioned fence.

Although there are major policy issues and negative perceptions by some regarding the effects of past and planned habitat work--all of which will be visited and addressed on an ongoing basis, the issue addressed today was the fence around the former Rose Garden.
Points of either consensus or continued non-resolution appeared to me to be the following:

• The fence was to serve the primary purpose of Wooded Island as a bird and wildlife sanctuary by 1) providing birds with protection and a preferred perching and congregating space and
2) discouraging or limiting uses by and presence of people and dogs.
3) No one said that this particular fence is of other paramount value such as historic or aesthetic.

• Little purpose was seen served by discontinuing the fence, and its removal would be expensive, or if gratis would involve much labor and time and would increase need for open bidding etc.

• The Park District has already identified parts of the fence as severely damaged and posing safety and appearance problems, seen by CPD as its duty to rectify. These sections are already on Park District Work Order lists, although likely quite far down in priority. There was widespread agreement that highly damaged parts of the fence, particularly by the east gate, should or can be addressed, preferably by repair and replacement. There was disagreement or no decision on the immediate need for such attention and whether the gate should be fixed, replaced, or removed.

• Funds are not presently identified for the up to $20,000 in money or kind needed for repairs. An offer by a skilled member of the Advisory Council to do work gratis or for cost of material only (with no material to be removed and resold) was discussed, but consensus was that there should be open bidding. There was not agreement or commitment (including by JPAC or birder groups) regarding any plan for immediate fundraising.

• Suggested consensus was that the fence should remain as serving the primary purpose of Wooded Island but that repairs may be undertaken, possibly supplemented with vegetation or other means of serving bird needs and discouraging general entry to the Rose Garden during fence section repairs or replacement.

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 Electric (to downtown and the south suburbs). There are many bike trails through the park, including along the lake, but not many straight-through except Hayes and Marquette Drives, although a roundabout route over Darrow Bridge runs to the 59th St. underpass.

The park is shared with two important institutions: the Museum of Science and Industry (a Museum in the Parks) and La Rabida Children's Hospital. Our neighbors include the University of Chicago. To our immediate north is famed Promontory Point, to our south the South Shore Cultural Center. Other key structural destinations in addition to the field house at 6401 S. Stony Island are the 63rd Street Beach House with Interactive Play Fountain, the Bowling Green and clubhouse south of Science Drive/5800, the 18-hole Golf Course centered at the Partee Golf Clubhouse southwest of Hayes and Richards, and the Golf Driving Range north of Hayes Drive.

Other major features: Statue of the Republic at Hayes and Richards Drive, Wooded Island (Paul H. Douglas Nature Sanctuary and Osaka Japanese Garden), Bob-o-link Meadow, Perennial Garden at Stony/Cornell and Midway Plaisance (59th), Columbia Basin and Clarence Darrow Bridge south of Museum of Science and Industry, Landmarked 63rd St. Bathing Pavilion with Schiff interactive garden, emerging new dune habitat, drumming circle, and to the north the re-set old granite paver beach,, 57th Beach, 59th Marina, 'Iowa' building at 56th and South Shore, Jackson Park Harbor, the many soccer and other fields, the running track at Stony and 61st, and really neat bridges. .

Park Headquarters is the Field House at 6401 South Stony Island Avenue, 60637. 773 256-0903. Park Supervisor Bill Tillis.

This is in turn directed by the Chicago Park District South Region, Manager Liz Millan, represented by Area Manager Cordell Hopkins. The region offices are at Tarkington Park, with the Area Manager at Washington Park.

Parks Security 312 747-2193. Director Kevin Ryan

Park Management

Park supervisor: Bill Tillis, 773 256-0903. Director for the South Region is Liz Millan, area Cordell Hopkins

Help maintain our park : If you see something that needs fixing in the park, contact JPAC or this site. Gary Ossewaarde or Ross Petersen at 773 975-1101. Hint: always bring a camera along- but don't put yourself in danger just to get "evidence." Be specific about where you see a problem and problem details. For example, all light poles have numbers. Staff monitor the park regularly, especially with Monday walk throughs. Call to arrange to meet the assigned staff on walk through to show problems.

Park Police, including if someone is parking on the grass: 312 747-2193 (number changed?), For emergency call 911. (In general 311 for park issues will only get you shunted to the park district, but you can try to use to get a paper trail started--ask for the complaint number so you can keep calling back.)

Be sure to support CAPS community policing. The park's beat is 3rd District 331, which meets 3rd Mondays at South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 South Shore Drive.

See someone fly-dumping? Call 312 744-7672 with license number, description of vehicle, what's being dumped.

Also contact Rosalind Moore at Alderman Leslie Hairston's (5th) office 773 324-5555.

JPAC can always use volunteers on committees and projects--particularly Nature. And we welcome you at our meetings, also your photos, letters, queries, etc. Contact Ross Petersen at 773 975-1101 or about the latter two items Gary Ossewaarde, (hpkcc@aol.com may be faster), 773 947-9541.

Top of page

Happenings at the field house/kids programs, 6401 South Stony Island Avenue, 60637, 773 256-0903. For more: go to our Recreation Directory and Parks Directory, Chicago Park District website, 312 742-PLAY, or get the quarterly program flyer at park field houses. Register on line (limited spaces) or in person.

Summer track program starting in park

Jackson has sports camps in August! Ages 8-12 August 8-17 M-F 10-4 (supply own equipment).

TriMasters Triathlon and kids walk/race Saturday, August ?, 7 am from 63rd St. Beach. Details 5th Ward Office, 773 324-5555.

Specials: open to all, and adults encouraged to come and observe even kid's programs.

Essay contests each January, February

Park no. for info: 773 256-0903

General: What's on in various quarters?

After School Park Kids. Now $80
Spring Break Camp $40
Teen Club Tuesdays 6-9- Free
Fitness Center (free Jan. 2-10 + cinchbag if reg. for Winter in that time). Various ages and subsets, ranging from free (if in the Seasonal Sports) or $5 per session to whole season -highest $45
Gymnastics Tumbling-Tuesdays, free
Piano (perm. needed)-$40 and $45
Basketball- Inner City (must be in afterschool program)free; Men's $150
Cheerleading- free
Seasonal sports- free; Soccer 3 on 3 free must be in afterschool; Volleyball free must be in afterschool

Adult conditioning programs in the new weight room!

About the Mayor Daley's Summer Track Program-look for it again in 2010.

If you are between the ages of 9 and 14 and want to have a fun and active time this summer, join Mayor Daley's Summer Track Program. Boys and Girls across Chicago are invited to participate in this free Summer program. No experience in track and field is necessary and all are invited to join a team and have fun training and running track. Through August 16, culminating in an Olympic style Track Meet featuring runners, jumpers, throwers.
Visit http://www.worldsportchicago.org to see a list of participating wards and contact details about the team nearest you. Questions? track@worldsportchicago.org or (312) 8612-4937.

____________________

Recreational facilities and opportunities at Jackson Park

Visit Jackson Park's newly renovated Fitness Center. Purchase a $50 fitness pass today and receive unlimited visits during the quarter, Monday-Friday 9:30 am-9:30 pm. Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Detailed schedule and prices. Per-session also available. Jackson Park Field house, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave. 773 256-0903.

Large sets of soccer and ball fields (many having schedules as they are used by schools, Youth Soccer, et al.) Has Junior Bears, other programs out of the field house.
Almost olympic sized modern running track between Stony and Cornell 61st to 62nd, with school-used football field in middle.
Tennis: lit concrete surface court c. 5900 S./ west of the Drive accessible from Science Drive (5800) south across the Music Court bridge then east. Soft surface but unlit courts in 6300 block of Stony Island north of the field house. Jackson is a Tennis Welcome Center- browse this page, tennis, re lessons, mixers, tournaments.
Jackson Park field house, 6401 Stony. Gym with popular basketball programs, some open to teens and adults but many requiring seasonal registration. Weight room and fitness center. Activity rooms. Kid and teen programs of wide range fill up fast.
63rd St. Beach house. Ancillaries in summer sometimes include windsurfing/ski jets and bike-carts rentals, concessions, Junior Lifeguard. Major beach on the mid-south lakefront. Max Schiff Interactive Play Fountain is a real treat.
57th Beach and beach house with summer concession (no auto access)
Major bike and running trails
Bowling Green, used by Lakeside Lawn Bowling Association-contact Tom Michael (708 366 8228) or (312 684-8799) and Chicago Croquet Club-contact Dan Whalen, (773 269-2745).
Jackson Park Golf Course (18) hole-(312 747-2763) access course and Partee Club House south from Hayes Drive (6300) , the Golf Driving Range (312 747-2762) north from Hayes Drive past the soccer fields. Run by Kemper (find golf courses in phone book under Chicago Park District). See also below under special facilities for more information.
Jackson Park Harbor, 59th Marina. Run by Westrec. Have Jackson Park, Southern Shore, and Museum Shores yacht clubs. (find harbors in phone book under Chicago Park District; contact this website for yacht clubs if really needed; numbers work only seasonally except individual officers).
Partnership programs: Junior Bears, Tri-Masters

Outside providers of recreation in Jackson Park

Chicago Croquet Club plays at Jackson Park lawn bowling facility, south of 58th Science Drive west of Lake Shore Drive. Contact Dan Whalen, 773 269-2745 or call 312 943-9289. .

Golf

Sno-Gophers Ski Club and Indoors/Outdoors Golf. Training and outings for high schoolers at Jackson Park. www.sno-gophers.org. Jacqueline Beard. jib7732@ameritech.net . 773 978-0493.

A new company runs the 18-hole Jackson Park Golf Course, one of the first public courses west of the Appalachians. (312 747-2763) access course and Partee Club House south from Hayes Drive (6300) , the Golf Driving Range (312 747-2762) north from Hayes Drive past the soccer fields. Run by Kemper (find golf courses in phone book under Chicago Park District).

Jackson Park Golf Course. 18-hole Course. Partee Golf Clubhouse, 63rd and S. Lake Shore Drive, 312 747-2763

Jackson Park Golf Driving Range, 63rd and S. Lake Shore Drive, 312 747-2762.

Contact also Jackson Park Golf Association, 1718-20 E. 75th St., 60649, 773 493-8820 Note- moved or closed?

Lawn Bowling

Lakeside Lawn Bowling Club. Starts in May and goes well into fall. Lessons available. Regular play weekends and some weekday afternoons/evenings. Shares schedule with Croquet. Bowling green and clubhouse are south of 58th/Science Drive west of Lake Shore Drive. Open House Sunday June 12 2005.
Contact Tom Michael, 708 366-8228.

For something completely different.... Lakeshore Lawn Bowling Club Open House. Jackson Park south of Museum of Science and Industry east lot. Exit Lake Shore Drive at 58th (Science Drive). Wear flat shoes. Tom Michael at 708 366-8228, bigguylor@comcast.net. General bowling Tuesday nights at 7, Saturdays and Sundays at 1. Part of the weekend day is bowling, part croquet.

Croquet also has its own schedule at the Bowling Green.

Soccer:

Youth Soccer and adult leagues play in the large suite of fields north of Hayes Drive up to the Golf Driving Range.751 Commissioner Louise McCurry sits on JPAC's board. Concerns include maintaining good and safe traffic, parking, and pedestrian flow, good security, well-kept fields, and good relations with other park users.

Youth: Visit the local website, www.AYSO751.org. Hotline 773 324-KICK. Bring to registration birth certificate or passport, health insurance card, parent photo ID, parent volunteer enthusiasm!
1100 boys and girls aged 4 1/2 to 19 in the fastest growing aerobic team sport in the country.
AYSO: Safe, Fun, Fair:

Open registration, positive coaching, balanced teams divided by age and sex, everyone plays, good sportsmanship
$145 first child, $90 2nd (covers fees, uniforms, trophy, pictures, equipment, field fees)
Practices on Midway Plaisance after school
Games Saturday mornings in Jackson Park (north of Hayes Dr.)

AYSO Adult Amateur League. Registers and plays at Jackson Park noon Saturdays. $30

Youth Explorers- contact the 3rd District Police. Contact the Field house also for info on TriMasters youth triathlon and Big Buddies track plus, Junior Bears.

Tennis

Jackson Park is a Tennis Welcome Center. Adult Competitive Tournament Tennis Program at Jackson Park. 59th at Inlet Harbor is now Friday and Saturday mixers! By Bally's and Hyde Park Tennis with US/Midwest Tennis Association.

US Tennis Association has Tennis Welcome Centers--one is at Jackson Park field house. On line browsing and locator with contacts now available. It includes guides to lessons. There is also a toll free number, 1-866 686-3036 and e-mail. Robert Velasco. 773 991-0231.
Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave. 773 430-3336, field house 773 256-0903. itt@tmail.com. Two sets of courts- south of 63rd at Stony Island north of field house, at 59th south of the 59th Marina Inlet west of Lake Shore Drive.

Top of page

A busy "underutilized" park

Increasing activity in our “underused” park

If Jackson Park is underutilized, as some say, why are JPAC meetings and officers so busy facilitating, evaluating and monitoring new and ongoing programs? And more requests (some competing) for dedicated or shared spaces, times or structures will be coming. Some of these we will encourage; for others we will seek changes or in our advisory role will oppose.

Among programs and activities discussed in the current and recent issues of the Newsletter are:
· A school-led education and activity program centered on the footprint of the Haiti Pavilion at the 1893 Columbian Exposition,
· Drumming concerts east of the 63rd Bathing Pavilion parking lot, going ahead despite lack of a convenient seating facility,
· Planning for a commemorative structure recalling the Korean Pavilion at the Columbian Exposition,
· Nature Oasis programs, a Stollerathon, bike rides and races that close the Drive, a tennis tournament, and a big party on the Museum of Science and Industry lawn for the new U-505 exhibit.

This is besides a very busy 63rd Bathing Pavilion with its highly popular Schiff legacy interactive play fountain, vast numbers of adult and youth soccer players, players of tennis, basketball, baseball and softball, users of the new track, large numbers of picnickers, golfers, lawn bowling and croquet players, fishers, birders and other strollers in the natural and other parts of the park, families at the playgrounds, swimmers and sunbathers, bicyclists especially on the lakefront, boaters in our 3 harbors, school teams readying for fall sports, visitors to the Museum and La Rabida Hospital, not to mention the kids in Park District and sponsorship programs both in our overcrowded field house and out in the playing fields.

While some parts of the park are lightly used, some of our problems come from crowding. The lots along Hayes/63rd cannot handle all the cars at times and there is already as much ground given over to the auto as these parts of the park can tolerate. After all, having places people want to visit and use (including open land and nature preserve) is the highest and best use of park lands—and that’s why the city has recently given parks their own zoning designation and use-change review procedure. So stay tuned—better, involved—and do enjoy the Park.

One last word. We will do our part to push for facilities upgrades and guard against things that hurt the park or its usefulness. We ask that you exercise responsibility when in the park, whether with coals and flammables, litter, with your pets, getting proper permits for your group, or parking only in designated lots.
Gary Ossewaarde

Top