Chicago's lakefront will reopen soon

[VIDEO] The above from CBS 2 shows that bars will be allowed to reopen on Wednesday and the lakefront will be opened next week. This isn't exactly breaking news, however, I'm glad that the coronavirus hasn't entirely ruined summer.

Of course with this in mind, authorities are still concerned about the coronavirus. As you see in the video from Mayor Lightfoot on twitter you still have to maintain social distancing for example or take any other precautions necessary.

Lori Lightfoot has had a rough period the last two or so weeks, but I have to admit this video you're about to see is pretty hilarious. At the end a cutout of a stern mayor in earth tones replaced by a more relaxed mayor in summer white.

We each did our part to flatten the curve, and now we are slowly reopening the City. Let's keep up the good work—let's #BeSafeChicago. Thank you for being in this together. pic.twitter.com/cHg1cFZ1G0

— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) June 15, 2020

I'm happy that our city is taking one more step towards returning to normal after two months of lockdown and after a brief period of civil unrest.

Coronavirus updates #COVID19

I don't want to share too many stats with you on this. We already get daily updates if you follow the news especially from the federal and state gov't. We now have 330 new cases of coronavirus the statewide total is now 1,865 across 35 of Illinois' 102 counties.

EDIT: According to the IL Dept. of Public Health there are now 19 deaths from the coronavirus which should include the the three other deaths reported today. Among the three deaths one was in Cook County.

Three more counties reportedly have coronavirus cases this time Douglas, Marshall, and Morgan counties.

330 new cases, 3 new deaths and it’s now in Stateville https://t.co/NhgYCb9tM4

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) March 25, 2020

Also noted that two correction officers and one inmate at Stateville has tested positive for coronavirus. We got a lot of people out there still working and their not just in retail or medicine. I'm referring to our first responders especially the police and fire. There was news that someone walked into a police station here in the city and coughed, that's a very petty and irresponsible prank if there was one. I'm glad he was arrested for his trouble.

Pullman Community Playground Build Day/Block Party

Found this flyer in an e-mail blast from state senator Elgie Sims

Pullman Community Playground
Build Day/Block Party
August 10, 2018
10440-10444 S. Corliss
Building begins 7:45 AM
Ribbon cutting 2:30 PM

August 7, 2018 Meyering Park National Night Out

Presented by the 3rd Chicago Police District

National Night Out
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Meyering Park
7140 S. King Drive

Refer to flyer below!

Peace in Cole Park August 17 & 18

You might have seen this in a e-mail blast from 6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer earlier this summer. Peace in the Park - After Dark: Overnight Camping Experience. To take place in Cole Park - 361 E. 85th Street from 2:00 PM on August 17, 2018 to 8:00 PM on August 18, 2018.

You may have seen some blurbs on this blog about such an event overtime on this blog.

Curbed Chicago: 10 notable Chicago projects designed by black architects

One of the noted masterpieces by Black architects include the library at Chicago State University. Feel free to check the full list over at Curbed Chicago in the tweet below.

10 notable Chicago projects designed by black architects https://t.co/EjczZajGmL pic.twitter.com/dC3LLToasM

— Curbed Chicago (@curbedchicago) February 20, 2018

Here's an ig post showing the library at Chicago State shared in the Curbed Chicago piece.

Took these shots of the Shedd School property

On my walk to Pullman a few days ago. It was a wet rainy day as depicted in these photos. The first two pics are of the front one is similar to the shot you see in the Shedd School blog's header.

200 E. 99th Street

200 E. 99th Street

Here's the backlot a field that I used to play around in during recess and of course before school started the kids would play in this field also. Fun days and sadly no longer common. I'll explain after this pic.

Looking from 98th & Indiana

Shedd School has been closed since about 2013 and the local community organization Roseland Heights Community Association has been concerned about a zoning change for this property. It has been zoned for industrial use and therefore a concern is now seen over this greenspace just a block away from Michigan Avenue.

As a former student there, it's unfortunate that classes are no longer held here. However, my hope is that the greenspace remains for the community. If the building remains then it shall be used for the benefit of the community.

Sidenote - I've been using this accessory on my smartphone called an olliclip. Basically this is something you can slip onto your iPhone, iPad or Android devices and take shots with various lenses to enhance your mobile photography. That's why one of the pics above seem unusual.

Tribune: Developers riding 606 trail deeper into Northwest Side

The 606 - Bloomingdale Trail

We've followed from time to time the plans to turn some of the Englewood area's unused railroad lines into elevated recreational space. Here's hoping that they're taking a look at what's going on with the 606 trail up north. Hopefully planners are taking some ideas from that.

You may have seen this article in Sunday's Chicago Tribune

Along portions of Chicago's 606 trail, it's hard to tell the construction workers from the construction workers.

Some are working on the much-anticipated, elevated recreation space along Bloomingdale Avenue expected to open in June. Others are building homes, condominiums and apartment buildings nearby that will bring new residents into neighborhoods and up the steps to the trail's access points.

The $95 million transformation of an unused elevated railway spur into 2.7 miles of park and trail space is designed as a gateway between neighborhoods on the northwest side. But it also is helping fuel housing development that has moved past Western Avenue, pushing up property values and attracting new residents.

At the same time, the changes are likely to raise concerns about gentrification and the inability of some residents to afford more neighborhoods in Chicago. From 2007 to 2011, more than 23 percent of renters in Logan Square, 34 percent in Humboldt Park, 20 percent in West Town and 26 percent in Hermosa were paying 50 percent or more of their income on housing, according to Census data.

Read the whole thing!

DNA Info: A Bloomingdale Trail for Englewood? City Moves To Get Train Tracks for Park

DNAinfo/Tanveer Ali

We've heard about this for quite about and seems it's coming closer to reality for Englewood residents:

The city is taking a major step that could result in the creation of a 1.7-mile-long park and trail system on an unused rail line in Englewood, a project similar to the The Bloomingdale Trail and "The 606" system being built on the North Side.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Office formally submitted an ordinance to the City Council last week proposing that the city exchange land with Norfolk Southern railway company.

The railway would get land near 63rd Street to expand its rail yards, and the city would get a stretch of elevated rail line north of 59th Street between Hoyne Avenue and Wallace Street that has been unused for decades. No money would change hands.

City officials and community leaders say the land swap is the first major step in remaking the rail line into a space for public use.

"Acquisition is the first step to any plan," said Peter Strazzabosco, deputy commissioner of the city's Department of Housing and Economic Development. "The proposal is being envisioned as a linear open space that could be publicly accessible as a park."

Ah the Norfolk Southern Railway, the company that's buying up some significant land in Englewood for an expanded railyard. It's reared it's ugly head although there were some agreements in place especially with the possibility of more parkland.

What do you think about making a former rail line into parkland?

Speed cameras coming to Abbott Park near end of September

According to the Chicago Tribune with an explanation of this program:

Just as most Chicagoans were heading into the holiday weekend and tuning out the news, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the full list of 50 locations where the city will put up ticket-issuing speed cameras near parks and schools by the end of the year.

The Emanuel administration previously had announced 12 of the locations where one or more of the cops in a box will be keeping an eye on motorists during school and park hours. A news release issued Friday afternoon includes the other 38 sites. Each camera, like those already up, will trigger warning tickets during the first 30 days. After that, drivers exceeding the speed limit by between 6 and 10 mph will get $35 tickets in the mail. Those exceeding the limit by more than 10 mph will get $100 tickets.

Near parks, the cameras will be active when the parks are open, generally from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. The speed limits near parks is 30 mph.

Near schools, the cameras will be active from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on school days. From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., the speed limit in those areas is 20 mph when children are present and 30 mph when they are not. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the limit is 30 mph.

Under state law, the city can install the cameras at up to 300 schools and parks in designated safety zones. A Tribune analysis showed they could cover nearly half the city.

The article contains the full listing of all locations where these cameras are expected to be installed.

Hat-tip Uptown Update.

The Forgotten Land: 80th Wabash

Most residents of Chatham are aware that the Chicago Park District owns Cole Park, Brown Park and Tuley Park. But, most are not aware that this is not the only land they own in Chatham. The Chicago Park District also owns a parcel at the Northeast corner of 80th Wabash. There were several initiatives under the Daley administration to clear vacant properties that had become a nuisance to the community and transfer them over to the Chicago Park District to be used for recreation of some sort.

This lot has been vacant for some time now and this is the time the Chicago Park District is preparing their Capital Budget for the next 5 years. So what would you like to see happen with this site?

Click here to take survey

NOTE: The above survey is not endorsed by the Chicago Park District nor The 6th Ward Aldermandic office. The survey results are non binding and will be used for research purposes.

Trail Prospect: Rail Viaduct in Englewood

Recently Bill Barr on his blog linked to a post at Community Beat about making some of Englewood's abandoned railroad embankments into trails. Then I realized there are some plans being made for exactly that. Hopefully these plans will come to reality in the near future!

BTW, Baar specifically mentioned the Bloomingdale line on the northwest side of town that there is also a wish to turn into some trails.

A panorama

Click for a larger resolution

EDIT 6:56 PM Just uploaded this pic to Flickr to provide for a better resolution. Click the pic above or this link.

At random I just decided to get a panorama of Abbott Park (49 E. 95th St) on Friday afternoon. It was not long after dismissal at the nearby Harlan High School. If you see anyone in vests they're volunteers for CPS who work for an initiative called Safe Passages. You will see these individuals in yellow reflective vests not only before school starts on any given day but also at dismissal time. Also you will see the goal posts up and there is football practice going on at this time.

Want to join a dog park committee?

6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer is looking for people interested in joining such a committee. Information provided in a recent GCA e-mail blast:

Alderman Sawyer's office is looking for people interested in joining his "Dog Park" committee.

Several area residents have expressed an interest in creating one for our area.

If you would like to join the committee, please contact via email (include your name, phone number and address):

• service @ 6thwardchicago.com
• Or call the Alderman's office at 773.635.0006 to volunteer.

Here's more information from the Chicago Park District on "Dog friendly areas". Here's a page for creating dog friendly areas.

Chicago Park District Financial Assistance Program

Summer is around the corner, and the best way to keep the children of our communities safe, is to keep them occupied.  The Chicago Park District has many free-to-low cost programs for youth and teens alike this summer.  Thanks to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Summer Safety Surplus grant, we are able to offer financial assistance to thousands of children for day camp.   Applicants must provide proof of participation in the Illinois Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Applicants who do not participate in the school lunch program can prove eligibility by providing income verification (i.e., 2012 recent pay stubs for last 30 days, AFDC / TANF case #, a copy of a recent IRS 1040 form). All information submitted is confidential.   To apply for financial assistance, bring copies of the required documents to the desired park through June 11 during normal park hours. I have attached the financial assistance flyer for your convenience. 
  If you know of any families that may be able to take advantage of this opportunity, please feel free to share this information. Chicago Park District Day Camps run June 25^th through August 3^rd.   Contact your local park for details.

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

YoChicago: All about Chicago's Chatham neighborhood

[VIDEO: PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4] Worlee Glover drove Joe Zekas of YoChicago around Chatham earlier in the past week. They started at Mather's at 83rd & Wabash and took a tour around Chatham's tree lined streets. We saw some of the modernist homes in there in addition to the unique blue replica of the White House near 84th & Michigan. Also Worlee and Joe drove by Cole Park and saw the memorial there for the late Officer Thomas Wortham (described as one of our community's future leaders). As well as driving by St. Mark's Methodist Church (8441 S. St. Lawrence).

The first video is an introduction which basically sets up the lay of the land. Part 2, a question about whether or not the younger generation will return to this community was asked by Joe Zekas during the course of the video. Part 3 an important question about the role of churches in Chatham. Part 4 has a lot of talk about the parks and neighborhood schools.

The YoChicago videos with Worlee are below. Expect there to be three more videos before this series is done with YoChicago.

Special note, I was very curious about this store called Flawless at 87th & Rhodes. This is where Part 4 ends and while not much was said about this "boutique" we know a lot more about the building in which it is located. Also it's right across the street from Ald. Sawyer's service office.

Movies in the Park -- 6th ward area movies

Sent to us from Mike Harris, from the recommendation of Uptown Update (Thanks, UU!)

Mike did a great job plugging the information into a map to help us find locations throughout the city

Friday, July 30, 2010
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner NR
Tuley Park
501 E. 90th Pl.
312.747.6763
(This movie is a part of Chicago Park District's Cultural Center "Film 'n Fun" Series)


Thursday, August 12, 2010
Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs PG
Lorraine Dixon Park
8701 S. Dauphin Ave.
312.747.6763


Saturday, August 21, 2010
The Blind Side PG-13
Avalon Park
1215 E. 83rd St.
312.747.6015


Monday, August 30, 2010 The Blind Side PG-13
Grand Crossing Park
7655 S. Ingleside Ave.
312.747.6158

The full list of Movies in The Park is available here.

Just wondering...

Why does Cricket Hill (on the North Side, east of Uptown) have so many movies (6 movies! 3 definitely for kids, 3 more geared for adults)?

Why do we have the same movie playing twice in our area?

Wouldn't it be great if we had a neighborhood ice rink?

The Chatham Avalon Park Community Council blog has occasional posts with the title "Would it be nice if..." where they imagine some kind of business would be at a certain location.

Yet they seemed to have missed completely an area that apparently is owned CAPCC, with the original intention of a community center. The area is the size of 6 home lots.

Here's are two crazy ideas that might work.

That area ought to be made into a community ice skating rink.

We have 2 skating rinks in the area, on on 87th and another on 77th. i know they are different activities, but it's not a stretch that fans of roller skating might want to do ice skating, right?

The nearest rink is all the way by University of Chicago, which has plenty of development.

If the businesses allow it, there is PLENTY of nearby parking.

The skating season (at outdoor parks) with the Chicago Park District will have ended as of this evening..  But that gives us plenty of time to get grants and community momentum.

During the summer it could be a community garden. Depending on how the ice skating rink is set up, perhaps structures could be built above the garden area that could be taken down in Spring (such as a sitting area, or where one can put on the skates).

Right now that area is desolate. But so much could be done with it. These ideas are things that could be done for a season, but then easily undone if another development is able to take root.

Isn't something better than perpetual nothing?

Gridiron

In Abbott Park where during the course of the football season the Harlan Falcons would play most of their football games. This isn't a particularly proper football field with markings and hashmarks but adequate if you don't feel like attending football games at any venue that requires some change to attend.

BTW, is there anyone out there who can tell me how Harlan did on the football field this year.

This pic was taken on Veteran's Day.