Chatham Parks: A Few Good Men and Women wanted

As we enter into spring and the temperature starts to rise our young people will start to come into the parks in our community. Our Chicago Park District parks supervisor, Gene Morgan, has done a yeoman's task of creating opportunities for our young people to engage in positive activities. He has created tumbling, gymnastics and soccer teams that compete in citywide events and is planning more for the spring and summer. Gene and his staff have gathered young men from 13-18 to play in Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's basketball tournament.

Unfortunately, because of budgetary constraints the current staff cannot accompany the teams to play in the tournament that will be held at Jackson Park on Thursday and Friday evenings. The teams need coaches who can commit to working the entire 47 week schedule. Coaches must be Chicago Park District certified volunteers. Individuals interested can obtain a volunteer form from the Chicago Park District website http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/assets/1/7/Volunteer_Application_for_Adults.pdf  and for information on the basketball program or other volunteer opportunities contact Gene Morgan at 312.747.6063.

Over the last year, many residents have expressed their displeasure with the condition of Brown Memorial Park http://www.chicagonow.com/concerned-citizens-of-chatham/2012/05/the-fight-to-save-brown-memorial-park-is-race-a-factor/ . The park needs an overhaul as the playground equipment, tennis courts and grounds in general are in disrepair. The Friends of the Parks, a non for profit organization that supports the parks is accepting applications from community groups to be selected for one of 35 playgrounds they will build this summer. A copy of the application is below. Any group(block club, community based organization, church, etc.) can apply

Chicago Plays Application by Worlee Glover

Chatham: It's Time to Save Brown Park

 

Last year I wrote a blog post about the parks in the 6th ward and one was Brown Memorial Park.

Brown Memorial Park was established as the last parcel of a large lot of land formerly owned by the Nation of Islam. The land was foreclosed and sold in parcels. The Chicago Park District purchased nearly 7 acres of a 14 acre for the playground in 1967. When park development began the following year, the site was picketed by angry residents, who had expected a park double the size. Though the park district was unable to acquire the additional land, improvements went forward. In 1990, the park district named the site for Sidney Brown (1951-1983), the first African-American firefighter to die in the line of duty in Chicago. Brown, who began his career as a firefighter in 1978, served with Engine Company 75 on the city's south side. As a "hydrant man" who connected hoses to fire hydrants, he was often the last firefighter to enter an engulfed building. Brown died on August 9, 1983, when he rushed into a burning house, hoping to save three children believed to be trapped there.

 Brown Memorial Park(636 E. 86th St) has been in a state of disrepair, the basketball courts were removed, the tennis courts are beat and the only major improvement the Chicago Park District has planned is to build a playlot that is fully funded at this point. The playlot is woefully insufficient as the park has no fieldhouse and no bathroom facilities. The community has had enough and is planning a meeting to address the current situation of Brown Memorial Park. The meeting information: May 2, 2012 Wednesday 6:30 pm Cole Park Fieldhouse 361 E. 85th For more information contact Rev. Dr. Marc Robertson at upliftsomeone@sbcglobal.net

Recap of Grand Crossing Park Playground Building Days

Friends of the Park


More than 100 volunteers helped construct Grand Crossing Park's new playground on Friday and Saturday, June 18th and 19th. This was the first community-playground-build project in nearly a decade!

Playground partners included Friends of the Parks, Kohl's Department Stores, Children's Memorial Hospital, Grand Crossing Park Advisory Council and the Chicago Park District.

Below are pictures of volunteers building the playground.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotpchicago/sets/72157624208272231/show/

Friends of the Parks has set up a Thomas Wortham IV Playground Fund

Friends of the Parks has set up a Thomas Wortham IV Playground Fund. In partnership with the Wortham family, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Police Department and the community, a new children’s playground will be constructed in Cole Park at 85th Street and Martin Luther King Drive across the street from his parents’ house. The new playground will be named the Thomas Wortham IV Playground.

Thomas Wortham IV was the President of the Cole Park Advisory Council and was active on a city-wide Park Advisory Council Network. Thomas committed his time, energy and vision to improving Cole Park. As President of the advisory council, Thomas worked on expanding recreation programs for youth, improving the children’s playground and the running track. At 30 years of age Thomas Wortham IV was a dedicated and respected community advocate who was a model for his community and all of Chicago. His loss on May 19th was devastating to all Chicagoans.

The Thomas Wortham IV Playground will be designed and constructed in Cole Park. The playground will be accessible to children of all abilities. The goal is to build the Thomas Wortham IV playground in the fall of 2010 during a two-day community-build event with volunteers from the Police Department, his family and friends and Friends of the Parks. The cost of the playground is expected to be $225,000. Contributions can be made to the Thomas Wortham IV Playground Fund in c/o Friends of the Parks, 17 N. State Street, Suite 1450, Chicago, IL 60602 or at www.fotp.org