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. JPAC/Jackson web. Nichols. Point /Latest. Olympics. Col.Expo. Osaka. Nike |
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To
page index. The Park District previewed new council standards with select councils. Provisions were found by councils to be unworkable or unacceptable. The district is starting over with a committee that includes councils, but appears set upon certain regulated procedures. Visit the Park Issues Page, including for coverage, council and HPKCC comments, orig. draft. CPD Park Council standards are on line from Friends of the Parks. Jobs and Summer Programs for kids and others. See also AfterSchool, Recreation
For these visit Chicago Park District: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Or 312 742-PLAY: See your park from above with Google Earth. Park
District area preliminary budget hearings come in the summer- SEE WHAT
PARK COUNCILS, USERS ASKED IN 2007. In budget
page. To
the virtual
links at left to several parks, structural, activities, and issues pages
add: South Side Nature Oasis Programs as well as park volunteer opportunities are in the Green page. Our parks range from vest pocket to neighborhood parks (some with regional attractions) to the big regional parks that surround us on three sides. A few have active councils. Their schedules are found in "Advisory Councils." The Conference provides support services for and has special ties to the councils for Nichols Park (an HPKCC affiliate) and Jackson Park. HPKCC is proud to manage and maintain JPAC's website, here, as "Jackson Park" top of left bar. For Permits, go to the park district website- search special events permits or permits (latter will bring you to all, including baseball fields. ) The folks at the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference welcome your comments and help. Remember our e-mail address is hpkcc@aol.com. Parks webmaster: Gary Ossewaarde. Some Photo Galleries55th
Street Berm and some garden and greening styles in Hyde Park
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The District apparently intends to continue finishing the Latin School soccer field the applelate court ruled against. Groups from Lincoln park will there opposing this.
Please review the press release on the City's Intergovernmental "Safe Summer"
Program for 2008. The city has allocated $1.5 million for summer programs and
employment for youth. Friends of the Parks (FOTP) support the Mayor's call for
a Safe Summer and applaud his effort to coordinate public resources in Chicago.
Local PAC's can join this effort by increasing your promotion of park programs
and the availability of summer jobs. Below you will find the public agencies
that are working alongside Chicago Park District to provide eduational, recreational
and employment opportunities.
Remember to take a serious look at your summer programs and make room for new
park users. Don't leave your park supervisor and/or area managers alone in the
promotion of your summer park programs or the selection of teens for employment.
Recruit! Recruit!
John Paul Jones
Director, Neighborhood Parks and Community Relations
Friends of the Parks
"Chicago's Best Friend"
17 North State, Suite 1450
Chicago, Il. 60602
(312) 857-2757 ext. 15
(312) 857-0656 (fax)
www.fotp.org
Mayor Daley Announces City's "Safe Summer" Programs for 2008
A complete listing of "Safe Summer" opportunities at bottom this announcement
Openings Remain in Educational, Recreational, Some Jobs
Programs;
Mayor Urges Young People to Apply
The city and its partners will provide educational, recreational and employment
opportunities for about 280,000 young people to keep them safe and constructively
occupied during the summer, Mayor Richard M. Daley said today.
"We all want our young people to stay safe from violence, stay away from a life of violence and achieve their full potential in life," Daley said in a news conference held at Humboldt Park Field House, 1400 N. Sacramento Av.
"The most important things we can do to help are to give them the best education possible and give them plenty of positive activities after school and in the summer months," he said.
The Mayor said that providing summer activities and employment is more important this summer than ever before because of the violence against young people that has outraged the city.
"Keeping our children safe is Chicago’s challenge and our shared responsibility. Every community and religious group, every business and every parent must also keep doing their part and provide the safe havens and positive alternatives for our young people," he said.
Overall, the city has increased the number of young people to be served by these programs to about 280,000 this summer, an increase of about 15,000 from last summer.
"And I want to make this important point to every Chicagoan: we have thousands of openings in these summer programs right now," the Mayor said.
"I’m asking every resident of the city to help fill these empty slots. Talk to your children. Talk to your friends. Talk to your church and community groups. Find out what’s available and help register young people in these programs," he said.
Daley was joined by heads of City departments and sister agencies who described the range of summer programs that provide education, recreation and jobs for Chicago’s youth.
The Mayor highlighted programs being offered for the first time this year. They include:
"Freshman
Connection," a Chicago Public Schools program which will help 18,500 8th
graders make the transition to high school. The program features academic instruction
in the morning and recreation activities in the afternoon at no cost to the
students. It is held at the students’ destination high school, so it will
give them a chance to become familiar with their new school and their new classmates.
This program also includes 850 paid youth leadership positions.
CPS will offer a new Bilingual Bridge Program for English Language Learners
in grades 3, 6 and 8.
The Department of Children and Youth Services and the Chicago Housing Authority
will create a School and Career Readiness Program that will serve 150 young
people under 15.
CYS and City Colleges will partner to create the Manufacturing Readiness Program
that will provide both classroom work and 50 summer jobs in the manufacturing
industry.
CYS and the Mikva Challenge will partner to create two youth councils that are
focused on public policy. One will focus on safety and violence, the other on
health.
CYS, CAPS and Clear Channel Radio will organize "Chicago Voices Against
Violence."
In addition, the Park District will serve more than 90,000 young people in programs
this summer and will allocate an additional $500,000 to expand the NeighborSports
program to serve a total of 5,500 teenagers – 1,500 more than last summer.
For the first time, weekend NeighborSports will be offered until 10 p.m. at 20 sites in high crime neighborhoods. And the Park District also will keep 17 swimming pools open until 9 p.m.
After School Matters will offer 11,500 summer opportunities in its arts, science,
sports, technology and communications programs, including new arts-based programs
in three neighborhood parks and at Millennium Park -- up from 7,500 last summer.
About 6,100 of these After School Matters opportunities will be paid apprenticeships or internships, compared with about 3,100 last summer.
More than 45,000 young people are expected to take part in the Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, and more than 3,700 to take part in programs sponsored by the Chicago Housing Authority.
"When a young person reaches a certain age, though, a summer job becomes important. It puts money in his or her pocket and offers them an alternative to gangs, guns and drugs," Daley said.
Three weeks ago, Daley announced the city will spend an additional $1.5 million dollars this year for the Department of Children and Youth Services to provide 1,000 more summer employment opportunities for young people. The money will support partnerships with the Schools, the Park District, After School Matters and leading corporations.
"Before those jobs were added, we had already planned to place about 18,000 young people in public and private sector jobs through our Summer Jobs Program. And we’ve created several new jobs programs," Daley said.
Those new programs include:
The CTA will partner with CYS to hire 200 young people
to work as part of their rail car appearance program.
CYS will partner with the CHA to provide job readiness training to 100 CHA teens.
The Police Department and CYS will create summer jobs for youth that have been
part of the Juvenile Intervention Support Center.
CYS will partner with CleanSlate Chicago to provide training and summer jobs
beautifying our neighborhoods for 28 young people.
And the city will continue its successful "Englewood Initiative" program
that will provide more than 100 young people in that community with summer jobs,
Daley said.
"But government can't do this alone. Most jobs are in the private sector and today I want to challenge our business leaders to once again to strengthen their efforts to provide jobs for young people," Daley said. "They can do this by supporting OUR program and by hiring our young people themselves. We need everyone’s help to keep our kids occupied in a positive way this summer."
A complete listing of "Safe Summer" opportunities
New
discussion page on proposed sports activity and training dome in Jackson
Park.
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
HPKCC's
letter and re-reply of winter, 2008 to Chicago Park District on part of the
Kenwood issues is in the Park Issues Page of this
website.
Here is the report published in the HPKCC Conference Reporter March
2008.
View from the Parks: Kenwood Park and Kenwood Council Dispute Affects
Community
by Gary Ossewaarde
A dispute over expansion of one of the baseball diamonds in Kenwood Community Park (Farmers Field, at 50th and Dorchester) ended in challenges to the validity of the advisory council. The HPKCC parks committee (chair, Gary Ossewaarde) was asked to look into the matter by council leaders, one of whom answered questions from the Conference board in February.
While the Conference has not taken a position on the expansion of t his diamond for league play by 11-13-year olds, we wrote Park District General Superintendent Timothy Mitchell of our concern about status of the council, allegedly over lost registration paperwork, and the likely role of an absence of consistent, objective and transparent procedures and environment for establishment, accountability, listening to or dissolution of park advisory councils.
We in fact found differences even in Hyde Park that could not be accounted for by park sizes, needs, or offerings. And we found that when this particular dispute led to deadlock between two powerful sets of park neighbors and users that could not be resolved with satisfaction to both parties by the council with help from the local alderman, it was all too easy for some party to inquire into the council's standing via filed paperwork, which was then not found.
"As is often the case," we wrote the Superintendent, "the informal and inconsistent operating practices of the Park District were not a problem until a dispute erupted. This is exactly the time when a transparent and empowered Advisory Council should be available to help resolve the issue." We concluded that consistent, objective, and transparent policy "is necessary for us to be confident that the seven Park Advisory Councils currently in Hyde Park and South Kenwood are properly and with confidence" able to do their jobs.
The Park District was indeed aware of such problems and preparing a new set of guidelines at the time, subsequently submitted to select councils for review. Widespread reaction was that the document needs revision lest it seriously damage local oversight and participation in our parks.
Meanwhile, the Kenwood council has continued to consult with the District and local officials and to plan for clean up days, fundraising for park programs, and new elections. The Conference believes park councils should be forums for conflict resolution, not bodies to be controlled.
Our Parks Committee notes these among issues and possible solution highlighted by the Kenwood Park disputes:
1) Too often new, or changes to existing, facilities desired by user groups or park officials are executed with insufficient or no advanced vetting or negotiation with park councils, neighbors, and the wider community. Helpful is insistence by public officials that fait accompli and lack of public input will not stand.
2) Demands on park space are constantly growing throughout the city. First, parks should have framework plans that are living governing documents. Second, there should be careful broad-input review of proposed uses that sequester parks in whole or in part. Planning needs to keep in mind that parks are first and foremost public, open, general use lands. Also, every effort should be made to accommodate, with safety, competing uses (and near neighbors) within parks and among parks of various sizes.
On the Olympics...
The Conference has received virtually no response on requests for information on Olympic planning and impact.
In general, not much information on plans to accommodate the Olympics and provide lasting facility legacies has come forth from the Chicago 2016 Committee, and little local planning is being done. Mayor Daley did announce a program of transit and related upgrades apart from Olympic considerations and generally thought needed in any case--and requiring state and federal help. Foundations have set up some small funds to study, with communities, impacts and legacies. But most commentators (and a recent forum at the University on Displacement) point to little local positive economic or development results from recent Olympics. They also see little evidence of detailed and collaborative planning underway in Chicago, but much evidence that some parks and neighborhoods will be unduly affected and left ill-prepared for the Games and their aftermath.
________________________
From December 2007 Conference Reporter
View from the Parks: Gains, Pains and Olympic Sweat
by Gary Ossewaarde
Out parks saw completion this year of some long-awaited projects:
Frustrations continued with a growing backlog of deferred parks maintenance and regular upkeep, staff that is not increased enough and efficiently deployed, communications/IT that hasn't caught up, and inadequate funding compounded by a high debt load. Superintendent Mitchell and staff spend much time squeezing funds from Springfield and Washington. Yes, our representatives there and in City Council have found scarce funds for projects in our parks. But one wonders how Chicago proposes to undertake an Olympics with such poor investment in parks, transit and infrastructure.
The Conference submitted to the Mayor, the Olympic Bid Committee, and the Park District a full catalogue of needs to be studied and addressed with public input, if the city is to undertake and the citizens to support an Olympics in 2016--and even if Chicago is not selected. Our delegation discussed these with Park District staff but have yet to receive a reply. And no general community meeting for Hyde Park concerns is in sight.
The 2016 Committee has held a well-attended first stage meeting with the Washington Park community, has held discussions with several stakeholder organizations and councils, and has at least four members from the mid South Side.
The Committee, accompanied by experienced Olympic planners, presented and answered questions with the Jackson Park Advisory Council (JPAC) September 10 on the the Olympic field hockey facility. Her is a brief summary, based on JPAC's newsletter.:
Presenters stressed their intent to keep impacts very temporary and very localized and to leave a lasting legacy improvement, principally two artificial surface, fully accessible soccer fields. Otherwise the park would be returned to present state and uses. They promised continuing engagement in an open, fair, collaborative process. Q & A:
HPKCC Meets with Chicago Park District about the Olympics
As per agreement of the Parks Committee, a delegation met with the Chicago Park District Department of External Affairs on August 21, 2007, to discuss Conference questions and concerns about the 2016 Olympics. Attending for the Conference were george Rumsey, president, and Gary Ossewaarde, Parks chair. Attending for the CPD was Janis Taylor.
Ms. Taylor was given copies of the original February 25, 2007 letter with document of questions and queries sent to Mayor Daley, Chicago 2016, and Parks Superintendent and CEO Timothy Mitchell; a shortened version on parks impacts; and two features from the August 2007 Conference Reporter, "Party in the Parks" and "Olympic Process and Outcome Questioned by HPKCC Committee, Neighborhood."
George Rumsey discussed neighborhood and Conference concerns about continuing lack of community conversation an involvement on developing Olympic plans, and strong fears and opposition form many in the community. He noted that opinion ranges from strong support to outright opposition as expressed by Hyde Park Historical Society and Jackson Park Advisory Council. Reasons for opposition range, he said, from very practical matters such as fire truck access to a feeling that giving Washington and Jackson Parks to the Olympics violated public trust and purpose of parks and took what belongs tot eh citizens. Detailed concerns cover what will happen before, during, and after the Olympics. He noted that the Conference has not yet taken a position on supporting the Olympics.
Rumsey cited examples of Hyde Parkers backing up their strong opinions and said residents need to be engaged and have their concerns addressed as early as possible, whether or not details are available, if difficulties are to be avoided. The International Committee, he noted, insists on strong local support when choosing an Olympic site. Rumsey concluded by proposing community advisory task forces.
Ms. Taylor, who during her many years at the Park District has dealt with implementing projects and proposals in parks and volunteer programs, agreed to bring our message to her superiors, to ask when local meetings will start and answers be available, and said that the rule is to meet with communities to vet projects and proposals.
From the HPKCC Conference Reporter, September 2006, Winter 2006, Summer and Spring 2005: Around the Parks, Winter 2004 (Addressing problems of landscape, natural areas - see in Park Issues.)
Note: We work with several long established and new park advisory councils and broader hands-on and advocacy park groups and expect to increase our involvement.
View from the Parks November 2007. By Gary Ossewaarde
Gains, Pains, and Olympic sweat
Our parks saw completion this year of some long-awaited projects:
· Restoration of Laredo Taft’s Fountain of Time and reflecting
basin (west of the Midway and Cottage Grove. Funds are still being assembled
for lighting and security. This work showed exemplary collaboration between
federal, state, local, and private entities and elected officials and individuals
and of ingenuity in locating now-rare materials and in engineering.
· Restoration of the Model Yacht Basin in Harold Washington Park with
Virginio Ferrari’s sculptural construction Ecstasy (E. Hyde Park Blvd.
and Lake Shore Drive). This project, like the previous, involved broad collaboration
including in this case the sculptor, who still lives in Hyde Park, and Bruce
Clinton, still active in Hyde Park. Mayor Daley dedicated both these projects
at gala celebrations.
· A commemorative boulder incised by Hyde Parker Walter Arnold was given a celebratory dedication in Kenwood Community Park (50th and Dorchester), honoring Lester J. Dugas, a major community leader from the 1950s to 70s and the first African American to serve in high rank at Commonwealth Edison.
Frustrations
continued with a growing backlog of deferred parks maintenance and regular upkeep,
staff that is not increased enough and efficiently enough deployed, communications/IT
that haven’t caught up, and inadequate funding compounded by a high debt
load. Superintendent Mitchell and staff spend much time squeezing funds from
Springfield and Washington. Yes, our representatives there and in City Council
have found scarce funds for projects in our parks. But one wonders how Chicago
proposes to undertake an Olympics with such poor investment in parks, transit
and infrastructure.
The Conference submitted to the Mayor, the Olympic Committee, and the Park District
a full catalogue of needs to be studied and addressed with public input, if
the city is to undertake and the citizens to support an Olympics in 2016—and
even if Chicago’s not selected. Our delegation discussed these with Park
District staff but have yet to receive a reply. And no general community meeting
for Hyde Park concerns is in sight .
The Chicago 2016 Committee has held a well-attended first stage meeting with
the Washington Park community, has held discussions with several stakeholder
organizations and councils, and has at least four members from the mid South
Side.
The Committee, accompanied by experienced Olympic planners, presented and answered
questions with the Jackson Park Advisory Council (JPAC) September 10 on the
Olympic field hockey facility. Here is a brief summary, based on JPAC’s
newsletter:
Presenters stressed their intent to keep impacts very temporary and very localized
and to leave a lasting legacy improvement, principally two artificial surface,
fully accessible soccer fields. Otherwise the park would be returned to present
state and uses. They promised continuing engagement in an open, fair, collaborative
process. Q & A:
· The youth soccer league commissioner said modern artificial surfaces
offer significant advantages and are needed in the Jackson Park fields regardless.
· Hayes Drive (63rd) and the facilities north of it including the golf
driving range will be closed from late 2015 to late 2016.
· The Committee was shown what proposed features are too close to natural
areas and where crowd access barriers may be necessary.
· No improvements or major changes to the larger park or community are
expected.
· Intent is to discourage autos coming into the area.
· Past precedents will be used to accommodate displaced sports team.
Team reps stressed this as critical.
· Many were concerned about impact on parking and congestion with little
long range to see for it. Some asked for at least a distinctive feature during
the Olympics. Many questioned the projected short timeframe or that Olympic
needs will trump regular maintenance or improvement needs.
· Full design starts after Olympic award in late 2009; this was suggested
as the window for heavy community input. An archeologist said the impact area
is full of significant remain, including the Columbian Exposition, and since
the law requires pre-reconnaissance, an early start is needed.
Draft of the September 2006 Conference Reporter. ( See also article on Swim Bans and notification, in the New Testing and Swim Bans and article on Promontory Point in the Point Latest page.)
By Gary Ossewaarde
We know there are serious upkeep and facilities backlogs in our parks, especially the internal parks. But this year has also been a year of real accomplishment. The Parks Committee hopes to thank many of the “park warriors” and provide a chance to network and share ideas at small receptions this fall.
Bessie Coleman. The council completed its framework plan, secured new lighting, removal of obscuring bushes, and a nearby security camera (sought also by HPKCC), and has received and continues to pursue grants and donations for new furnishings. Cooperation from Alderman Hairston and the 21st Police District has been outstanding.
Harold Washington. The council with Skidmore, Owings Merrill and the Chicago Park District completed a framework plan for the park. This became a stepping-stone to immanent renewal of the historic Model Boat Basin with installation of “Ecstasy” by internationally honored Hyde Park Sculptor Virginio Ferrari. Much thanks goes to council president Irene Sherr, Bruce Clinton (who donated the sculpture) Alderman Preckwinkle, the Chicago Park District, the Crescent Group (new owners of Regents Park), the University of Chicago, South East Chicago Commission, and private citizens. In addition, the 53rd Street tennis courts were refurbished in time for the Gay Games and repairs made to the Harold Washington Playground, and chess benches installed. Next for consideration are rationalizing the park paths and lighting and improvement of the undeveloped section north of 51st Street.
Jackson. A new drumming and activity circle (similar to a council ring) is being installed east of the 63rd Bathing Pavilion. Progress is being made bringing the languishing Viking Ship (sailed to the 1893 Columbian Exposition and long in Lincoln Park) to the Museum of Science and Industry for restoration and display. 3 of 28 tennis courts, the roof at the Bowling Green clubhouse, and facilities in the fieldhouse were repaired. Paths, some facilities upgrades, and tree replacement are high on the council’s ask list.
Kenwood. The revitalized council has worked with stakeholder groups, schools, police and Alderman Preckwinkle to stabilize the vandalized Common Threads children’s community garden, stop unsafe school drop off traffic in the park and identify major needs.
Nichols. The north plaza and formal gardens were completed, concerts and festivals planned, and focus placed on major needs. The next festival is an area wide Pumpkin Patch October 7.
Spruce. The framework plan is complete and the council will use grant monies, including from SECC, on demonstration lighting and benches and proceed to raise more funds. A children’s garden was installed and several festivals (next October 29 10-2) and workdays organized.
A
new recreational facility with indoor pool that many Hyde Parkers will use opened
this summer in the former Harris YWCA at 6200 S. Drexel. May we also express
our appreciation for the many people who take time to walk our parks, report
problems to the Park District and pick up trash. Read much more about our parks’
histories, accomplishments and needs in our website, hydepark.org. Go to Parks
and start browsing.
Top
Around the Parks: From The Conference Reporter
From the Winter 2006 HPKCC Conference Reporter
by Gary Ossewaarde. Parks to Keep, Take Back, or Upgrade
Parks should be major community-building assets for their neighbors and neighborhoods. both strong local park councils and broader community organizations and stakeholders need to keep their ears and eyes wide open while thinking outside the box to make sure the parks effectively serve their neighbors and are seen as places to be proud of and enjoy. To serve as an asset starts with good appearance, as in the case for the parks noted here.
The Point--closer to being saved
Especially now (August 14, 2006) that the Park District has dropped conditions and objections to signing on to the review and preservation process. Thanks to the commitment and hard work by the Promontory Point Task Force and Senator Barack Obama and his staff, Promontory Point's seawall is likely to keep the limestone steps. The preservation compliance officer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be in charge of examining the Pont to see which parts will be preserved as are, which will be restored, and how improved access will be woven into the structure. The focus is now back on the track laid down by preservation law, including the 1993 Memorandum of Agreement: seeking best way to preserve, not to redesign. This assessment and the engineering plan will take time, so don't expect any activity this year. What you may see this summer is some probing in the Point's interior by the Army Corps looking for remains from the Nike Base C-41 that may need more remediation. [Correction- the re-assessment will be confined to Jackson Park, judging from recommendation in the Army Corps Final Prelim. Assessment on C-41. Ed.]
Bessie Coleman neighbors mount a campaign to take back and improve their park
The park at 54th and Drexel, recently named for pioneering African-American aviatrix Bessie Coleman, last year became a node of criminal and disruptive activity, including shootings. Neighbors have not only attended CAPS and special meetings but also formed a council, led by Peter Cassel. The council has sought increased police presence including through designation of the park area as a gang and drug hot spot, a request backed up by the Conference in a letter to Police Superintendent Cline.
But the council is also working with the Park District and fundraising for physical improvements to the park will make the park more attractive to the public (people presence) and make it less easy for loiterers and criminals to use the park to hide, lurk, or escape police. Lighting has been enhanced, shrubbery trimmed or replaced, and new fencing and benches are being sought.
Parks enhancing play equipment, gardens, programs
Spruce Park council, led by Sach Diwan, is among those working with the district and Friends of the Parks to make their park a real community asset rather than a place left to criminals and less desirable elements. Overgrown shrubbery that served as hiding places was removed. A children's garden opens this spring. Changes to fencing and gating are under study as part of a new framework plan. Clean-up days and festivals are held regularly. Redesign and fundraising is underway to move the playground (with new equipment) to a more visible spot with benches appropriate to parents rather than hangers-about, and to improve traffic flow with new paths.
Washington Park's council and allies are working to bring even more facilities into their parks and ensure activities and festivals are in the right place. There has been much landscape improvement, a new vista garden and restoration at the Fountain of Time. Washington, as well as Jackson Park, will receive playground replacement. The district, park staffs and councils for Washington and Jackson parks have introduced increased child and youth programming. Much of the latter is made possible not only by increased budgeting but by partnerships, not only with corporate sponsors but with park user groups such as lawn bowling and croquet clubs, soccer and ball clubs, and yacht clubs, and with institutional help and participation in park activities by civic and social organizations.
Nichols and Harold Washington have seen real gains in facilities and are seeking more, vetting new ideas for their parks and constantly fighting against misuse. Their members are engaged in continual conversation, walk throughs, and letter writing with park staff and officials. Public surveys and discussions are also absolutely essential.
There is always much more to be done. There is always the undertow of wear-down and of those elements who want to take over parks in ways that make them unsafe and unpleasant. And there are the new ideas that have to be scrutinized and tweaked to make sure they fit the character of the park and the needs of users. Active, well-attended councils are key to growing and maintaining parks as assets.
Overall, we are gaining ground. Give your parks groups a sympathetic ear when they ask for money and participation.
From the Summer 2005 HPKCC Conference Reporter
by Gary Ossewaarde
Wearing the parks downParks generally experience stress in summer. This year, the drought compounds the effects of crowds, picnics and games.
In our larger parks, especially on the lakefront, this is compounded by large-group gatherings. We refer here not to the seasonal late-night noisy crowds at 55th and the Point nor to the evening aggregations at some of our small parks and school yards, particularly in the western part of the neighborhood, or the drug and other activities being run out of cars in parking lots or remote woods, etc. But rather to the large groups that converge on weekends by car on the lakefront and other large parks and tarry until well after midnight.
These groups often do not obtain proper permits or notify the parks that they will be using the park. They frequently park on lawns, play loud, amplified music (which is not allowed without special permit), come in numbers well beyond the capacity of facilities and trash cans, do not properly handle fires, dispose of waste or hot coals, and continue way past the park closing hours. Sometimes fights break out or drinking and other illegal activities become rampant—even in the playlots. In the morning, the places they occupied are littered with broken glass (including in playlots), trash and wasted food, and remains of unsavory activities.
By attending the park advisory council meetings (or starting a council if there isn’t one that meets regularly) and CAPS meetings, citizens can start banding together to take back the park and to collect a set of phone numbers of park managers and community policing officials they can call for action any time of day or night, in addition to calling 911, 311 and their alderman’s office. [To find the nearest council or CAPS contacts and meeting dates, call the Conference at 773 288-8343 or email us at hpkcc@aol.com.] This information is also on line in www.hydepark.org. Search Park Councils and CAPS .
Other difficulties weigh on the parks
Aggravating the stressed condition of some parks are the park district’s lack of permanent contractors and sufficient staff and department leadership to take care of landscape, trees and natural areas, or to supervise volunteer groups doing what they can. Millions of dollars worth of trees and special plantings are at risk of being lost. In rehabilitation or recently-new project areas, momentum and experience are being lost. The problem is far beyond rescue by sending out fleets of watering trucks.
But, some of our intrepid park volunteers are collecting or borrowing old hoses and organizing teams of volunteers to water trees in Nichols Park. Contact Stephanie Franklin if you would like to help.
The park budget season is upon us again. Despite its limited resources, the District must be persuaded to at least maintain its child and youth programming and beef up the academic and social learning components.
From the Spring 2005 HPKCC Conference Reporter
The parks and their advisory councils have both good and disappointing news to report over the past few months. The best news is vigorous councils that residents, organizations, and groups with special needs or wants seek out for an ear and a hand. The sad news is that the Park District lacks funds to put much funds or staff in the parks. But the local staff is outstanding and many of the administrators supportive. The HPKCC parks committee mainly works with the councils—supporting special and parks-common needs and concerns, publicizing meetings and activities, providing “back office” services for some, mainly Jackson and Nichols. And we maintain the parks pages, a major presence in the Conference website resource, www.hydepark.org.
A common concern we expressed to the Park District recently, in support of Nichols and Kenwood Park councils, was the change in the boundary between the district’s South and Central regions to run right through the neighborhood at Hyde Park Blvd. (51st Street), with likely detriment to parents, kids, and park staff. Another was budget cuts reducing staffing at local parks (at first disproportionally on the South Side)—especially, it turns out, at the new Nichols fieldhouse, mandated to ratchet up on kids camps but without adequate staff. (There were also severe cuts at Midway and Kenwood.)
At Nichols, we also continue to support their concern at homeless persons, drinkers and troublemakers in the park, inadequate trash containers creating an eyesore and possible health hazard by Murray school and 53rd Street, and at violations of the Intergovernmental Agreement by the school’s administration. Nichols Council, the park and others held a spectacular dedication and ‘Eggstravaganza’ March 19 for the return and re-siting of Cosmo Campoli’s ‘Bird of Peace.’ Save time this summer for the 4th on 53rd and the Sunday concerts.
Harold Washington council under the leadership of Irene Sherr and others, from its formation has gotten the ear of district officers, downtown and region, even though this park, one of the most heavily used in the city, has no fieldhouse and a marginal comfort station. Many improvements have already been made with more on the way, including, they hope, to the regional-draw tennis courts. And, with help from SOM architects, the council has been honing a framework plan to rationalize and improve the park. The park has problems accommodating large numbers of picnics (which sometimes set up loud sound systems they aren’t supposed to), accommodating parking demand, and with unsavory activity late nights, lighting, walks, and trash. Recently, a large contingent came to ask the council to find room in the park for a dog park. It seems a place can be found, although it’s a long road to get approval and, as for all major facilities in parks these days, the group will have to organize, convince neighbors, and raise much of the cost.
Jackson has recently seen the long-desired naming of the upper pavilion of the recently-landmarked 63rd St. Bathing Pavilion for Eric Hatchett, former council president who advocated for restoration of the facility and for teen programs. The park will soon be settling down from the Lake Shore Drive reconstruction: at the north end of 57th St. beach, the seawall connection and protection for the new underpasses is being topped with limestone blocks, the underpass under 57th will open about Memorial Day, and the historic granite-paver beach (extended) north of 63rd beach finished this summer. The Museum of Science and Industry will soon open the new U-505 exhibit under the northeast lawn. That area (with the underpass area) will be beautifully and historically landscaped. The council has also won an appropriate and historic landscaping plan for the Music Court lot and Columbia/Science Drive, as well as new bike/walking connections to the 59th underpass and in Bob-o-link Meadow. The council is cooperating in efforts by the Korean 1893 monument group to plan and fund an open-air temple-like facility south of the lagoons*. The council supports a budget item for a council ring for drumming groups east of 63rd beach, helps underwrite program needs at the fieldhouse and holds monthly 2nd Saturday workdays to clear out overgrown invasives in the natural areas. [*Ed. since re-sited south of the Driving Range.]
Spruce Park council has reorganized and pushes for park upgrade, cleanup and safety. First goal is to remove the street-side fence that it believes impedes these goals. The council meets 2nd Wednesdays 6:30 pm at the Nichols fieldhouse and needs you.
Midway council, which works out the hefty summer program of Wednesday night movies and concerts and advises on the skate-season program, has issues with wear-and-tear on the fieldhouse/warming house, trash, care of the new gardens, and overuse of the playing fields. The University of Chicago has funded many of the facilities and programs in Midway Plaisance.
Two matters we are watching and ask citizens to watch also are:
1) How to make pocket parks safe, nice and useful for neighbors if we expect these parks to remain,
2) Resolution of quality issues for Washington Park. Neighbors and the council find the summer festivals intolerable, the playing fields not kept up, and an endless problem with trash and unacceptable behaviors. The Park District is coming around on ball fields and some other needs, but moving the festivals, especially to the southern, more natural and passive part of the park, clashes to the Park District recently with other park goals and uses....And the missing item? The Point. Perhaps by the time this reaches you, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency will have ruled on the city/Army Corps sketches, but a back-and-forth on requests to revise is more likely. IHPA has been insistent upon a preservation plan that, as the 1993 Memorandum says, “shall match the existing,” which to IHPA means basically limestone. The Community Task Force insists that demolition cannot be preservation. The Task Force, Alderman Hairston and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. have sought in different ways to build a political fence around both the Point and IHPA.
From the Winter 2004 HPKCC Conference Reporter. by Gary Ossewaarde, Parks Committee chair.
With the departure of David Doig and appointment of Timothy J. Mitchell as General Superintendent of the Chicago Park District and with much of its "institutional memory" departing through retirement buy-outs, this may be the time for a serious examination of the directions of the District and its relationships with local park stakeholders.
Last December, the Board of the Conference took note of a long stream of difficulties that the Nichols Park Council and the Hyde Park Garden Fair (affiliates of HPKCC) had with Park District and Public Schools officials, designing a pleasing and useful space in Nichols Park by the new gym addition. The Board wrote top park administrators on this lost opportunity and the failure of planners and officials to listen to the park councils as the "best voice" of park neighbors and the community.
Turnover at the Park District may open a window of opportunity for park organizations and communities to improve communication and public involvement, although it creates difficulties both for continuity of programming/upkeep/long range planning and for communication between officers and communities.
HPKCC's parks committee will be seeking public consideration of (1) how parks groups can communicate and coordinate with each other proactively on matters of common concern and achieve a consistently-considered voice, and (2) how to develop park standards and "best means" to determine what communities want for their parks.
Finally, creative partnering is needed between communities and the Park District. This will require that the councils, park advocacy groups, and regional and downtown officials get together to define goals and priorities . Our role is to help this happen.
Events (other than regular council meetings) and key news
The Park District was testing new council standards with select councils. Provisions that were found to be unworkable or unacceptable were removed at a special meeting and a joint committee being set up. The objecionable and most potentially burdensome provisions are gone in a shorter, more friendly document. Futher revisions were made at the July 11 opening meeting of Councils Oversite joint committee, but the revised guidelines still have provisions that to this writer are unclear (in addition to the degree to which the document is mandatory).
Kenwood Park council members complained about baseball field expansion and Lincoln Park Council complained vocally about the Latin School soccer field arrangement at the March 2008 Park Board meeting. Issues about Kenwood Council seem on the way to resolution, not necessarily so with the park's use.
Friends of the Parks has moved to 17 N. State Street., Suite 1450 60602. Phone and fax stay the same.
Gery Chico has been named by Mayor Daley to replace Maria Saldana on the Park Board of Commissioners and has been elected president of the board. The District and friends of the Parks will hold public receptions for Mr. Chico. Bob Pickens remains vice president. Cindy Mitchell has resigned.
Workdays- Burnham 1st Sats 9:30, Jackson 2nd and 4th Sats 10-1 through November, Nichols sometimes 2nd and 4th Suns 3-5.
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.
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.
Online Registration (Utilizes PayPal). View spring programs starting April 7. Online registration starts April 21 9 am (at at some parks is filled almost instantly), in-person registration starts April 26.
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.cfmYou 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. Programs can be viewed on line from July 28. 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. Washngton 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.
The Chicago 2016 meets with Jackson Park Advisory Council Monday, September 10, 7:30 pm. Open to the public.
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 606012016 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.
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.
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 has released and passed it's approved 2007 operating budget, 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
Positions and programs for youth in parks are now up on line at http://www.chicagokidsstart.org.
You can inquire at Friends of the Parks--www.fotp.org or email jonesjp@fotp.org. 312 857-2757. Or erik.varela@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
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
Several birders and frequenters of Wooded Island in Jackson Park asserted
that fall 2006 a combination of storms affecting the canopy and clearing of
understory brush invasives have affected usefulness to and presence of birds.
Dramatic stories were printed in the Herald and Tribune. Whether the number
of birds has diminished depends in part on the total area surveyed--Wooded itself
was down significantly but then rebounded at least partially, effects citywide
and statewide of the mild winter and West Nile virus. The amount and locations
of clearing is much less than implied. Plans for island management were cleared
through walk throughs in advance, participated in by Jackson Park Advisory Council
representatives and concurred in by the Aldermanic office, then supervised by
the park district. An updated management plan is being developed.
There will always be disagreements over policies toward natural areas, such as how vigorously to eradicate invasives, how thick or thin is too much. Most experts and experienced observers call for a healthy mix with emphasis on biodiversity, mostly natives, medium-speed growing, and plants of all levels from ground to canopy. Being able to feed and shelter birds and other wildlife is highly important. The Chicago Park District, which runs several "natural areas" including in Burnham, Jackson, Nichols, and Washington in this area, pledges to make sure that what is planted is healthy and is sustained and maintained. A new position of volunteer coordinator has been created. The district says that without volunteers and limited use of fast-decay herbicides, natural areas and sanctuaries could not be maintained.
Randi Doeker, a former Hyde Parker, past president of Chicago Ornithological Society, writes in the January 17 2007 Herald that birds deserve a four star environment. She says pets land wild animals are not compatible in the natural areas. (Others say it's OK if on leash--but the park district says not in natural areas.) She calls for using all the input and expert and scientific advice available in support of expansion of biodiversity in the city. She calls for a habitat for birds similar to the plant life their ancestors found. This requires "taking out the discount bird-motel and replacing it with a four-star environment. "There are many great birding spots" in the parks" within easy reach of Hyde Park.
JPAC is concerned about harbor plans. The Army Corps has revisited the Nike site. The drummers circle will be readjusted after stakeholder meetings. 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.
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 dies 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 Barak 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
_______________________________
Chicago Park District Board Committee meetings are held 2nd Wednesdays but can move. A full and important agenda incl. tangental to Children's Musuem. You must be there early (by 3:40) to sign up to speak.
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 Diane Lesniak 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 Bob Megquier, 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.
Next
regular meetings are in 2nd or 3rd Wed. 541 N. Fairbanks, 8th Floor.
Committees 10:30 am. Board meeting 4 pm. Check as meetings are sometimes
in parks.
August 13, at ??.
2009 budget hearings are in progress.
Kenwood Park Area Central PD Region budget hearing Wednesday, July 16, 6:30 pm at Fuller Park, 331 W. 45th St. 312 747-6144.
Regional hearings, probably in September, tba.
The Chicago Park District
2007 operating budget is online at:
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/departments.budget
Save the Date:
September 6, Saturday. All Councils Recognition and Awards Day at Northerly
Island, including entertainment, food.
City Council Committee on Parks and Recreation. Ald. Mary Ann Smith, Chairman
Generally meets the 3rd Wednesday of the monthat 11 am.
_________________________________________
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 park advisory council meetings (not all)
Washington Park council's Olympic Committee meets 1st Saturdays 9 am in the fieldhouse. 5th Ward Olympics impact and planning meetings are 4th Thursday, 6:30 pm, Jackson Park fieldhouse, 6401 S. Stony Island.
Kenwood Park Usage Committee. 3rd meeting Thurs. July 30, 7:30 pm. Hyde Park Bank 4th floor 1525 E. 53rd St.
Council, Conference, Friends of the Parks, and Green News, Announcements and Bulletins
See HPKCC recent letters and resolutions on the parks and councils.
Park District Community Out
