A service of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference Parks Committee, certain area park advisory councils, and the HPKCC website, www.hydepark.org. Contact us Attn: Gary Ossewaarde. Help support our work: Join the Conference. To the Parks Committee page. Issues. Kenwood Park Issues. To Parks Council Schedules page. Meetings (in this page). Councils. Parks Directory. JPAC/Jackson web. Nichols. Point /Latest. Olympics. Col. Expo. Osaka. Nike

In this home page:

• Park Permits
• Meetings including budget, park district and park council mtgs & approaching specials . Watch for upcoming budget hearings. (Regular schedules in Councils), immediate upcoming events, budget. May 7 pruning for everyone at Nichols Park
• 2008 wrap up
• Historic boulevards district?
• Letter to Herald on helping parks
• What neighbors said about their parks at a HPKCC public mtg. on HPK aut. '05 and at Feb. 18, 2009 forum.
• Commentaries incl. from Conference Reporter 2004- Sept. 06
  
• Park News, Lakefront parking meter mess
• some Events and opportunities/appeals, registration news, voluteer workdays
  Jobs and Summer Programs for youth
• District-wide programs
• Capital Budgets
• Budget navigator, hearing schedule
• General announcements, events, happenings and opportunities- (HPKCC/Parks Committee resolution, HPKCC park activities/meetings, park councils and neighbors, Friends of the Parks, green organizations- More in the Green Resources page).
• Quickly around our vibrant parks and councils

Congratulations to Michael Kelly, appointed by Mayor Emanuel and elected by the CPD Board of Commissioners as General Superintendent and CEO.
Robert Pickens, CPD Board of Commissioneres Vice President, retires at the end of 2011. Thanks Bob, for all your work for parks.

How did your park fare in the remap? Nichols, Elm stayed in the 4th, Spruce and Butternut and Harold Washington moved to the 5th, Stout and Coleman and Cornell and Coleman stayed in the 5th.

We are thrilled to announce that Friends of the Parks has named ELM PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL Advisory Council of the Year. The honor will be conferred at FOTP's Annual Recognition Luncheon, February 2 at Chicago Cultural Center GAR Hall (2nd fl. north), 78 E. Washington. Contact FOTP 773 857-2757 concerning registration and payment. Erma Tranter, Pres. of FOTP, said the council was selected for insuring that Elm Park is not taken for a parking lot. "though specil events an voluntgeer pantings, Elm Park became the heart center of a Hyde Park neighborhood." These sentiments were also given by Ald. Will Burns, who cites the PAC as an example of citizenship in action.
res. of FOTP, said the council was selected for insuring that Elm Park is not taken for a parking lot. "though specil events an voluntgeer pantings, Elm Park became the heart center of a Hyde Park neighborhood." These sentiments were also given by Ald. Will Burns, who cites the PAC as an example of citizenship in action.

New CPD registration system and website coming:

The Chicago Park District is launching a new website and mobile site in January 2012. The website will feature a fresh new design along with other enhancements including improved navigation and park search, interactive maps, and a new program registration system that allows patrons to view their registrations (both past and present) via their account. Starting January 3, patrons can register for a fitness center or lap swim membership through the new registration system, and create an online account. Patrons must set up an account before registering for programs or memberships. More information will be available on our website and in the December email newsletter.

PARK DISTRICT ON TV : Chicago @ Play TV
Keep up with the Park District on TV! Chicago @ Play is a monthly program dedicated to what's going on in city parks. Watch episodes on our YouTube channel or tune in to Chicago Municipal TV, channel 49 (depending on your cable provider), twice daily at 6:30 and 10:30 p.m.
In this month's show learn about:
- "Take the Field", an initiative bringing 10 new artificial turf athletic fields to Chicago parks
- Ice Skating
- Volunteers
- Special Recreation Cooking Class

Park Permits

Councils were told that if THEY are doing the event and don't have inflatables, liquor etc. fees are waived and (NEW-- NO INSURANCE NEEDED). But the people at Park Hq and the park supervisor still have to be consulted.

"When is a Special Event Permit needed?

You must apply for a Special Event Permit whenyour event has one or more of the following elements:

(1) 50 or more attendees/participants;

(2) alcohol;

(3) amplified sound;

(4) tents 10'x10' or larger;

(5) RESERVATION OF A SPECIFIC LOCATION;

(6) photography, video or other media recording;

(8) inflatables.

If you are unsure whether or not a Special Event Permit is required, please contact the Department of Park Services at (312) 742-5369.

How do I apply for a Special Event Permit?

The Special Event Permit Application can be obtained by

(1) downloading the form from our website at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com and clicking on "Permits"; or

(2) visiting one of our region offices or administrative office.

You can also contact the Department of Park Services at (312) 742-5369 or (312 747-2001 (TTY).

Meetings

Upcoming meetings/opportunities and news:

February 18, Saturday, 1:30-3;30 pm. Small tool sharpening workshop at Jackson Park fieldhouse, 6401 S. Stony Island.

February 25, Saturday morning. Friends of the Parks-PAC-CPD annual conference. South Shore Cultural Center.

July 2011: Historic Boulevard District National Register status is being petitioned by Chicago Park District to the state and National Trust/National Park Service. This includes the streets surrounding parks that are in the boulvard sytem. (It would affect owners' ability to change street-visible facades and could make various tax freezes and restoration help available.) Read about it in http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/chicago_park_boulevardssystemhistoricdistrict.html. Also search for it in the Herald online, http://www.hpherald.com/hpindex.html.
Note that Jackson Park, the Midway, and Washington Park are already on the National Register; this is intended to add another layer under the key Chicago Boulevard System and to spur investment.

Ashe Park in South Shore is looking for a mural artist. ashepark@yahoo.com (or ashe.park)

How did your park fare in the ward remap? Parks in HPK stayed pretty much as they were (Elm, Nichols, staying in the 4th but Spruce and Harold Washington, Buttenut going into the 5th.

It was announced May 312011 that Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Timothy Mitchell would be leaving in the middle of June. No information was given concerning successor, but Mike Kelly is Interim Superintendent. Also, Commissioner Juan Rangel is leaving to serve on the Public Building Commission. Two new commissioners were nominated by Mayor Emanuel to the board, Juan Salgado and Avis LaVelle. Friends of the Parks issued a strong statement calling for transparency and operational reforms, public input and accountability in the Park District.

BREAKING NEWS: BGA and Fox News Investigations Lead to Major Changes at the Chicago Park District
For over 6 months the Better Government Association and Fox Chicago News have investigated irregularities in personal expenditures and hiring at the Chicago Park District. Their findings included a department head who issued a fitness contract to his live-in girlfriend, hiring of the city’s Fleet Management Director recently fired for demolishing a city car while drunk and abuse of travel expenses by the superintendent and the chief of staff. On May 31st Tim Mitchell resigned as superintendent and will leave the post sometime in June.

Tim Mitchell, during his 7-year tenure as general superintendent, led the Park District to acquire over 1,000 acres of new parkland and created a number of new parks.

However, the troubling management identified by the Better Government Association and Fox Chicago News, open up the broader question of the internal management of one of the nation’s largest park systems. It is clear that much needs to be done to make the Chicago Park District more accountable, efficient, professional and transparent.

As the Board of Commissioners moves ahead, we believe the Chicago Park District and the city would benefit by having a general superintendent with a professional background and experience in parks and recreation. The Chicago Park District should be transformed to a public agency that is transparent and clear in all its financial dealings and decisions, is devoid of political influence and has defined measurements of effectiveness with up-to-date data from both the central administration and local park levels. The Park District should have an independent inspector who regularly completes audits of departments and of individual parks. Finally, the Park District should change direction and embrace community involvement. There has been an unfortunate tension in recent years between park advisory councils and the central administration that has resulted in wasted tax dollars and missed opportunities for funding for additional programs and community partnering.

Change is needed at the Chicago Park District and we look forward to working with the Board of Commissioners and the new General Superintendent to improve the management and operation of Chicago’s parks, playgrounds and lakefront.

What are urban parks most useful for? Findings in an article in Urban Portal online- urban.uchicago.edu. "...parks and sidewalks not only provide opportunities for exercise but also raise the self-efficacy, defined as the confidence to exercise, of elementary school children. Being surrounded by parks, the authors argue, increases childrens’ satisfaction with their neighborhood, which, in turn, makes them feel more comfortable with exercise." But the positive effects depend on specific architectural features, such as having water features. Walking paths are not significant except that cul de sacs encourage more independent activity. Urban kids use their parks more intensively-- as back yards-- than suburban and tend to be more satisfied with equipment even when parks of the latter are better maintained. Maintaining parks are of course expensive. There may be some disadvantage to walking and using parks (especially exercising there) where there is high vehicle emission- and these tend to be low-income areas. Not to be overlooked are the social advantages: given their ability to encourage people to get together, parks increase neighborhood ties and generate the social capital that helps communities thrive. [ed comment- all the more important to keep them free of crime et al including tensions and make them easily and safely accessed.]

Friends of the Parks invites you...

Patrons should contact their local park for more information.

 

Summer Job Opportunities with Chicagp Park District.
Looking for a summer job? The Chicago Park District has a number of seasonal positions available to work with our day campers, in landscape, at our beaches and pools, and more! Visit http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com to access the Chicago Park District's new online application program, to view open positions and to apply online now.

Summer Movies in the Parks- series at Jackson 63rd Beachhouse, Midway, South Shore Cultural Center... and indiviual showings such as at Bixler and Nichols.

 

Workdays and more in Washington Park- see Washington Park page.

Jackson Park volunteer workdays. And more locations see Jackson Park's newer website, http://www.jacksonparkadvisorycouncil.org.

For now the regular schedule will be 2nd Saturday mornings for Bobolink Meadow and 4th Saturday afternoons for Wooded Island. Done for WI but may be one Nov. 26

Wooded Island 4th Saturdays, , 2-5 pm (changed). Jackson Park volunteer workday on WOODED ISLAND. Meets at Darrow Bridge south of MSI Columbia Basin. Volunteers are EXPECTED TO TELL THE SITE STEWARD THEY ARE COMING (You can then also get full informtion about the work, gloves, what to bring etc.) Site steward Jerome Levy weekdays 12-5 at 312 832-1616 or evenings and weekends 773 955-6384 or sjlevy@jeromelevylaw.com. Parking is available east of Darrow Bridge (reach from Lake Shore Drive at 5800 and veer left).

Bobolink Meadow 2nd Saturdays, 9 am-12 pm. BOBOLINK MEADOW Workday. A great day is planned preparing sections for new woodland seedings. Volunteers are EXPECTED TO TELL THE SITE STEWARD THEY ARE COMING (You can then also get full informtion about the work, gloves, what to bring etc.) Meet at the south meadow near the Driving Range road (north of Hayes Drive. There are parking lots). Work is based on a walk through with CPD. Contact parrybell@comcast.net. Visit Bobolink Meadow Volunteer Website.

LaRabida-Promontory Point. . Louise, 773 844-2225.

Watch where and how you park your bike. People who lock their bikes to saplings or trees are killing those trees. The cabmium, or living tissue layer of a tree, lies just beneath the bark. If the bark is bruised or damaged by contact with bike frame, or U lock, or chain this leaves an opening into which a very prevalent fungal disease can enter. This can kill the tree and all to often does.

CPD calls for each park to have 3 cleanup days in spring-summer 2010. Dana Andrews writes.

I would like to draw your attention to a program that allows park advisory councils and other park advocates to take an active role in maintaining their neighborhood parks, playgrounds, beaches, and nature areas. Similar to the Adopt-A-Park program, we are asking park advisory councils to host Clean and Green events at their local parks.

The Clean and Green events will be a concentrated effort during the months of May through August to supplement staff’s efforts to beautify Chicago ’s parks. We are asking that each advisory council select at least 3 days between May 1st and August 1st and host an event on each day. Activities can include gardening, mulching, raking leaves, trash clean-up, or any other activity to help clean, beautify, maintain, and improve the aesthetic appearance of your park. By hosting at least 3 Clean and Green events, you can truly partner with the Chicago Park District and enhance our efforts to beautify your parks.

The Chicago Park District will assist your group to work with the park supervisor and help provide necessary supplies. Additionally, your efforts will be advertised on the Chicago Park District website, along with the dates and times of your event, to help ensure maximum participation. Please contact me with your event information by Tuesday, April 27th.

As advisory council members, you serve as a bridge between the Chicago Park District and the community, and your partnership is crucial to keeping parks clean and safe. As you continue efforts to support your parks, please remain vigilant and report any major security issues to our Security Department at (312) 747-2193 in addition to calling 911.

Also, as discussed at the Park Advocacy Conference, ideas for new programs are welcomed. If you would like to teach a class or have a great idea for a new program at your park, please complete and submit the attached program proposal. Proposals will be submitted to the appropriate department for further review.

Thank you for helping to keep Chicago ’s parks open, active, green, and connected!
[contact hpkcc@aol.com if you want a pdf copy of the form.]

Sincerely,

Dana R. Andrews

Legislative and Community Affairs Liaison
Chicago Park District
541 N. Fairbanks
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Tel: 312-742-4762
Fax: 312-742-6098

Chicago Park District Board Committee meetings are held 2nd Wednesdays but can move. A full and important agenda incl. tangential to Children's Musuem. You must be there early (by 3:40) to sign up to speak.

Next, Wednesday, 4 pm, 451 N. Fairbanks. DEC. 7 FOR BUDGET HEARING, DEC 17 FOR FINAL VOTE.

Committee meetings are held in the morning at 451 North Fairbanks, 8th Floor: Administration 10:00, Program and Recreation 10:05, Capital 10:10.

The full Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners will meet the same day at 4 pm. (Four times a year the Board meets at a park fieldhouse.)

 

For information incl. access and parking, or to... contact Secretary at officeofsecretary@chicagoparkdistrict.com or go to the district website and look under departments for Board of Commissioners, or to receive the agenda via fax call the general number 312 742-PLAY option 9. Re: disabilities access call Compliance Officer, 312 742-4686 or TTY 312 474-2001 at least 48 hours ahead. Look here for agenda items of general and area interest. The People in the Parks section is intended to let you voice your concerns. To speak go to the website, Notice of Meeting on the homepage, and from there to sign up (through the day before). Or go that that day and sign up 2:30 to 3:30 pm.

Chicago Park District
Board of Commissioners Meeting
Wednesday, April 14

10:30 a.m. Committee Meeting
4:00 p.m. Board Meeting

Chicago Park District Administrative Building
541 N. Fairbanks
8th Floor

To view the Board committee agenda, please visit:

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/docs/b15c6c7b-b0a9-487f-97d4-37dee6fac58b_document.pdf

To view the Board agenda, please visit:

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/docs/a797fee9-9430-447b-a6d9-ae0bbf0ea030_document.pdf

The Public Participation portion of the Board's regularly scheduled committee meetings will commence at 10:30 a.m. and at 4:00 p.m. for the Board's regularly scheduled Board meetings. Any individual interested in making a presentation must register with the Office of the Secretary in person between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the day of the Board Committee Meeting; and between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. on the day of the Board meeting.

For additional details on Public Participation rules, please visit:

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/docs/4de06e0f-9a4f-4c9f-8637-0cb607575350_document.pdf




Please contact Jill Heise at 312.857.2757 xt. 17 or heisej@fotp.org with questions or comments.

 

 

The Public Participation portion (People in the Parks) of the Board's regularly scheduled committee meetings will commence at 10:30 a.m. and at 4:00 p.m. for the Board's regularly scheduled Board meetings. Any individual interested in making a presentation must register with the Office of the Secretary in person between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the day of the Board Committee Meeting; and between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the day of the Board meeting.

Registration must be made in person by the individual who will make the presentation.
Representatives may not sign up another speaker via proxy.

The resolution can also be found by going to: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/docs/948e1358-218c-4df8-9d34-7bac0c4faa06_document.pdf

 

· As a reminder, the Public Participation portion of the Board's regularly scheduled committee meetings will commence at 10:30 a.m. and at 4:00 p.m. for the Board's regularly scheduled Board meetings. Any individual interested in making a presentation must register with the Office of the Secretary in person between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the day of the Board Committee Meeting; and between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on the day of the Board meeting.

· Registration must be made in person by the individual who will make the presentation.

· Representatives may not sign up another speaker via proxy.

· Speakers will be limited to speak on one (1) agenda item during one Committee meeting, and cannot speak to any other item from other Committee meetings scheduled for the same date.

· Groups must select a maximum of two (2) representatives from those who have signed up to speak on their behalf. The Board Secretary will schedule group speakers according to topic.

For additional information on the Chicago Park District's rules on public participation, please visit http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/docs/948e1358-218c-4df8-9d34-7bac0c4faa06_document.pdf

Please consult www.fotp.org or join Friends of the Parks Facebook for updates on events, volunteer opportunities, Park Advisory Council events and more! If you are interested in Jill attending your PAC meeting, please contact her at 312.857.2757 xt. 17 or heisej@fotp.org

 

Chicago Park District regional budget hearings- visit the pd website and go to budget

Budget on line c Nov. 8. Final hearing Dec. 7.

 

or visit our Parks Mtgs Schedule page.
the regional budget hearings are scheduled as follows:

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/departments.budget

City Council Committee on Parks and Recreation. Ald. Mary Ann Smith, Chairman

Generally meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 11 am. However, it now seems to bounce around.
City Hall room 201A.

 

_________________________________________

See report on a December 14, 2006 and January 11 meetings led by Nichols Park with park district officers on communications and work order procedure-- in Nichols home page.

 

Upcoming area park advisory council meetings (not all)

• Watch for a new council for Stout Park 5400 block of Greenwood
• Bessie Coleman Park Thurs., Did meet 4th Thursdays. Lately various dates with the area block club. peter.cassel@gmail.com
• Spruce Park 6:30 pm, Nichols fieldhouse 1355 E. 53rd. 2nd Monday or Tuesday, or to meet with Nichols. No longer meets regularly.
• Midway Plaisance. Not meetings. David Guyer, 773 834-4549. None planned immediate future.
• Washington Park Planning Committee 1st Sat., , fieldhouse. 1st Saturdays. 9 am in the Washington Park Fieldhouse. Continues??

• Harold Washington Park, Wed. ?????? , 6:30 pm, place Hyde Park Art Center. David Hoyt is president- 773-684-5448.

• Kenwood Park, Wed. 4th Wed- but tba , 7 pm, Church of St. Paul and the Redeemer, east entry Byllesby Room or chapel, 4945 S. Dorchester. http://web.me.com/kenwoodpark/Site/About_KPAC.html. ChicagoKPAC@gmail.com.
  
  Nichols Park, Thurs. February 9, 7 pm, fieldhouse, 1355 E. 53rd St. Stephanie Franklin, 773 955-3622. Usually 2nd Thursday.
  
• AC-South Shore Cultural Center, February 11, Saturday, this month Executive Committeee and Nom. Cmte 10:30 am, General meeeting 11 am. 2nd Saturdays 7059 South Shore Drive
  garyossewaarde@yahoo.com. The area manager Cordell Hopkins will attend.
  
• Jackson Park, Mon. February 13. Normally 2nd Mons except Tues. after in October, 7:30 pm, 6401 S. Stony Island. 947-9541, 773 288-8343. THIS MONTH AT LARABIDA, 65TH ADN THE LAKE. pRS. OF PLANS FOR OUTPATIENT FAC AND HEALING GARDEN, TOUR OF SAME AND FACILITIES.
  
• Washington Park, Wed. February 15, (3rd Wednesday), 7 pm, fieldhouse, 5531 S. King Dr. 3rd Wednesday. Cecilia Butler.
  
• Harris Recreational Center, Thurs. February 16, (3rd Thurs.), 6 or 6:30 pm, 6200 S. Drexel. Linda Austin, 773 282-7321.
  
• Elm, February 28, Tues., at Nichols Park fieldhouse, 1355 E. 53rd St. Last Tu. pg13@uchicago.edu, Timika Hoffman-Zoller.
  

From government hearings etc.:

Discussion page on proposed sports activity and training dome in Jackson Park.

2008 wrap up: By Gary Ossewaarde, whose views it expresses.

Parks. Our parks continued to serve despite drastic budget cuts, challenges to advisory councils through updated guidelines, competing demands by user groups, and calls for new activities or diversion for "non traditional" (or even non-parks) uses, including the proposed Olympics. The guideline proposals were softened but some issues remain unclear or troublesome to councils. Also troublesome was a proposal at the end of the year to eliminate from the Park District bylaws all reference to or means of ensuring equitable distribution of resources and facilities. (The chapter had come about as part of closure of an anti-discriminatory federal consent decree in the 1980s.)

Kenwood Park. A controversy over an expansion of a baseball field for older youth, thought unsafe by many and executed without consultation of the council and any but one constituency led to an uproar including alleged political interference and perhaps decertification of the council (this was never clear). In order to get back on track, Alderman Preckwinkle convened an open Kenwood Park Usage Committee, chaired by George Rumsey, President of HPKCC. After several months of study, research, and discussion, a unanimously signed compromise set of recommendations on the original and other park issues and needs was reached. This was submitted after the Kenwood Council was reconvened and reorganized and an all-parties slate of officers elected. Troubling questions about outside interference and convening community committees remained to be pondered. It would be seen whether all parties will work together and the park district will make the needed physical changes and repairs.

Jackson Park. Athletes Committed to Education proposed a sports training facility "bubble" for a tennis court area. While it has much support (though not yet Park District approval), members of the advisory council worry about its sustainability, status as a private entity and partially sequestered use, with its own program and staff not under the park district, and aesthetics and other effects on a historic Olmsted park. ACE will come to a meeting with answers to written questions. The Museum of Science and Industry has proposed reorganization and "green solutions" for the southwest lot and property. The council is studying the matter, although it gave MSI a letter supporting the objectives. At the end of the year, the Olympics bid committee moved the hockey venue from the soccer-lagoons area, about which the council had expressed concern, to an as-yet-incompletely defined locale near Hyde Park Academy. A boulder and plaque honoring the role of Frederick Douglass at the Columbian Exposition was approved and funded for installation in 2009 at the site of the Haitian pavilion. The council is adjusting to, and considering new bylaws as a result of, new council guidelines.

Washington Park council and neighborhood continued to ponder Olympic impacts as the bid committee added a large new aquatics center to the stadium proposal. (Each would leave a reduced year-round legacy facility-- a warm up pool and an arena for some combination of sports and cultural events. Washington Park received a new playground. Concerns are expressed over poor conditions of many facilities and grounds.

For Promontory Point, this year's concern remained allowance to swim.

Letter of April 8 2009 to Herald by Gary Ossewaarde on the importance of support for parks.

Parks' health require more participation

At the Feb. 18 community forum held by Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference on Challenging the Next decade, attendees cited -- by a large margin -- the importance of keeping and maintaining our public parks, lakefront, and other greenery. Some of us worry that there is a temptation to consider such public and open spaces as expendable , as land banks or even as nuisances. And it is true that such spaces take a lot of attention and thought and do not always live up to their potential.

Strong, well-attended advisory councils are essential to keeping these critical assets on point and worthy, and to ensure programs and proposed changes reflect the wishes and serve the needs of neighbors and users. Councils sometimes have to mediate among many interests. And they are required to bring experience to the table, acting on behalf of parks with the Park District, agencies and officials.

As an advisory council officer, I appreciate the support and pro-action I have received from Chicago Park District staff and officers and from elected officials, media, residents and Friends of the Parks. In turn, officials and the Park District should -- and do -- ask to hear from the public how much people value and support funding for parks -- which we identify as highly prized, community-building assets.

Jackson and Washington Parks, for example, are key lakefront and regional public and recreational space and nature preserves of national, historic, and multi-community importance. They also serve as bridges between neighborhoods. Now that Olympic venues and other changes are proposed for these parks, we need to show that lots of public eyes are watching and engaging hands are working on behalf of Jackson and Washington parks.

And we need to attend community and council meetings (and other public events) at these parks. For example, 2016 Olympics neighborhood legacies director Arnold Randall will discuss plans for Jackson Park area Monday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Jackson Park field house, 6401 S. Stony Island.

You can help these parks by:

• Attending monthly meetings. Jackson: second Mondays, 7:30 p.m. at the field house, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave; Washington: third Wednesdays, 7 p.m., park field house, 5531 S. King Drive.
  
• Participate in natural areas volunteer workdays. Jackson: second and fourth Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1. p.m.; meet at 10 a.m. at the Darrow Bridge south of the museum. Call Ross Petersen at 773 486-0505 for information and confirmation re weather. Washington: third Saturday mornings and other times. Call Madiem Kawa at 773 203-3418.

Read about your parks at the Chicago Park District website, chicagoparkdistrict.com; the Hyde Park Herald and its online archive, and Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference's Web site, hydepark.org/parks/index.html which also hosts the Jackson Park council Web site.

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Feelings boil over over Lakefront parking machines, charges. Ald. Hairston convenes meeting April 15.

Regular parkers, park volunteers and event goers and presenters are upset; park councils and stewards worry about grass as parkers seek to evade paying. Alderman says promises broken and plans not conveyed. The "no exceptions" policy has caused inconveniences to say the least for park volunteers, birders etc. The two meetings were April 14 Park District Board and April 15 Ward-convened meeting 6:30 at Montgomery Place.

Herald, April 14, 2010.

Ald. Leslie hairston (5th) is declaring war on the Chicago Park District over parking meters being installed in the park's lots along the lakefront despite vocal protest of Hyde Parkers and others. "It's, 'citizens be damned -- we're going to do what we want when we want,'" Hairston said.

Hairston said letters and phone calls are coming in from all over the ward from residents who are shocked and confused about parking meters popping up in park district facilities along the lakefront. "Our residents have not had the opportunity ... to [know] even what the exact fees [are]," Hairston said.

The park district, however, says none of this is news. "The Chicago Park District announced the implementation of a pay-and-display parking system on Chicago's lakefront parkland in November of 2008, as part of the 2009 budget announcement," spokesperson Jessica Maxey-Faulkner wrote in an e-mail to the Herald. "Since the original announcement in November 2008, the plan was widely publicized and received a great deal of press coverage. The Chicago Park District advertised a competitive bid process in search of managers of the pay-and-display parking system."

hairston said she is looking into reigning in the park district and their ability to charge residents for parking. Hairston said she is researching a way "we can take away some of the park district's ability to act unilaterally." Hairston says installing the meters "discourages people from using the parks."

Hyde Parker Richard Merton's letter to Hairston reflects the attitude of many Hyde Parkers about the meters. In his letter, Merton focuses on the parking lot abutting the entranceway to Promontory Point on 55th Street. "...I see no necessity to begin charging for parking in the 55th Street lot," the letter in part reads. "Doing so will only cause inconvenience and expense for people least able to afford it. I urge you to stand up for local residents and stop this."

Maxey-Faulkner sid the scope of the installation would include 4,000 parking spaces along the lakefront -- virtually every park district lakefront parking space. The revenue, Maxey-Faulkner said, wil be use to "support Chicago Park District parks." [At the meeting one question will be how much will do so and how much remains after the upfront funds were used to plug last year's deficit.]

[Picture caption:] "That's going to get out all th fun," says fisherman paul Allen as he watches employees of Horizon Contractors install pads and electrical wiring for new parking pay boxes in the Jackson Park parking lot on the south side of the Museum of Science and Industry lagoon on a recent Friday morning.

Herald says meters must go

The Chicago Park District, to the surprise and alarm of many Hyde Parkers, is in th process of installing parking meters in their lakefront lots. Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) is rightly expressing dismay at this additional fee levied on park goers. We agree with her concern and urge the park district to reconsider this move.

Chicago's parks are a central part of the city's appeal and are unparalleled in their beauty and sweep. we are lucky enough to be surrounded by what is perhaps the centerpiece of this beautiful network: the elegant Jackson Park runs along our lakefront, just south of the majestic Promontory Point; the Midway Plaisance connects those landscapes to the sweeping Washington Park. All of these parks have fine pedigrees, having been designed by some of the world's finest landscape architects. They were designed as a symbol of the city's commitment to providing quality of life to all Chicagoans; no matter how dreary the work a resident performs to put a roof over his or her family and food on their table, everyone can visit the parks and recreate with their loved ones.

For years, the park district has been chipping away at that legacy, adding fees for programs and cutting away services at some park facilities, but it has always been possible to go to the parks and make your own fun for free.

No longer. Perhaps it is the security of a park district salary and position that has blinded officials to the consequences of their actions, but it is certainly the case that, for some families, having to pay to visit a park might cause them to think twice or rule out entirely the possibility fo a family excursion.

We urge the park district to revisit this decision, and we urge Hyde Parkers to let their voices be heard on this subject. Representatives will be in the neighborhood tomorrow.. Hyde Parkers can also drop in on today's Park District Board Meeting...
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What neighbors said about their parks at a HPKCC public discussion on the neighborhood, October 2005

Parks, recreation, beautification
Keep
· Table 1 Save the Point and the Southside lakefront
· Table 2 Parks
· Table 3 Maintain parks and beaches
· Table 4 The Point

Change
· Table 1 Increase early evening activities for teens and adults, make sure they can get there safely
· (? Table 3 Entertainment for older children and adults)

Comments
PARKS (6)
· Permitting loud rock music in Jackson and Washington Park at private and public functions
· Park District should look into re-establishing basketball at Farmers Field and at the east send of 54th Street
· More (crime?) prevention needed in parks
· Need a dog park
· Combating noisy festivities in parks near residential areas
· Landscaping to beautify each block

At the February 18, 2009 forum on Challenging the Next Decade, neighbors said by a large margin that they want to keep their lakefront, parks and open space and greenery.

Top

Park News

• events, kudos, registration
• opportunities, appeals in the parks
• budget, concern over equitable distribution language
• staff changes
• general and specific park news and trends More in Park Issues or pages of individual parks.
• PARKING CHARGES ON LAKEFRONT
  
  
  New president- Dr. Bryan A. Traubert. No longer on the board- Gery Chico, Matos-Real

Events (other than regular council meetings), and key news

Grand opening of the new 41st Street beach house. Saturday, July 17, 10:45 am. Invit. flyer in pdf.

We will announce Key Friends of the Parks and Chicago Park District learning and awards opportunities here soon-- several coming up. http://www.fotp.org. http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.

Madiem Kawa is among about 10 throughout Illinois named by Governor Quinn Environmental Heroes. Madiem is not only the tireless site steward at Washington Park but brings groups of teens from citywide to learn environmental service and living.

 

The Park District has adopted new council standards with select councils. Provisions that were found to be unworkable or unacceptable were in general removed at a special meeting and a joint committee being set up. The version passed is a shorter, more friendly document.

Park program registration.

Park Issues.

Friends of the Parks has moved to 17 N. State Street., Suite 1450 60602. Phone and fax stay the same.

Dr. Brian Traubert has been named by Mayor Daley to serve as President of the Park Board of Commissioners and has been elected president of the board.

Workdays-generaly Burnham 1st Sats 9:30, Jackson 2nd and 4th Sats 10-1 through November, Nichols see Nichols page, Washington us. 3rd Sats.

Parks also have various seasonal coordinated cleanups under the city, park district, Friends of the Parks, Alliance for the Great Lakes and more.
Next is THE GREAT RAKE UP November 7, 2009, 9-noon. Please call the Chicago Park District volunteer coordinator if you are interested in participating at 312.742.4775. South Side parks participating:
Russell Square - 3045 E. 83rd St .
Calumet - 9801 S. Ave. G
WASHINGTON - 5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr .
NICHOLS - 1355 E. 53rd St .
Hamilton - 513 W. 72nd St .
Sherman - 1301 W. 52nd St.

Special Nov. 14- planting dune grass at 63rd St. Beach- register with Becky at 312 742-4072.

 

 

On the budget front: (More in the Budget page.)

View the 2008 budget (over 300 pages): park district site, go to Budget or Departments, budget or Capital Improvements. FINAL BUDGET HEARING THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 4 PM, 541 N. Fairbanks 8th floor.

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/departments.budget

Park fundraising and how it is to be done is of concern. See some tips from a CPD seminar.

Equitable distribution being rewritten in CPD Code

At the end of 2009, it was learned that CPD was updating its Code including that dealing with equitable distribution of resources (Chapter 13) without at that it being known what the replacement language might be. This chapter was put in at conclusion of court monitoring an d remedial spending following a federal consent decree of the 1980s. In late January 2009 alternate drafts were being exchanged between CPD and Friends of the Parks that all hoped would be satisfactory and guarantee this important non-discriminatory practice in a positive way. Top

CPD and FOTP worked out good language. See in Park Issues.

 

Online Registration (Utilizes PayPal). View summer 2009 programs starting April 6. Online registration starts April 20, 9 am ( at some parks is filled almost instantly), in-person registration starts April 25.

Before you register online for one of the 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/

Registration for park programs opens online and later in person at fieldhouses about a month and a half ahead of start of programs in the quarter you are registering for. Fall online registration opens August 11 (Mon), in person August 16 (Sat)- call 773 256-0903. . www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/content.home.cfm. More detail in Parks Directory. Exact change please.

Workdays: Burnham 1st Sats 9:30, Jackson 2nd and 4th Sats 10-1 through November, Nichols sometimes 2nd and 4th Suns 3-5. Washington Oct 20 and 27 9-noon, in se corner of lagoons.

MovMovies and more in the parks (over for 2007)

Midway Plaisance Wednesdays (Midweek @ the Midway)

Others reasonably nearby - Dance Chicago at 63rd St. beachhouse Wed. July 9 6-9 pm- Latin theme. Lessons 6-7.

The U.S. Olympic Committee selected Chicago to host the 2006 Olympics. The International Committee selects in October 2009. For discussion, viewpoints on impacts in our area park, visit the Olympics Page. Supt. Mitchell has agreed to a meeting of a top staff person with HPKCC spokespersons. Washington Park Council's Olympic Committee meets 1st Saturdays, 9 am in the fieldhouse, 5531 S. King.

Alderman Hairston holds a 5th Ward Olympic Task Force meeting 4th Thursdays, 6:30 pm at Jackson Park fieldhouse, 6401 S. Stony Island. Call for next meeting.
Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee contacts:
Chicago 2016
Phone 312 552.2016
Fax 312 861.4801
E-mail info@chicago2016.org
visit www.chicago2016.org
180 N. Stetson, Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60601

2016 Committee Community relations liaison is Gyata Kimmons. 312 861-4852, gkimmons@Chicago2016.org.

We have learned that 63rd Street Beach watershed has been chosen one of two sites in Illinois to be thoroughly tested for sources and impact of pollution through an EPA beach sanitary survey grant applied for by Illinois Department of Public Health. A predictive model is also being tested at the beach. There were no closures this year--conditions? improvements? or just raising the bar?

Good news: The bird counts in and since late summer 2007 are coming back up on Wooded Island according to an in depth article in the Chicago Tribune. And a major summit of all the interested parties, including many scientists from leading institutions resulted in a road path to progress on Wooded Island forest management and new planting. Details in Wooded Island page. But birds are going down everywhere.

This summer the police summer mobile unit has been busy flushing out or ticketing swimmers at the Point. Some wish they would spend the time enforcing the laws in Jackson Park and monitoring permit groups in the parks.

South Shore Cultural Center has been earmarked $2 million for the buildout of programming space. This is from Millennium Park garage (?) revenues. The announcement was made at the gala celebration of the 100th year of first construction (Robeson Theater remaining) of the Country Club, December 9, 2006. The Council is discussing priorities with the District.

Ongoing issues: Dyett pool availability to the public versus renting clubs and camps; the festivals in the north east part of Washington Park.

The Chicago Park District operating budgets, which you can find online at:

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/departments.budget

We are also interested in hearing about any events you may have coming up in the new year at your park- please let us know of them so we can post them on our website. (This website can also forward the document to you- contact us at hpkcc@aol.com.)
Happy Holidays!
Renee

Opportunities:

Positions and programs for youth in parks are now up on line at http://www.chicagokidsstart.org.

January 4, 2008: Public notice:

Hello, this is Madiem Kawa, Washington Park's Nature Area Steward and founder of the new organization the Washington Park Conservancy, our mission to preserve and enhance Washington Park's Green Space and to promote education and cultural activities for the public that will be sustained for generations.

I was wondering if you could make a few advertisements for me:
1) The Washington Park Conservancy is looking for a birder to voluntarily lead regular bird walks starting in early spring 2009. The birder can set their own hours.
2) The WPC is looking for someone to lead tree id walks in WP's Arboretum in 2009.
3) We are also looking for butterfly, dragonfly & bat monitors for 2009.

The Chicago Park District designated Washington Park as a bird and butterfly sanctuary.

Interested persons can contact Madiem Kawa directly on her cell phone @ 773-203-3418 or email sunshine0711@gmail.com.

New process and form for asking for a new playground or playground upgrade

You can inquire at Friends of the Parks--www.fotp.org or email jonesjp@fotp.org. 312 857-2757. Or erik.varela@chicagoparkdistrict.com.

General and specific parks news and some views and appeals

Nancy Hays, President of Jackson Park Advisory Council and a major park and conservation/environmental advocate for decades, passed away in May, 2007. Here is a brief notice from the Hyde Park Herald, June 6, 2007:

 

Notice about Nancy Hays in the June 6, 2007 Hyde Park Herald

Nancy Hays, longtime nature advocate and former Hyde Park Herald photographer, passed away March 31 of unknown causes. She was in her 80s.

Hays served as the president of the Jackson Park Advisory Council. Ross Petersen, JPAC vice president, remembers Hays as versatile in her passions. "She was a remarkable woman," Petersen said. "[she was a] Herald photographer, Hyde Park advocate [and] observer of nature. Her long history [is] of not just park advisory but something of an urban activist."

Hays grew up in Ann Arbor, Mich. and instead of studying architecture at the University of Michigan like her parents wanted, she traveled to the School of Modern Photography in New York City, according to the Winter 2006 issue of the Conference Reporter by the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference. She arrived in Hyde Park as a free-lance photographer in the 1960s.

Hays became involved in the start of the Friends of the Parks in 1975 and dedicated herself to park conservation.

Tibor Heisler, advocate for parks city wide and especially on the South Side, longtime treasurer of Jackson Park Advisory Council and active from their founding in Friends of the Parks and South Shore Cultural Center (which he helped to save from demolition), passed away in June 2007. He will be sorely missed.

Chicago Park District is going all blue-cart for disposables and recycling, and will be opening an area community collection center for do-not-dispose items, in Washington Park starting in August.

Very disturbing to a number of people (clearly not all) --proposal to site the main stadium of the 2016 Olympics in the middle of the ball fields of Washington Park.

Clarity is being sought on the park district's new beach closure policy and providing relevant information to the public when the beach would have been closed (so-called yellow flag) under the old standard. See recent page on beach pollution and swim bans.

Park upkeep is a major concern at several parks, including Nichols.

Washington Park continues to experience frustration with the large festivals that have somehow been "appointed" to this park, particularly its north end. CPS says it has introduced mitigations, will have a consultant monitor this year and make recommendations. The Council wants them moved to the southwest corner.

Not unrelated is the condition of the playing fields in the north half, subject of continuing pleas at budget hearings. Meanwhile, the lagoon restoration in the south is complete and was dedicated as was the arboretum in the northwest quarter. And what are the real plans for the shops south of DuSable/Roundhouse? We suggest either remove, or remove one to open the park to Cottage Grove an use the rest for programs if the shops are going. Still, they are getting a new signature playground and are fundraising.

There is problem getting funding and staff coordination to keep the restored lagoons properly filled with refreshed water.

The Fountain of Time (Laredo Taft) reflecting pool (Howard Van Doren Shaw) in Washington Park has won a major federal grant and even more from the Park District, with other funding from the U of C. A local group is seeking to raise more. Adjacent Allison Davis Garden should be a wonderful addition. Fences should come down and water fill the basin. Dedication Saturday August 18 noon.

Nichols . See Nichols for appeals for help in the Meadow. Nichols succeeded in its work with the District for satisfactory stone pavers and adjustments to formal garden beds. They're still working on repairs to the water system and help with the trash and homeless problems in the park. Workdays- Sept. 2 and 16, 4-6 pm.

Jackson Jackson and Wooded Island. Plans for Wooded Island and other natural area management and creation of a friendly, sustainable habitat are regularly cleared through walk throughs of District, council and stakeholders, in advance. An updated management plan is being developed.

Concerns rise regularly about new facilities proposed for the park, especially private, and how we can encourage use and balance objectives.

The Army Corps has revisited the Nike site, but not yet communicated what needs to be done. The department of Natural Resources is addressing issues with Wooded Island as habitat and problems with landscape, sand wash and design of the slopes at underpasses. A replacement playground has been begun at 67th. Growing Power is working with JPAC and the Longevity Garden group to plan for a long-term youth (and others) nutrition-sustainable food-environmental training program in Jackson Park.

Midway Plaisance. The South Winter Garden will be finished in spring 2009. Many panels are being re greened and are expected to be open soon. Summer 2009 will see a new bridge-like gateway Ellis Avenue. This is part of creation of a new mainstreet-spine from the new dorm and future seminary at 61st and Ellis all the way to 55th St. gateway. The street-- and sidewalk even more-- will start to bow out at 60th and 59th, and especially between north and south Midway Plaisance, including with landscaping between streets and walks and new lighting. There will be a thin-picket like fence on either side and a shimmery white material stretching down toward the hollowed out panels to give the illusion of bridge from a distance and illusion of a canal in the Midway from the bridge. This will be funded entirely by the University. Similar treatment for Woodlawn and Dorchester are approved but not yet funded.

Spruce planned and worked with the district to handle trash and undesirable behaviors. Broken up concrete presents safety problems. There is a new children's garden and a framework plan. But the council has died for now.

Harold Washington continues punch list repairs with the Park District and framework planning. Chess benches were recently installed in the sw corner, the tennis courts were redone. The basin has been restored with a major sculpture. This council is currently in abeyance.

The biggest unresolved issue is how the Point will be rebuilt. Can and will a "preservation" approach be fairly considered? There is good hope under a new planning process.

Plans and public input were completed for Burnham Park shoreline and park redevelopment. But work on the key Morgan plan has not started.

Friends of the parks supports call for restoration of Urban Parks federal funds to help our parks.

Dear Park Activists and Volunteers -

Action Alert: Fund UPARR -- Restore our Nation's Urban Parks

Take Action Today: Friends of the Parks asks for your support and help
to revitalize America's urban parks and recreation resources. Our
Chicago Park District administrators have been doing their part in
meeting with our Senators, but you can help as well by contacting your
U.S. Senators, Richard Durbin and Barack Obama today and ask them to sign
the Levin-Coleman letter requesting $30 million in funding for the Urban
Park and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR). Click here to view the
Levin-Coleman letter:

<http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=5481>

Background: America's urban parks, local pools, basketball courts,
softball fields, and recreation centers provide close-to-home
recreational opportunities for the vast majority of our citizens.
Moreover, urban parks play key roles in achieving important national
goals for improving public health, increasing daily physical activity,
reconnecting children with nature, and providing safe, healthy
alternatives to at-risk youth in economically distressed areas.

As urban parks and recreation facilities have become increasingly
important to local efforts to achieve national goals for health, youth,
and the environment, the most direct source of federal support for them
has dried up. The Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR),
which Congress established in 1978 to provide matching grants to
distressed cities and metropolitan counties to rehabilitate and improve
deteriorating park and recreation infrastructure, has not received any
funds for the past five years.

For the past 30 years, Congress has provided over $270 million to match
local funds for 1,529 projects in 43 states. With UPARR grants serving
as a catalyst, the Chicago Park District renovated field houses and
rebuilt deteriorating urban parks, and made parks accessible to the
disabled. With no funding for the past five years, urban park
infrastructure continues to age and to crumble, facilities are being
closed, and innovation has ground to a halt.

Chicago has received a total of $13,473,300 since fiscal year 2002 from
UPARR to restore field houses, parks and playgrounds.

Funding UPARR is a smart investment in the future of urban communities
and America. The costs of chronic diseases such as obesity and type II
diabetes run into hundreds of billions of dollars annually and doctors
sound the alarm about millions of children who have little or no daily
exercise. It makes good sense for the federal government to match local
funds to invest in recreational resources that provide accessible
opportunities to citizens of all ages because they are close to home,
safe, and affordable. Investing $30 million to fund dozens of local
projects that would reinvigorate UPARR will produce returns many times
greater than these modest investments for decades into the future.

Please contact Senators Obama and Durbin today and urge them to support
a smart investment in urban parks and recreation by signing the
Levin-Coleman letter requesting $30 million in fiscal year 2008 Interior
Appropriations bill for the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program.

What to do: Please call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, and
ask to be connected to your Senator's office. Once connected, ask for
the staff that handles Interior Appropriations. Urge your Senator to
sign-on to the Levin-Coleman Dear Colleague letter requesting $30
million for the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program.
Additionally, use the information below while making the local
connection and feel free to modify and send this letter as a supplement
to your phone call. To view grants that your city has received go to
http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/uprr/funded_city.html
<http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/uprr/funded_city.html> or to view the
list of cities and counties eligible for UPARR grants go to
http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/uprr/eligibility.html
<http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/uprr/eligibility.html> .

--------------------------------

Sample email or letter to U.S. Senator:

I am writing to request that you sign the Levin-Coleman letter
requesting $30 million for the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery
Program (UPARR). A small investment in urban parks and recreation
facilities today directly supports our nation's efforts to improve the
health and wellness of all Americans.

America's urban parks, local pools, basketball courts, softball fields,
and recreation centers provide close-to-home recreational opportunities
for the vast majority of our citizens. Moreover, they play key roles in
achieving important national goals, including improving public health,
increasing daily physical activity, reconnecting children with nature,
and giving constructive alternatives to at-risk youth. !!!!SHARE LOCAL
EXAMPLE(S) / PERSONAL COMMENTS!!!!!

As urban parks and recreation facilities have become essential to local
efforts to achieve national goals, the most direct federal support for
them has dried up. Funding has been eliminated for the Urban Parks and
Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR), which Congress established to
provide matching grants to distressed cities and metropolitan counties
to rehabilitate and improve deteriorating park and recreation
infrastructure. Over the past 30 years, Congress provided $270 million
for more than 1,500 projects in 43 states. With UPARR grants, cities
made recreation centers safe, restored parks, and developed innovative
methods to leverage existing resources to serve larger populations and
to meet new demands. With no funding for the past five years,
infrastructure is crumbling, some facilities are being closed, and
innovation has ground to a halt.

Funding UPARR once again is a smart investment in the future of urban
communities and America. As the costs of chronic diseases, such as
obesity and type II diabetes, run into the hundreds of billions of
dollars annually and doctors sound the alarm about millions of children
who get little or no daily exercise, it makes good sense to invest in
recreational opportunities that are accessible to citizens of all ages
because they are close by, safe, and affordable. Providing $30 million
in fiscal year 2008 to reinvigorate UPARR will produce returns many
times greater in the future.

Thank you for supporting Illinois' urban parks. I look forward to
hearing from you that you will support funding for UPARR in the fiscal
year 2008 Interior Appropriations bill.

Sincerely Renee Chester, FOTP

 

_______________________________

District-wide programming see PD website.

• Nature Oasis programs. See Green page.
• Watch the park district website for program registration starts Winter on view Nov. 17, Online reg. starts Mon. Dec 1, in person Sat. Dec. 6, Online and an In-person. ....Music, Park Kids Afterschool, football, basketball, early childhood, wood shop, weaving.... www.chicagoparkdistrict.com, 312 742-PLAY.
• Get the full scoop on programs and happenings in the parks--at any fieldhouse or library: individual parks quarterly Chicago Park District brochures and Chicago Parks @ Play (resources to make the most of parks and park facilities). None of these can be complete or timely, so talk to staff!
• See also Parks Directory (left) and Recreation/Fitness Resources.

• Page Index

Council, Conference, Friends of the Parks, and Green News, Announcements and Bulletins

The Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference Board has these standing parks resolutions:

1. Concerns and objections to deep budget cuts and their impacts on children's programming, staffing, and parks upkeep. Committee currently satisfied with program budgeting but concerned about thin program staffing and maintenance/landscaping budgeting.
2. Support for the work and plan of the Promontory Point Task Force and now process under Sen. Obama (thrice reaffirmed and continuing).
3. General support for a class A-1 fieldhouse north of HPK.
4. Support for the efforts of its Nichols Park Council affiliate to achieve a balanced approach to the park's entry face at 53rd Street and the fit of the Murray gym addition to the existing gardens, also general support for continuing role of the Garden Fair in planning and planting the formal garden. Satisfied so far but garden and Meadow support remain shaky.
   December, 2004: Reiterates support for Nichols Park Council's pursuit of a design including space for public activities in the plaza, good passage and sight lines, and for better procedures facilitating strong, predominant public/neighbor's input into decisions via their voice the councils, noting councils are the best voice for their parks. Notes that NPAC is an affiliate committee of the Conference.
5. Recommendation that Dept. of Environment et al move beyond warnings to learning causes and applying solutions to beach pollution and swimming bans.
6. Supported Harold Washington Council in is opposition to placing a parking lot in Harold Washington Park (successfully).
7. Expressed process and practical concerns and suggestions to Mayor, Olympic Committee and Park District.

See HPKCC recent letters and resolutions on the parks and councils.

Park District Community Outreach Manager passes along this website for seeking grants for partnering in park improvement: www.fdncenter.org. And don't forget that many organizations offer grants for improvements in parks and open spaces (find links in Other Links or Green page): Parkways Foundation (CPD), Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Wilderness, Friends of the Parks, City of Chicago Greencorps, Lake Michigan Federation, Openlands Project.

Youth Net Grants for kids training this summer--orgs. including parks are urged by Robert Steele to apply. Kids should also sign up. To find out more contact jkerr@alternativeyouth.org. http://www.cityofchicago.org/cys. Try also googling in ChicagoKidsStart. Programs provide 10-12 year olds with activities and exposure to rec. and envir. careers, 13-15 y-os activities and vocational choices, 16-18 y-os paying internships leading to consideration for park district and city positions.

Greencorps Chicago has yearly assist programs, including, one-time hardscaping. Their site, www.greennetchicago.org, is a good source for information not only on grants but much new thinking-in-practice on many ecological and environmental living fronts. Watch for t he next Great Perennial Divide and Clean and Green events (Check the rules.) Bulb Distribution April 1.
Green and Clean May 14.

Burnham Nature Sanctuary has monthly cleanups first Saturdays contact George Davis.

Nichols Park Meadow workdays. various Sundays3-5 pm. Meet at the Meadow, west side of park west of Kenwood, between 53rd and 54th. 773 955-3622.

Friends of the Parks has revised its Guide for Parks Advisory Councils. Contact John Paul Jones at 312 857-2757 x 15.

FOTP programs:

Friends of the Parks Seed Grants are given annually to advisory councils and Adopt-a-Park groups. Up to $1,000. Go to www.fotp.org and download or call Renee Chester, 312 857-2757 x 15. Applications due mid February each year; announcement in March. Note, not limited to organized councils. For grant application for Friends of the Parks Seed Grant contact sullivanme@FOTP.ORG.
Complete and return the form by February 22, 2005 or you can
contact Mary Eileen Sullivan at the email address below. Get ready now for 2007.

Dear Park Advocate, Happy New Year!

Friends of the Parks is pleased to request proposals for the 2006 Seed Grant Awards. This is the fifth year we will be awarding small grants to active advisory councils and adopt-a-park groups. To facilitate your creative energy and inspiration as you come up with a project to best suit your park, talk with your fellow advisory council members and your park supervisor. This last year we had a number of exiting projects which were true collaborations between the advisory councils and the park staff. If you'd like to see our past awardees please visit www.fotp.org.

Seed Grants will be distributed at our VIP Awards Reception, on Sunday March 12th our location has yet to be determined. At this event we recognize the hard work of both park and forest preserve volunteers and park and forest preserve employees who make a difference in their community. Please take a moment to nominate someone from your community who helped improve your park.

Have a happy winter season - and we look forward to hearing about your individual nominations and your park plans in February.

Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Chicago (Children's Memorial Hospital) will inspect parks, especially playgrounds. Works with Park District and Friends of the Parks including with workshops, Community Build program.

Friends of the Parks Community Service and Adopt-a-Park programs: contact Director of Volunteers Eileen Sullivan, 312 857-2757 x 13.

Lake Michigan Federation announces grants for aquatic habitat restoration/enhancement. Several times a year. Contact: Joel Brammeier - 312 939-0838 x4 or jbrammeier@lakemichigan.org. Deadline is March 31. Applications are available online at www.glhabitat.org/grants.html

3rd week in April Earth Day. Lake Michigan Federation Adopt-a-Beach cleanup and problem id. Training at LMF office March 16, April 12 5 pm. www.lakemichigan.org/adopt/default.asp. adoptabeach@lakemichigan.org.

The Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund (GLAHNF) offers grants of up to $3,500 twice per year for community-based habitat protection efforts. Types of projects that would be considered for funding include, but are not limited to: land use and watershed advocacy and planning; watchdogging of regulation implementation, reduction of polluted runoff, rehabilitation of ponds, lagoons, shorelines, and other wetland areas for fish and migratory bird habitat, and non-partisan voter education and citizen involvement initiatives. Also, this is the second year of a two-year wetlands theme for GLAHNF, so a portion of the available funds will be dedicated specifically to wetland projects.

Some key project criteria for all GLAHNF funding: grants are for smaller organizations, with budgets of about $250,000 or less; projects should be action and advocacy based (education alone will not likely be eligible); funds cannot be used for construction and/or planting costs, but can be used for other aspects of restoration efforts; projects should be in the Lake Michigan drainage basin, or a case must be made that the project will provide benefits to habitats/species inside the basin.

Page Index (top of page)

Around the Parks, Councils, and HPKCC's Parks Committee

Burnham Park History (in City's Lake Shore Drive site) (Burnham issues--see in Other Parks and Shoreline.) Our Timeline. Framework Plan--confined to the dustbin by Olympics and politics?

Visit the Promontory Point site for the latest on the revetment controversy very important in the community, and bulletins. Start with latest. Point home. Save the Point website. Promontory Point Park. Senator Obama has initiated a preservation-based resolution process with expert third party review by preservation experts of the U.S. Corps of Engineers. But the design process can't start without iffy funding.

Bessie Coleman Park at 54th and Drexel is the latest to have a council, dedicated to taking back the park and having (fundraising for) an attractive park--mostly successful. . Contact Peter Cassel at peter.cassel@gmail.com.

Kenwood Park Council is reconstituting - and dealing with conflicts from expansion of a field as well as ongoing upkeep and drainage issues. Programming is a strong as the fieldhouse allows.

Explore the Burnham Natural Sanct. (north of 47th Street parking lot east of the Metra). Local park advocate George Davis, HPKCC board and parks committee member, is volunteer site steward. He has much experience with Open Lands.

Be sure to visit visit the Jackson Park website hosted here!

Time Transfixed: Lorado Taft's restored Fountain of Time is in view again. After a two-year renovation funded by the Art Institute of Chicago-administered Ferguson Fund and the Chicago Park District, Taft's monument in Washington Park just west of Midway Plaisance and Cottage Grove Ave. (5900 South) is again open for viewing. Learn more in our Washington Park pages and Fountain and Basin and Preservation Beat.

Don't miss our Midway site, including new vision for a children's learning garden, which will be a first in our parks, and the midweek@themidway summer programming. Also, visit the virtual tour of the Midway and its history!

Nichols Park page has the latest on north end redesign and the work and issues of this active council. The new gym is open and dedicated. So is Cosmo Campoli's Bird of Peace. Meadow and Formal Garden work, 4th on 53rd, Concerts.

See South Shore CC for events schedule at and latest plans for the Cultural Center!!

Landmarked status: The Republic (Golden Lady) and 63rd Bathing Pavilion in Jackson Park, South Shore Cultural Center.

For notes on the state of parks as assets in Hyde Park and Kenwood, and recent and ongoing concerns of park advocates and users: continue at our Park Issues page.

An album of the Hyde Park and Kenwood parks can be viewed on the site of HPKCC member Mary Rose Shaughnessy. If you would like your album linked here or wish to send us pictures to post, contact hpkcc@aol.com. See also the Photo Galleries listed at the top of the page. We are especially looking for pictures documenting changes, improvements, unaddressed problems, events or group /sports activities.

Page Index