Publish Date

Community meetings scheduled to solicit community input on three proposed plans
 
As part of its ongoing South Lakefront Framework Plan process that began in June, the Chicago Park District announced today that it will host another two community meetings to present and solicit community feedback on potential park uses and capital improvements to Jackson and South Shore Parks. These meetings will focus on options for the rest of the park systems, building on plans for the Obama Presidential Center and traffic mitigations that were previously presented to the public.

The meetings will be focused solely on the options for recreational and cultural park uses; no new information will be presented about the Obama Presidential Center itself or proposed transportation improvements. The meetings will be held on December 7 and December 11 at the South Shore Cultural Center, located at 7059 S. South Shore Dr., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
 
“The Chicago Park District looks forward to developing a Framework Plan for the South Lakefront that is sound and steadfast for the enjoyment of current residents and future generations,” said Chicago Park District CEO & Superintendent Michael P. Kelly. “We will achieve this goal by continuously hosting community meetings and soliciting input from residents at every step of the way.”
 
The meetings will be held in an open house format that will include a brief presentation. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about and weigh in on three options that outline potential recreational and cultural park uses as well as capital improvements. These options were developed based on feedback from residents, existing park conditions and potential new projects. 
 
Each option will highlight different aspects of the parks. The plans will reflect potential park improvements to active recreation, passive recreation, water use and quality, history, arts and culture, and connectivity. The goal is to offer three options based on a reasonable balance of uses that also provide the greatest public benefit. 
 
Meeting participants will have the opportunity to analyze, question and comment on the proposed options. Park planners will engage with the community during the public forum to determine strengths and preferences of the various plans. Through this planning process, insights from park users will be instrumental in informing the framework plan for Jackson Park and the South Shore Cultural Center. The Chicago Park District encourages community members and organizations to attend the meetings and voice their views on the updates to the South Lakefront Framework Plan.
  
These are just the latest in a series of meetings about the South Lakefront Framework Plan that began in June and continued with open houses in September.