NoH PARKS ADVISORY COUNCILS MEETING TONIGHT....

Willye White, Washington Playlot & Triangle

PARKS ADVISORY COUNCILS MEETING

Tuesday, July 20th, 7:00 P.M.

Willye White Community Center

1610 Howard Street

Everyone is invited to attend and become involved

in the programing, operation and use

of YOUR neighborhood parks!

NEWS FROM NORTH OF HOWARD

Join your friends and neighbors at the Friday night neighborhood walks:

http://howardwatchers.blogspot.com/2010/05/noh-walks-and-neighborhood-nights.html

JOIN THE FUN AT WILLYE WHITE PARK/RECREATION CENTER

Chess Club
Fridays from April 2nd - June 4th, 2010
6:30pm - 8:30pm / Ages 21 and Over

Adult Walking Club 
Fridays from March 29th - June 6th, 2010
10:00 - 11:00am / Ages 18 & Over

Senior Citizens Club
Thursdays from April 1st - June 3rd, 2010
12:00pm - 2:00pm / Ages 55 and Over


Willye B. White Park Recreation Center 
1610 W. Howard Street, Chicago, IL. 60626
Contact Sharon O'Connell at 773-262-5051

NEWS FROM THE WILLYE B. WHITE RECREATION CENTER: FRIDAY NIGHT HOOPS

Willye B. White Park

 

Youth between ages 13-15 are participating in 'Inner City Hoops' basketball tournaments every Friday at the Willye B. White Park Community Center. The first event was Friday, March 12th and will be held every Friday, with the last event being April 23rd. The event begins at 5:00 pm and lasts until approximately 7:30 pm.


Throughout the duration of the 'Inner City Hoops' tournament, the Park Advisory Council will be operating a concession stand, selling hot dogs, chips, cookies, bottled water to raise funds.  All proceeds will go to help fund after school programs and summer camp for underprivileged children.  Stop in, catch a tournament, and enjoy a hot dog or just donate to the kids fund.


Through it's fund raising efforts the Council offered 80% discount stocking stuffers for the Winter Holiday so kids could attend park activities while on break.  The 80% discount was carried into the winter Park District program session and will continue with the spring program session.  Program sessions are 10 weeks and the Spring 2010 session runs from March 29th  thru June 6th.


Willye B. White Park & Recreation Center
1610 W. Howard St.
1-773-262-5051


For additional information visit
www.willyebwhitepark.org

NOH PARKS ADVISORY COUNCILS MEETING

The 3 NOH PARKS ADVISORY COUNCILS

WBW Park, HWM Playground & Triangle Park

Invite YOU to their

Monthly Meeting

7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 16th at

WBWhite Park Community Center

1610 W. Howard

Contribute your thoughts & ideas for Parks programing, management and security issues.

Please Join Us and Get Involved!

PARTICIPATE IN RENAMING 'TRIANGLE' PARK

Why rename Triangle Park?

Triangle Park is a 2.5 acre park located at 7700 N. Hermitage. It was a community managed park built in 1985 under Urban Renewal restrictions. It is a passive park with no sports or play structures on it. The community considers it a nature park, with an ecological focus and used for picnics, impromptu sports, and community events. In 2000 it was transferred to the Chicago Park District as Park #518. The Park District has asked new parks to be named after a notable woman. Therefore, the Triangle Park Advisory Council has drawn up a short description of 3 candidates, each having either lived or worked in Rogers Park and contributed to the advancement of our community.

What happens after the poll is concluded?
In Jan. we will hold a special advisory council meeting to determine the name we will recommend to the Park District.

We will ask Alderman Moore to write a letter of support. The Park District Commissioners have 45 days to study the request & then it will be on their monthly agenda for approval.
Probably the decision will be in spring.

We are encouraging those who reside, work, visit, recreate... in Rogers Park to participate in the poll. Paper/pencil poll sheets are at Willye White Rec Center at 1610 W. Howard.

Link to electronic poll: http://renamingtrianglepark.blogspot.com/

Thank you,
Sr. Cecilia Fandel
President

'Triangle' Park Advisory Council

COMMUNITY ALERT REGARDING THE HAROLD WASHINGTON CHILDREN'S PLAYLOT

Since August, 2009, when 24th District Acting Commander Robert Whalen announced that 'his' Officers would no longer enforce posted Chicago Park District Rules and Regulations at the Harold Washington Memorial Playground, the situation and conditions have gone from bad to worse. Playlot hours and age restrictions are not enforced and calls to 911 involving the playlot are not responded to and disregarded (coded 19) by his Officers. In the meantime, as the following photos depict, what was meant to be a safe and secure place for boys and girls 11 and under to recreate, has been, and is being systematically destroyed as it is taken over by older youth, thugs and gangbangers.

PARK WATCH WORKSHOP AND ORIENTATION TONIGHT

Hi Neighbors:

TONIGHT, Aug. 26, at Willye White Rec Center, from 7-8pm, there will be a PARK WATCH orientation from Mayra Gomez, who does this sort of thing for 2 police districts, 24 and 20. So she knows her stuff.

This will operate similar to a BLOCK WATCH, only the focus will be our three parks North of Howard. We will be registered as an official entity with the Chicago Police Department, and when we call for assistance, we are better equipped to know what/how to talk to 911 and get police action. You will also learn more about the city ordinances that cover the regulations and use of the city parks & playlots and the responsibilities of the police (since 1958), and the Park District. BE INFORMED and INVOLVED.

In addition, I know some of you may have novel ways of getting cooperation from the youth in our neighborhood and building a raporie with them which will go a long way to making our neighborhood and it's parks and the playlot safe and enjoyable places to be.

The goal is to get at least 2-3 dozen people involved in PARK WATCH, so that no one person or group has to carry the burden alone. AND it can be fun. It CAN be a good way for you to take that first step in getting involved in the community and taking responsibility to help it develop and grow to be an REAL community, not just a community where groups live side by side, but never interact with each other.

Thank you,
Sr. Cecilia Fandel,Chairperson
NoH Park's Safety Committee

CELEBRATE FATHER'S DAY: PARTICIPATE IN THE FAMILY WALKATHON FUNDRAISER

(click poster image to enlarge

UP DATE: A MEETING REMINDER FROM SISTER CECILIA

Hi everyone:

Because of the threat of bad rain, we WILL meet at

Willye White Recreational Center on 1610 Howard street

Still 7-8pm.

spread the word.

See you there.

Cecilia

Original Meeting Announcement

Hi everyone:

Triangle Park council meeting on Tues at 7pm in Triangle Park.

Triangle Park Advisory Council Meeting – June 2, 2009 7:00-8:00

Held at Triangle Park Picnic Area – Bring a chair or campstool.

Here is the Agenda:

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Meeting with Derek Martin, North Region Area Supervisor

3. Peace Pole Project – where to put it, a peace garden also?

4. Cultural Festival – Jamaican community members will explore ideas on celebrating Jamaican Independence Day (Aug. 6) some weekend near that date.

5. What other event could Triangle Park hold before November?

6. Information on Grant Proposal to obtain exercise stations.

7. By- law changes will be noted for discussion. Approval in July.

8. Other events coming up at Willye White Park.

9. Next meeting date: July 7.

Cecilia

JOIN THE NOH PARKS CLEAN-UP: SPREAD THE WORD!

A message from Eva McCann:

Hello Friends of our Parks,

Come on out and celebrate the beauty of our Parks and help pick up garbage on Saturday morning, April 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Join a group in Dubkin Park at Fargo and Ashland, Triangle Park, Harold Washington Playlot, and Willye White Park. I personally will be at Willye White Park.

Come with plastic bags for garbage, grocery bags will do just fine, some gloves and a smile on your face to greet others who will be there to help make our parks cleaner and more beautiful.
Let our parks know that we care about how they look. Parks are living things too you know.

Hope someone brings a camera to take pictures to share and we can send them to Friends of the Parks and the Chicago Park District to let them know we are out there doing our part to keep our parks attractive, and welcoming for all.

We can meet up at Charmers at Jarvis & Greenview and talk about the interesting items we found in the parks, then go on our merry ways to celebrate the rest of the day and enjoy the long anticipated spring weather.

By the way there is another city wide Clean and Green on Saturday, April 25th. The Alderman's office will provide, brooms, shovels, gloves, really big bags and refreshments, 9:00 - 12:00. Folks will be gathering to clean the streets and parkways. For more information about the city's clean & green call 338-5796.

Hope to see you in the Parks on April 18th and many thanks for all of your help.

Eva McCann
CAPS Facilitator, Beat 2422
Willye White Park Advisory Council

h: 773-761-8206
c: 773-495-8725
elm@clstoons.com

Parents, Grandparents and other Adult mentors are encouraged to bring their 'young people' to participate. It's a great opportunity to educate them about the importance of taking responsibility for and care of our neighborhood and it's parks.

'NO GAMES CHICAGO' MEETING TODAY

Park Champions -HELP STOP THE OLYMPICS FROM COMING TO CHICAGO. The games will destroy public parks and add tons of emissions to the environment. They will put the city in hock for 30 years!
When: Saturday, Feb -. 7th, 3pm-5pm

Where: Jak's Tap (Meeting Room) 901 W Jackson, Chicago

MUST READ

'GANG SHRINES' AND THE 24th POLICE DISTRICT

In regard to the crime situation in our community, I want to relate the following to all 49th Ward residents:
I attended a meeting last night (Friday, Jan.16th) as a member of the NoH Parks' Advisory Council's Security Committee. In addition to Chicago Park District personnel (program, facilities and security), Sargent John Delgado, 24th District, was in attendance. When the subject of 'gang shrines' came up, Sgt. Delgado informed us that it was the 'policy' of the 24th District to allow 'gang shrines' to remain, in place on public property, for up to 48 hours. I was dumbfounded by this revelation, as I'm sure all law abiding RP residents will be. I strongly voiced my objection to this 'policy' as completely absurd and ridiculous on a number of levels, from enabling and glorifying to coddling the gang lifestyle and activity in our community. This 'attitude'/policy is a serious affront to our residents and our community. It should be OFFICIALLY discontinued immediately. There must be ZERO tolerance to glorification or tolerance of ANY gang activity, period, particularly on the part of our 24th District Police officers. I intend to pursue this matter further, with STRONG objections, to Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis, 24th District Commander David Sobczyk, as well as 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. I strongly urge ALL residents of our community to do the same.
Voice your feelings and opinion to:

police@cityofchicago.org
jody.weis@chicagopolice.org
David.Sobczyk@chicagopolice.org
ward49@cityofchicago.org

GALE PARK RENAMED

The Chicago Park District has officially renamed Gale Park. The new name of the park is now Willye B. White Park. For more on the renaming and biographical history of Willye B. White, the person, please link here.

FREE MUSEUM DAYS

With the 'Holiday Season' comes family visits and gatherings. Here is a great resource to plan outings to the many Chicago Museums and take advantage of their FREE Admission Days. Link Here!

MUST READ

To: Erma Tranter
President, Friends of the Parks
Re: Completing the Lakefront Park System

November 7th, 2008

Erma,

Over the years I personally have appreciated the outstanding efforts of "Friends Of the Parks" in challenging the City and the Park District and being the voice of citizens who want better parks, better programs and more open green space. In that stewardship role FOTP has stood as a beacon, shining a light on the legacy of Olmsted, Ward and Burnham. In particular, I have seen the role you have played in making Friends of the Parks into the credible organization that it is today and I and many others, I'm sure, recognize that effort as well.

The accomplishments of FOTP over the years in making this a better city are numerous and the opportunities to do so much more in the future are staggering. One major opportunity is the influence that FOTP can bring to bear upon the future plans for our lakefront. As we approach the centennial of the Plan of Chicago next year, a great deal of attention is being focused on what many feel is yet undone - completing the lakefront park system. So allow me to chime in on what I believe is a gross distortion and misinterpretation of what is now known as the Burnham Plan. I have a well-worn and read copy of the Plan, so I'll refer to it as I go on here.

First, let's put the entire Plan into perspective. In Chapter 1 on page 2, only 4 paragraphs into this remarkable document, Burnham had the good sense to understand that most of what was being proposed would take generations to accomplish and much would be reconsidered over those generations: "It should be understood, however, that such radical changes as are proposed herein cannot possibly be realized immediately. Indeed, the aim has been to anticipate the needs of the future as well as to provide for the necessities of the present: in short, to direct the development of the city towards an end that must seem ideal, but is practical. Therefore it is quite possible that when particular portions of the plan shall be taken up for execution, wider knowledge, longer experience, or a change in local conditions may suggest a better solution; but, on the other hand, before any departure shall be determined upon, it should be made clear that such a change is justified."

Well, departures we certainly have seen, particularly along the lakefront. Of course the greatest, and I might suggest the most tragic, departure has been from Burnham's unequivocal recommendation that Chicago vastly increase the amount of park space: "At least half the population of Chicago to-day live more than one mile from any large park, and in the congested sections of the city there are nearly five thousand people to each acre of park space. The average for the entire city is 590 persons to each acre of park. For health and good order there should be one acre of park area for each hundred people" (page 44). Burnham based his recommendation on the 1904 Report of the Special Park Commission. We are as far today from implementing that recommendation as we were then.

If Burnham were alive now, he wouldn't be as concerned about the last 4 miles of "unfinished" lakefront as much as he would be devastated that after 100 years this city has the worst record of open lands of the 15 major metropolitan areas in this country AND we're about to trash a considerable amount of park acreage by building a stadium in the middle of one of Frederick Law Olmsted's incredible legacies to this city - Washington Park. FOTP's staunch opposition to this hair-brained idea is certainly well appreciated and is in the tradition of what your organization has done in the past in standing up to the short-sighted self-interests that populate the Park District as well as City Hall.

Getting back to the lakefront, however, the departures there too have been numerous. If the lakefront looked like Burnham had planned, we'd have lagoons sprinkled along the entire lakeshore to Wilmette. We'd have man-made islands along the lakeshore from Jackson Park to Wilmette. The Midway in Hyde Park would be a canal, like those of Venice of which Burnham was looking to mimic. Lake Shore Drive would not be a major highway extending from south to north but rather a tranquil boulevard providing a scenic view of the lake with walkways alongside the road (see picture on page 92). Of course none of this happened because "longer experience or a change in local conditions suggested a better solution", not unlike the solution that many citizens in Edgewater and Rogers Park have been steadfastly recommending for the 2 miles of lakefront from Hollywood to the Evanston border - the uninterrupted wilderness beachfront that exists today.
On FOTP's site under "The Last 4 Miles" is a quote from Burnham: "“The Lakefront by right belongs to the people – not a foot of its shores should be appropriated to the exclusion of the people…” This quote is on page 50, so let me bracket it within it's broader context in the next paragraph where Burnham then says: "Wherever possible, the outer shore should be a beach on which the waves may break; and the slopes leading down to the water should be quiet stretches of green, unvexed by the small irregular piers and the various kinds of projections which to-day give it an untidy appearance."

He goes on about his lagoons again, but the point is that today, in Rogers Park we ALREADY HAVE "a beach on which the waves may break and the slopes leading down to the water of quiet stretches of green". So please, refrain from including Rogers Park within the context of "completing Chicago's lakefront parks". We believe that this City and our community have what Burnham envisioned and we look forward to FOTP's support in protecting the continued existence of that natural beauty.

Sincerely,
Don Gordon
bcc: Rogers Park neighborhood residents

Footnote: Two referendums in Rogers Park in the past 4 years have made the overwhelming point that landfills, marinas and Lake Shore Drive extensions should not be considered. Our Evanston neighbors as well have expressed their disdain for any lakefront "transformation" in their Lakefront Parks Plan. The residents of Rogers Park and the 49th Ward have spoken twice, so allow me to reference both of these referendums. A fellow resident, Dan Murray, provided us the following:

The question was on the 2004 ballot for the 49th Ward, but Lakefront precincts only. I believe the question was worded in the obverse, i.e. Should Lakefront expansion be permitted, and the vote was 88% NO and 12% Yes. See URL, below.
http://www.chicagoelections.com/pctlevel3.asp?Ward=49&elec_code=90&race_number=271

Then, in 2006, the question was posed in all precincts of the 49th Ward, and restated as: Should Lakefront expansion be prohibited? The tally was 74% YES and 26% No. See URL, below.
http://www.chicagoelections.com/pctlevel3.asp?Ward=49&elec_code=70&race_number=193

This election just concluded saw the question (same as 2006, above) posed in the 48th Ward, with 60% YES and 40% No. See URL, below.
http://www.chicagoelections.com/pctlevel3.asp?Ward=48&elec_code=40&race_number=184

TOMORROW IN GALE PARK

The Wisdom Bridge Arts Project, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Chicago Park District present

The 2008 Rogers Park World Music Festival

Gale Park, 1610 W. Howard Street
Saturday September 20th 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM
Admission is Free

Music Schedule & Time:

Angel In the Solar System, Cuban Soul & Salsa 1:00

Roots Redemption, Reggae 2:00

Andiandi, Pop/R&B 3:00

Yves Francois Et Rocambu, Jazz 4:00

Samba Mapangala & Virunga (Dr. Congo/Kenya 5:00
African Rumba & Soukous

For more information call Eva McCann at 773-495-8725

or 773-761-8206.
elm@clstoons.com

REGISTER FOR GALE PARK FALL PROGRAMS

Sign up for programs at Gale Park!
The Chicago Park District fall registration information for Gale Park is here!

There are 46 different program offerings for participants of ALL ages!

GALE PARK COMMUNITY CENTER OFFICIAL OPENING!

The Chicago Park District is pleased to announce the opening of Gale Park Community Center to residents on Friday, August 1, 2008 at Noon.

On Saturday, August 2, 2008 the park will host an Open House from 10 A.M. – 1 p.m. We invite community residents to stop and meet the new park supervisor, Sharon O’Connell and her staff, take a tour of the facility and check out the new fitness center, gymnasium and club room! Kids can create an arts & crafts project and everyone can enjoy light refreshments.

The park will be open to the community Monday – Friday, Noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and we’re closed on Sunday.

Judith A. Molloy
Chicago Park District
Marketing/Communications Manager

THE GALE PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

Welcome To All!

The Club Room!

Front Desk!

Exercise/Fitness Room!

The Court!