HPKCC
program home. Committees.
About HPKCC.
HPKCC
Parks homepage.
To Nichols
Park Framework Plan with
schematics. To Nichols
planning process.

Officers
elected May 2017
President-
Stephanie Franklin 773 955-3622
Vice President- Van Bistrow Van
Bistrow
Secretary- Dave White
Treasureer- Caprice Lindsay
At large- Camille Hamilton-Doyle
Meadow
Steward- Daniel Brown djbrown@yahoo.com
Correspondence address is
NPAC c/o Stephanie Frankli,
5453 S. Kenwood Av.
Chicago, IL 60615
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This
is the designated site of Nichols Park Advisory Council.
Park
Supervisor Ayanna Nikki Peters, in the fieldhouse at the north
end of Nichols Park, 1355 E. 53rd St., 312 747-2703.
Nichols Park runs between 53rd and 55th Streets, Kimark-Kenwood
Next
NPAC meeting and Advisory Council News
(2nd Thursdays) -next February 14. 7 pm in the
fieldhouse.
EVENTS
Volunteer now for next year's 4th on 53rd Parade and Picnic-
Laura Staley.
Note the address for correspondence for the Parade and Picnic
is now that of the Nichols Park fieldhouse, 1355 E. 53rd St.
PAC
Resolution Oct
2017 on Jackson Park Proposals (PDF doc)
MEADOW WORKDAYS have a new schedule under Daniel Brown-
See details, contact & schedule.
Gloves
and tools supplied but wear hats and long pants. Meet at 54th
meadow. Generally in season, 4th Sundays 3-5 pm unless
inclement weather. Check wih djbrown@yahoo.com.
Next Wildflower Meadow Workday various Sundays 3:00pm-5:00pm
For the full schedule see the Park District’s Volunteer
website:
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/get-involved/volunteer/natural-areascommunitystewardshipdays.
A
stroll through the wildflower meadow- a designated butterfly sanctuary-
is a pleasant experience. Stroll also in summer the formal garden
at the north end of the park.
4th on 53rd Parade and Picnic - Story and links to pictures.
This
25+ year old community-run and supported institution underwrites
the George Franklin Memorial Summer Sunday Concerts- 2017 July
9-Sept 9in the north end of the park.
Management and volunteering information tba soon. 4thon53rd.com.
Register to
volunteer- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-on-53rd-street-parade-participant-registration-33502770689.
See 2 dead ash trees by Kimbark south of the tennic court and
in the south part of the park that have been carved into a heron
with fish (painted) and a wolf by artist Jim Long. Then see Cosmo
Campoli's Bird of Peace on 53rd St. by the gym.
Dozens of replacement trees were planted 2015-16. And in 2016
playground equipment was replaced!
In
this page:
To
sub pages
Member,
Hyde Park Vitality Committee
Nichols
gym and programs: schedules
available at the gym and in the Park District website /Assets-look
for the park's page.
Park
Supervisor Ayanna "Nikki" Peters,
312 747-2703.
1355 E. 53rd Street.
ayanna.peters@chicagopark
district.com
Find info in chicagoparkdistrict.com
Hours:
School year:
MWF 1-9, Tu,Th 10:30-9,
Saturday 8-4
Summer:
M-F 7:30 am-9 varies, Weekends closed.
Summer Camp starts 4th Mon June
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4th
on 53rd Parade and Picnic 2005, including, right, Hyde Park Garden
Fair Committee's float. (GF volunteers help in the Meadow and are
responsible for aspects of the Formal Gardens.) Pics Mary Rose Shaughnessy.
And a great time was had by all!
Hyde
Park-Kenwood Community Conference is the fiscal agent for Nichols
Park Advisory Council.
Website hydepark.org c HPKCC

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PARK
POINTS- REWARDS FOR PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN YOUR PARK!
Are
you a loyal patron of Chicago’s parks? Then Park Points was made
for you!
The Chicago Park District is excited to announce the launch of Park
Points, a new and innovative program designed to enhance further exploration
and engagement for park patrons by rewarding some of your everyday interactions
with the Park District. The first of its kind in the country, Park Points
is available through your mobile device, desktop, and any other devices
with Internet access.
Park Points provides you many ways to earn points simply by being a
Chicago Park District patron. Earning opportunities could include visiting
a specific beach or park, sharing photos via social media, participating
in certain classes, attending specific events, and more. As exciting
activities are happening in our parks and facilities we will let you
know exactly how to earn more points. In fact, by signing up today and
linking some of your social media accounts, you’ll instantly be
rewarded with points!
The best part of it all is that you get to take the points you’ve
earned and bid on exclusive experiences such as turning on Buckingham
Fountain, private training from a boxing expert or taking a boat cruise
to enjoy the lakefront fireworks! And that’s just the beginning,
throughout the year we’ll be adding exciting experiences for you
to bid on.
Park Points is our way of saying thanks for being our biggest supporters
and reward you for your continued loyalty.
If you have not checked out Park Points yet, visit www.chiparkpoints.com
to register and start earning points now!
Engage.Earn.Redeem.
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The 2005 4th
on 53rd was one of the best ever. More watchers lined the route than
usual. The games, assigned to specific businesses etc. were highly
popular, as was Zendu the Magician (helped by a brief shower outside.)
In 2016 the Parade celebrated its 25th and added more floats! |
Nichols
Park Advisory Council: Call
Stephanie Franklin, President,
773 955-3622, with comments and questions or e-mail
Nichols Park Council. Dues $10 per year, but all are welcome at the
monthly meetings, 2nd Thursdays, 7 pm, Nichols Park Fieldhouse, 1355 E.
53rd St.
Second contact Van Bistrow, 773
667-1808. We can use your due/contributions- just $10, although voting
depends on attending a minimum number of meetings a year, not paying dues.
meetings Nichols
Park Advisory Council, the recognized advisory body under the Chicago
Park District,
is a self-sustaining program committee of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community
Conference. This page is maintained by HPKCC as one of the ny services
we provide to one of the city's most active park advisory councils,
serving the needs and residents of the "central park"
of Hyde Park, at the center of the neighborhood. The Council
also gratefully acknowledges the management of the Formal Garden by the
Hyde Park Garden Fair Committee, management of the mail bed at 53rd Street
by Vue 53, and lead sponsorship of the 4th on 53rd St. by the Hyde Park
Chamber of Commerce.
Officers
are elected annually. Elected January 2017:
President
Stephanie Franklin, Vice President Van Bistrow, Secretary Dave White,
Treasurer Caprice Lindsay, at-large Camille Hamilton-Doyle
Nichols
Park Advisory Council meets on the 2nd
Thursday of the month, 7 pm, at the Nichols Park Fieldhouse . 1355 E.
53rd St. (Use door on west side)Next
regular meeting is Thursday, November 8, 7 pm, Nichols Park field house,
1355 E. 53rd St. February 14.
Regular
members can expect e-mailed minutes, advisories and requests for their
views between meetings, generally from Dave White. Call Stephanie or
Van Bistrow if you wish to be put on a snail or e-mail list. 773 955-3622
Monthly meetings discuss park programming, upkeep, repairs and improvements
with the park supervisor.
Events
NICHOLS PARK Night
Out in the Parks events 2019:
Nichols Park also hosts 4th on 53rd Parade and Picnic and on
following weeks to mid September-
George Franklin Memorial Sunday Afternoon Concerts (4 p.m. various genres).
Lesley
Bloch of the Hyde Park Garden Fair Committee asks for help with the
fall putting to bed and cleaning up of the gardens they plant and maintain
in Nichols park.... North end, "formal" beds. on the morning
of November 3, starting at 9 a.m. Bring gardening gloves, warm clothes
and clippers and trowels if you own them. Contact Lesley if you can
come lesley_bloch@yahoo.com.
Park
Programs
Online Park Program Registration Utilizes
PayPal- and you sign up for a password in the website.
CPD 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
THERE
IS A LARGE ARRAY OF FORMAL PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES FALL 2013 and some informal
such as bridge 12:30-2:30 Mondays.
Registration
for park programs
*Save the date**Online
Day Camp registration begins Mon., 2nd or 3rd Tuesday two months before
the quarter (i.e. April for Summer) at 9 a.m. In person registration begins
the Saturday after online. View program offerings and create a wish list
beginning a couple of weeks before at http://programs.chicagoparkdistrict.com/programBrowser/.
Get a chance
to win Exclusive Early Access to Summer Registration through Park Points™.
Not a member? Sign up NOW and start earning toward this great reward!
Substantial
changes have been made to the system by ActiveNet, the Park District’s
web vendor (more on these changes below). While we believe these changes
will make a big impact on the performance of the system, the Park District
is taking the extra step of dividing registration into two different zones,
to help ensure a successful fall registration.
It
is important that all patrons either create an account in the PD website
or update their account information prior to fall registration.
Update your account information now. Once logged into the system, click
on the "Answer/Edit Account Questions" link. Look for these
questions under the "Account Creation Questions" section for
each account holder. Remember to update this information for all individuals
on your account. Questions?
at the website or play@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Council
actions, Park special events, new and exciting
2017. In
May, NPAC gave final approval to support for management of 4th on 53rd
Street by th Chamber of Commerce, with all final decisions remaining wth
NPAC and its 4th on 53rd Committee.
In May, NPAC also elected officers (the same as before), to not have a
honey bee program in the pasrk, and to pursue a progam for hummingbird
houses in the Meadow.
2016
o prepare a statement
concerning need for parks to do comprehnsive planning, for example Jackson
in light of several major proposals that have recently been made.
Framework
Plan:
In
February-March, the council was reviewing and prioritizing the Framework
Plan of 2003. See results in Framework
page. (Good news" the tennis courts are to be resurfaced this
year.)
In February
2016 revised bylaws were passed.
About our
Memorial trees.
GARDEN
FAIR DEDICATES MEMORIAL TREES
By Bam Postell
One of the
signs of an aging organization is the need to memorialize members who
have died, and in the case of the Garden Fair Committee, beloved children
of members who have passed away all too soon. Naturally, we wanted to
remember our friends by means of living trees, and in centrally located
Nichols Park. These trees were dedicated on Sunday, June 1. The children’s
tree, a Kousa dogwood, is located in a stone-framed plot facing 55th Street,
near Kimbark, and the adults’ tree, an American yellowwood, is located
behind it on the far side of the pool.
At the same
time we honored the installation of the Mary Milner memorial bench, which
is located just north of the Neighborhood Club facing the baseball diamond.
This was financed by the Mary’s life companion, Eugenia Fawcett,
and the Committee.
A third memorial
was the relocation of a group of roses in honor of Ruth Billingsley to
the bed fronting the new Park District Field House at the north end of
the park.
Those present,
Garden Fair members and some family members, toasted the memorials in
lemonade as they walked from one to another, reading the names of the
children at the Kousa dogwood:
Diana Van Valen
David Scheunemann
Norman Nakama
Darcy Black
Reed Schug
Lily Klinger
And the names
of the adult members at the yellowwood:
Sophie Rudin, Richard Kersting, Mollie Salmon, Betty Wagner, Janet Shepherd,
Miyo Schug, Maxine Brown, Mary Milner,
Sue Cullen, Tamara Mendis, Cherry Nakama, Kit Klinger, Cynthia Pittman,
Ruth Billingsley, Jim Lichon, Larayne Black
We were pleased
to find that the Park District, which governs the planting of memorial
trees in parks, has broadened its list of choices to include some beautiful
and lesser known trees. Cornus kousa, the Kousa Dogwood, is related to
our American dogwood, Cornus florida, but is native to Japan, Korea, and
China. We chose this tree for its many fine features: smaller size (20
to 30 feet), strong horizontal branching pattern, and bloom time 2 or
3 weeks later than the local dogwood. Kousa’s “flowers”
are 4 white, pointed bracts around a green center and when they cover
the tree make a starry effect. The bracts often turn pink as they age.
Raspberry-like fruits follow in August to October, 1 inch in diameter,
very decorative and edible. In addition, the tree turns maroon to scarlet
in the fall, and the bark, as the tree ages, exfoliates neatly into patterns
of grey, tan, warm brown, and pale green.
Cladastris
lutea, American yellowwood, is a member of the pea family which will grow
2 to 3 feet per year into an open-arching, dome-shaped tree, to 50 feet
or larger, with a spread almost as wide. It casts a dense shade. The foliage
is dark green and dense, and turns clear yellow in autumn. In June, it
bears long (to 15”) panicles of fragrant white flowers, followed
by flat, thin pods. It has smooth gray bark which is seen best in winter,
accenting the dramatic framework of the branches.
Each of these
trees is the only example of its kind in the park, and will grow in size
and beauty with the years.
Getting
there:
From
south-bound Lake Shore Drive Exit at 53rd and west about a mile. The meadow
is south from 53rd on your left, between Kimbark and Kenwood.
Parking is available on 53rd, 55th, Kenwood, and
Kimbark. Public transportation: CTA route 55 (not 55X) stops on the south
side of the park. Other routes require a walk of 2-5 blocks:
#2 & 15 along 51st (15 from Lake Park until June 20, then nearest
is 51st/Lake Park), #6 express from downtown- from 51st and Lake Park
or 55th/Hyde Park, # 28 express from downtown- from 53rd or 55th (at Lake
Park after June 20), #4 Cottage Grove. Metra--currently closest stop is
at 51st or 55th; 53rd should reopen July 2004. There is no in-park
parking but is street parking. For additional information, call (773)
955-3622.
Who's
in charge here?
Ayanna
"Nikki" Peters is the Park Supervisor. 312
747-2703.
At South Region, now dispersed but with main hq at Tarkington Park. Region
Manager Maya Solis. Region phone remains 312 747-7661. Area Manager Farah
Tunks, 773 324-0540. Marketing and Communications: Yeama Vincent-Neal.
Did
You Know? Nichols has the second largest in program sign up and attendance
in the whole South Region, next only to South Shore Cultural Center. And
there has been no drop off in its popularity, full to the brim.
Top
Blast
from the past- the fieldhouse is born and gardens and plaza created
1st picture
by George Rumsey c. February, 2003, rest Gary Ossewaarde, summer, 2003.
The cinder block wall and tyvek was followed by brick.
See
North
end (Murray addition) Planning; North
Addition views, design, controversy; East
Addition views including murals
Top
Volunteer
days- see below
Jumpstart's event
at Nichols, part of nationwide program that had parents reading to kids
"The Little Engine That Could" was a huge success.
Hot
Topics and news
Watch for an exciting
announcement about the 4th on 53rd Parade and Picnic and the Summer Concerts
See
complete
original Garden Fair
proposal with view.
Trash
overflowing 2004.
Ongoing since then: The cans keep disappearing and periodically trash
pickup stops. The NPAC again asked for help early in 2017.
Trash:
Nichols asks,
"What will it take to get this problem fixed?" Just
replacing Waste Management with Flood was not enough! See the Trash
Change page.
"where
are the cans going?"
Southeast
Region office, 312/747-7661. Be sure also to call Van Bistrow of
the Trash Committee, 773 667-1808. |
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Park
Work Days-
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