Chicago Park District Celebrates Another Milestone Year
Release Date: 01/02/08
The Chicago Park District closes 2007 with several accomplishments including implementation of new policies, numerous facility improvements, continued commitment to eco-friendly practices, and land acquisitions.
Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Timothy J. Mitchell said, "This year has been marked by several successes thanks to the Chicago Park District board of commissioners, staff, community partners, civic-minded residents and all others who participated.”
Federal Funding
Newly elected members to Chicago’s city council were among this past year’s participants in spreading the Chicago Park District’s mission. Ten freshmen aldermen joined General Superintendent Mitchell in Washington, D.C. to lobby for federal funding for urban park restoration projects. The Chicago Park District led the push for the re-establishment of Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) funds, federal dollars that have not been appropriated in the past four years. The Chicago Park District demanded that the federal government fulfill its commitment to investing in parks.
Save Our Lake
Regionally, the Chicago Park District organized efforts for a large-scale petition drive in opposition to a wastewater discharge permit granted to BP Amoco in Whiting, Indiana, by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Hundreds of thousands signed “Save Our Lake” petitions, including 70,000 collected by the Chicago Park District with partnering organizations and agencies. The campaign garnered national attention to importance of the Great Lakes as a natural resource.
Green Initiatives
The Chicago Park District also focused on eco-friendly practices and began purchasing 30 percent of its electrical energy supply from a renewable energy source through a new contract with the State of Illinois. The Park District helps sustain the alternative energy industry by providing a consistent demand for power from renewable sources. Most of the supplied renewable energy will be derived from wind-generated power.
As part of its greening initiatives, the Chicago Park District focused efforts on decreasing carbon emissions by replacing over 20 percent of its passenger fleet vehicles with hybrid vehicles that provide fuel savings from $900-1,500 per car. Additionally, the Park District purchased eight propane-powered, low-polluting lawnmowers that reduce emissions by one-third and boost fuel economy by 14 percent. The lawnmowers also have lower maintenance costs and are estimated to save the Park District 30 to 40 percent in fuel costs.
Environmentally responsible practices are also used in new construction whenever possible. This year saw the dedication of phase one of the newly renovated Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway, the largest Chicago Park District indoor recreation facility that was remodeled to be energy efficient and offer an array of amenities. After the exterior thermal shell was restored and sealed up to decrease energy loss, the Park District installed new energy efficient equipment and control systems.
Smoking Ban
In addition to protecting the environment, the Chicago Park District supported policies that safeguard public health. Officials passed a proposal that prohibits smoking at all beaches, playlots and playgrounds within the Chicago Park District system. Smoking has been found to be hazardous to human health. Moreover, numerous studies have shown that second-hand smoke is a significant pubic health hazard, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as the most dangerous carcinogen.
Land Acquisition
The number of park acres overseen by the Chicago Park District expanded and includes the acquisition of two plots of land that will be transformed into parks. The Chicago Park District acquired the current site of the Vietnam Veteran’s Museum and the Women’s Park, 1801 S. Indiana, for park and recreation purposes. Located on the near South Side, the 2.49-acre site includes a 29,746-square-foot building, parts of which will be used for Park District programs and events.
The Chicago Park District also acquired a new park at 24th and Federal Streets, near the Harold Ickes homes. Currently known as Park #540, the park improvements would transform the currently desolate vacant lot into an open and active green space in the near South Side community. The proposed park would house a combination baseball/soccer field, an ADA accessible playground complete with asphalt walking paths, and landscaped nature areas.
The past year included the growth and expansion of parks. The Logan Square community saw the completion of the playground that marked the first phase of expansion and redevelopment of Haas Park, 2402 N. Washtenaw Ave. The Chicago Park District acquired the property to the west of the park, which will enable the demolishment of the existing fieldhouse to rebuild a larger facility, spray pool, and ball field.
Community Gardens
New programs were launched this year including the Community Gardens in the Parks, which gives residents a chance to design, plant and care for their community garden in their neighborhood parks. Gardening gives individuals an opportunity to be active, creative, social and establish a direct connection with nature. Those interested in starting their own community garden in a park must register with the Chicago Park District and will receive guidance and suggestions through the process.
Public Art
Enhancing patrons’ experiences at two parks with impressive public art was another accomplishment of 2007. Located in Washington Park at the Midway Plaisance, the Fountain of Time is the masterpiece of Chicago’s preeminent sculptor, Lorado Taft, and celebrated its complete restoration. The 1922 landmark is composed of a crag-like figure of father time watching over a procession of 100 human figures across a symbolic reflecting pool.
Public art was alive at the Niki in the Garden exhibition at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., where more than 35 extraordinary and monumental outdoor sculptures by internationally renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle were on display. Massive in scale, Saint Phalle’s magical and joyful works included enormous animals, mythical figures, totems, sports heroes and most famously, her Nanas—oversized, powerful women celebrating life. More than 145,000 visitors came to Garfield Park Conservatory to see the exhibit.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529