Cosmo Campoli's Great Bird of Peace installed at the Nichols Park fieldhouse

Nichols Park Advisory Council page and Nichols Park record, 53rd to 55th, Kenwood to Kimbark

Nichols Park Advisory Council Logo, featuring the Bird of Peace

Dedication of the Gym (with pics) April 3, 2004
About Bird of Peace and its March 19 2005 rededication. More at cosmosegg@ameritech.net.
The Plaza Paved-what NPAC asked and got. Beds as under constr. Newest addn: Mary Milner mem. bench from HP Garden Fair

2005 4th on 53rd pics. Past4th on 53rd pics.
Report, pics on U of C service day- Nichols 9/23

Next NPAC meeting July 9, 7 pm (2nd Thursdays) -Nichols Park Fieldhouse
Meadow cleanup Sundays next July 19, 26, 4-6 pm. Gloves, tools provided. Weeding, cleanup, some planting. Carol Schneider, 684-2619.

Park Supervisor Heather Kelly, in the fieldhouse at north end, 1355 E. 53rd St., 312 747-2307.

This site has no connection with permits, special events, or reservations. Call Park Services at 312 742-5369, or the fieldhouse (below) or for info go to http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.

In this page: (To links to the other NP pages)

To sub pages

L.V. Banks and the Swinging Blues Band perform August 7 at the Nichols Park Sunday Concerts

Nichols Park long view south from middle to Neighborhoo Club. Gary Ossewaarde

Nichols Park Gary Woljniak water fountain sculptue in southwest corner at Kimbark-55th. Gary Ossewaarde

This page is brought to you by Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference Parks Committee and HPKCC's website, www.hydepark.org, with cooperation from the Nichols Park Advisory
Council. Join the Conference!
Contact our Committee chair.


Nichols gym: schedules
available at the facility.
(door is on the west side)

Park Supervisor Heather Kelly,
312 747-2703. 1355
E. 53rd Street.

Hours: School year:
MWF 1-9, Tu,Th 10:30-9,
Saturday 8-4

Summer: M-F 7:30 am-9 varies, Weekends closed.

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!

2005 4th on 53rd Parade. MR. Shaughnessy HPKCC Garden Fari Committee's float in 4th on 53rd 2005 Parade. MR. Shaughnessy
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.) The event made a little surplus, thanks to more major sponsors including the UC Community Affairs and Hospitals.

Watch for it again in 2007.

L.V. Banks and band across north fountain at August 7 concert. L.V. Banks band (Banks 2nd from left) Aug. 7 2005. Gary Ossewaaarde

L. V. Banks and ensemble perform at the Sunday Afternoon Concert Series.

2005 Sponsors: 4th Ward Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, Carolan Apartments, Century 21 Kennedy Ryan Monigal, Hyde Park Bank, Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, Hyde Park Shopping Center, Marian Realty, State Sen. Kwame Raoul, South East Chicago Commission, Toys Et Cetera, University of Chicago Office of Community Affairs, University of Chicago Hospitals, University National Bank.

Park special events, new and exciting

Memorial trees, bench dedicated by Hyde Park Garden Fair (a sister committee of HPKCC) summer 2008.

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?

Heather Kelly is the Park Supervisor. 312 747-2703.
At South Region, now dispersed but with main hq at Tarkington Park. Region Manager Liz Millan. Region phone remains 312 747-7661. Area Manager A.J. Jackson. Marketing and Communications: Yeama Vincent-Neal. Park Operations Dominick Whitfield. Security east of Ashland Leroy Grant (Kevin Ryan districtwide).

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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.

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 many 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.

Officers re-elected January 2007:

President Stephanie Franklin, Vice President Van Bistrow, Secretary Mark Granfors, Treasurer Mimi Asbury, At-large George Davis.

Nichols Park Advisory Council meets on the 2nd Thursday of
the month, 7 pm, at the Nichols Park Fieldhouse c. 1355 E. 53rd St. (Use door on west side)

Next regular meeting will be July 9, 2009, 7 pm, Nichols Park field house, 1355 E. 53rd St.

Regular members can expect e-mailed minutes, advisories and requests for their views between meetings, generally from Mark Granfors. Call Stephanie or Van if you wish to be put on a snail or e-mail list. 773 955-3622

Monthly meetings discuss park programing, upkeep, repairs and improvements with the park supervisor.

June 7, 28? Sunday, 4 pm. Workday in the Nichols Park and Meadow. Clean up, weed removal, grass and wildflower seeding. 54th at 1322 E. at the meadow. Tools provided. Carol Schneider, 684-2619.

Online Park Program Registration Utilizes PayPal
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

You can view summer program offerings online from mid April. To do this, copy and paste the
web address below into your web browser:
http://programs.chicagoparkdistrict.com/programBrowser/

Newest addition: Mary Milner Memorial Bench and several memorial trees, donated by Hyde Park Garden Fair.

Requests (evolving) for the 2009 budget

  • Increases in programming staff hours to accommodate greatly increased number of enrollees and hours (It looks like there will be some gain)
  • Repairs and enhancements to infrastructure and landscaping (CPD is moving on replacement of sprinkling system, some of the ladscaping)

From the 2007 budget, as reported at the December 14 NPAC meeting:

  • Emphasis in NPAC requests at the budget hearings for 2006 was on lack of maintenance and staff, poor communications. A backlog list of upkeep issues was presented. Suggested was not putting in facilities, such as the desired spray pool, if there is not commitment to keep them up. (This was repeated to park district officials at the December 14 2006 council meeting.)
  • The council was written by Supt. Mitchell that the following will be done or evaluated in Nichols (asked by various sources):
    • New energy efficient lighting fixtures will be installed
    • Replacement trees (will be a walk through)
    • Increased staff at the fieldhouse
    • Sidewalks in the south end will be fixed or redone
    • South fountain work (mostly prune back--need to bring money to change the plantings, changes will be looked into)
    • Various pruning, especially shrubs and hedges
    • Plumbing and water distribution repairs
  • Like parks and regions in general, the budget per park was increased.

Improving Park District Communications

Presentation by Dan Friedrich of Friedrich and Katz for Nichols Park Advisory, followed by discussion and next steps. December 14, 2006

The presentation in power point is available from the author, parts may be put up in this site. This is a summary by Gary Ossewaarde.

Communications is a major context of interactions. The council has observed that the Chicago park District systems are limited, which in turn limes what can be accomplished. The following is a look from the bottom up by those "in the weeds" from a systems analyst point of view, as to how time and money can be saved. In the park district:

  • Too much time is spent in interpersonal communication about work orders.
  • There is too much learning about actions after the fact or not by persons whose input is needed.
  • There is too much paper, and too much physical carrying paper around.
  • Tracking is not kept up to date.
  • Too few who should have access to the tracking.
  • The tracking is not processed centrally and lacks detailed instructions, including input that can prevent mistakes.

The present or previous park district handling of communication is Ad Hoc--people go point to point to people they rely on to get the job done.

The preferred expert approach is the "HUB" approach, in which communicating is stored in central electronic server, like the city has, and is then processed, given input, prioritized, and scheduled and assigned and then tracked, with alerts to those in the chain and stakeholders. Friedrich presented a chart showing many more stakeholders that could turn in problems (including pictures) that could become work orders and in turn find out decision and progress--ranging from contractors, councils, users, volunteer groups, organizations to schools as well as to departments, trades personnel, and park regions and localities.

____________________________

  • Present from the Park District were Adam Schwerner, Natural Resources Director; Liz Millan, South Region Manager; A.J. Jackson, area manager, and Nichols Park staff. Also present was Nichole from Friends of the Parks.
    Stephanie Franklin, Nichols Park president, stressed that Nichols communications with the district are good; the breakdown, especially with work orders is at various stages and between various levels of the park district. The object is to be helpful, to explore time and money savings, and have the district explain how it sees and is addressing communications needs, not to be critical.

    Several council members explored various avenues of communication and work order improvements that do not require significant expenditures of money and high tech installation in the widely-dispersed park system. George Davis explained that the biggest step is change of mind-set in approaching communicating, from the top down. Members said the feedback and status and schedule updates, and ability for wider reportage of problems from councils and citizens were the key matters. For example, Peter Cassel president of Bessie Coleman Park Advisory Council noted that it took most of the year to get even a status and expectation report for what the district said it would do and funders said the thought was going to be done in 2006--and the work was not done. Van Bistrow said the timely reporting to and from "the system" and decision matters was essential. Franklin stressed that surprises to park staff and the council(s) should stop and the council has to be allowed input as well as sufficient information on projects.
    Park district representatives agreed the flow has to be faster and more reliable and pointed out that various methods of streamlining are being implemented and more are under study. For example, reportage all the way to central departments (and not yet to a single hub) and back down, with sign offs of plan and schedule have been rolled out region by region for landscape and trades, including a landscape issues log and consultation whenever a trades project impacts landscape. In addition, Millan committed to public meetings for input, not just information, when major projects such as revisiting playgrounds are contemplated. Proposed and accepted was a future presentation at a similar meeting by the park district "IT" officer and other continuation of the dialogue.
    Among specifics impacting park care discussed were trash removal, intercommunication between trades and landscape, ways to reduce damage from snow removal equipment (a major park district focus), and increase in summer trades and landscape budget and hiring to start to address a common concern at the budget hearings. Schwerner asked for time to work on solutions to moving trash containers from the parks in timely manner.

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

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North end (Murray addition) under construction 2003 A peak over the 53rd St. lilac hedge to Nichols fieldhouse under construction

 

Nichols fieldhouse and old formal garden Nichols fielhouse and old formal garden

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

The council is highly concerned about proposed revised and mandatory guidelines fro advisory councils. Contact Stephanie Franklin about this.

Communication!

Proper maintenance

Doing something about the south fountain areas.

This spring will see need for volunteers for the Meadow and the formal garden, which is still being developed under the Garden Fair and park district or its contractor, should the district go back to having one. Council members believe park district staff is spread too thin to give proper attention to such gardens..

The trash and trash can problems never seem to end

Keeping on top of the watering systems.

Security issues continue; possible solutions are illusive.

The council is pleased with budget increases for the fieldhouse in 2007.

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Budget requests at July 2007 prelimiary budget hearing:

Nichols asked for additional staffing especially sot th kids can compete and for some physical improvements, especially to water systems (sprinklers, buffalo boxes) and implementation of the framework plan especially at the south fountain and its sculpture and a spray pool. General maintenance needs upgrading and the supervisor needs to know when trades are coming.

Hyde Park Garden Fair Committee, with the PD designated contractor and the CPD reconfigured and replanted the Formal Garden at the north fountain. Work is still in progress. Hyde Park Garden Fair Committee did the work in the 9 beds adjacent to the fountain, at its cost, for a dozen years as part of an unwritten arrangement with the district, in order to get the formal gardens in the park extension a dozen years ago. The Garden Fair's recent and as-negotiated proposal, in response to outsourcing, includes assuming responsibility for additional beds closer to the new fieldhouse. A committee of the Council, Garden Fair, and Park District was charged by Alderman Preckwinkle with working out a formalized shared arrangement for design and care of the garden, which she was submitted to the District. The Garden Fair proposal, as worked out with the Park District and the contractor, is that the GF will handle selection, purchase, and planting and the District maintenance. The GF submitted its complete design to the District. This agreement is of general importance for the future of community volunteer groups in park gardens. The GF and the contractor are said to be working well together. Not that the contractor has only a set number of hours it is paid for, so any "heavy-work" add on subtracts from maintenance. Top

See above re: volunteering for the committee and watch for volunteer workdays starting in May (usually Sundays but Saturdays may be added).

Next Meadow workdays: July 10, 26, 4-6 pm. Clean up, weed removal, some planting. 54th at 1322 E. at the meadow. Gloves and Tools provided. Carol Schneider, 684-2619.

U of C Service Center students helped in the replanting-transformation of the Formal Garden Saturday, September 23, 2006. Expected again September 28, 2009.See pics.

 

Volunteers needed: Green, Brown, or No Thumb!

HELP WEED THE NICHOLS PARK MEADOW

From The Conference Reporter, Spring, 2004

The Garden Fair Committee operates under the Conference umbrella; its profits go to beautify the neighborhood through public gardens and to support the Conference.

We have been involved for years in establishing and caring for the gardens at 53rd & Lake Park, 54& Blackstone (Spruce Park), and both the formal garden and the wildflower meadow in Nichols Park. This year the GFC is assuming, in cooperation with the Chicago Park District, more responsibility for the Formal Garden, and we seek local gardeners to join us in planning, shopping for and planting and transplanting large areas this spring and early summer. If interested, call Bam at (773) 288-7054.

In the smaller parks we will be planting plants from the Fair and providing ongoing care through the summer. If you live near and have come to love either, please call: for Spruce Park, Norah at (773) 752-8072; and for 53rd & Lake Park, Lesley at (773) 947-8313.

The wildflower meadow in Nichols is special in many ways. Occasional "meadow burns" keep down weeds and promote the growth of the wild prairies plants (the Park District handles the burn). Volunteers are needed for planting and weeding, and later deadheading. It's a fascinating place to watch the natural growth and succession of blooms and the slow appearance of wildlife. To volunteer, often on Sunday afternoons), call Carol at (773) 684-2619.

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See complete original Garden Fair
proposal with view.

 

Trash overflowing

 

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.

 Trash overflowing-an undending problem Trash overflowing-an undending problem

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Nichols Park Field house and park Programs

Visit the Full Schedules with more about the gym and fieldhouse. Get up to date schedules from the field house or online. Sign up on-line at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Summer registration has passed. www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/content.home.cfm.

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

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

Summer 2009
Basketball ages 13-17. Fri 6-8. June 23-July 31. $2 per session, co-rec, open to all
Bitty Basketball ages 6-7. Mon, Wed 6-7. $25, co-rec, open to all
Day Camp ages 6-12. Mon-Fri 10-4. $195, co-rec, open to all
Extended camp ages 6-12. Mon-Fri 8-6. June 23-July 31. $?, co-rec,open to all.
Hip Hop ages 13-17. Friday 6-8. $20.
Softball ages 10-12. Tu and Th 6-7. June 23-July 31. $10, co-rec, open to all
Sports Camp ages 8-12. Mon-Fri 8-6. Aug 3-7, aug 10-14. $75, co-rec, open to all


Announcements and Activities

Park Work Days: 2nd and 4th Sundays 4 pm meadow.
The volunteers of the Council and Hyde Park Garden Fair save the Park District probably thousands of dollars a year in the Formal Garden and Meadow, especially important in these times of stretched budgets and overstretched staff. See volunteer appeal, above.

The council encourages those interested in Nichols Park to also attend
the CAPS beat meeting (3rd Thursdays, 7 pm, Neighborhood Club) and the
TIF Advisory Council meetings (1st Monday, odd no. months, 7 pm,
Neighborhood Club).

 

Dark Nights/Dark Skies. Star parties. One or two times yearly, star-viewing is held in the park (not under direct sponsorship of the Council).is April 29. To learn more about the Dark Skies/Dark Nights programs see stargazing or contact Clare Butterfield at Center for Neighborhood Technology.
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4th on 53rd Street Parade and Picnic-look for it again in 2009

Every summer, Nichols Park Advisory Council helps sponsor the 4th on 53rd Parade and Picnic.

The parade route is Lake Park, 55th, S. Hyde Park Blvd., and 53rd to Nichols Park at Kenwood.

The park program includes the Children's stage in the fieldhouse (three different shows!), two bands, speeches, kids and lawn games, and two refreshment centers. Lasts until 5 pm. Top