Latest news with #ParkDistrict
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan police take toys on patrol to bolster community bonds; ‘It shows officers as real people'
Some Waukegan police officers had a different sort of partner on patrol with them last month — inanimate objects like teddy bears and soccer balls lent to the department by city youths. Sgt. Alejos Villalobos said some officers staged traffic stops with the toys, or made it look like they were helping deal with evidence. In one case, the item accompanied the officer to the shooting range. 'They did some staging with the toys,' Villalobos said. 'It gave them a chance to get out of their routine as patrol officers. Some of the officers were having fun with it.' The officers were participating in the fifth-annual Toy Ride Along Program jointly operated by the police department and the Waukegan Park District through much of May, where children's toys become partners of the city police. Jonathan Cochrane, a recreation specialist with the Park District who operates the program, said children of all ages were asked to bring a favorite toy to the Fieldhouse Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center by May 8. Once the toys were collected, Cochrane said they were taken to the police department, where they were assigned to a 'partner' with whom they rode along in a squad car for as long as two weeks before going back to the Park District and the children. Participating children then received more than the return of the stuffed animal, sports equipment or other possession. Cochrane said there was a 'goodie bag' from the police filled with pictures and other mementoes. 'They got pictures in the bag so they could see where their toys were, and how they were used,' Cochrane said. 'This is a good collaborative effort between the police and the Park District. It's a really cool idea.' Along with the pictures, Villalobos said the youngsters received a certificate from the police documenting the occasion, a rubber police car, sticker badges for a 'junior police officer' and more. Police Commander George Valko of the Community Policing Division, said the program helps develop a relationship with the youth in the community at a young age. They are entrusting something of importance to them to a member of the police department. 'The toy means a lot to these kids,' Valko said. 'It could be a baby doll they've had all their lives. It means a lot to our officers to take care of it. It's good for our community to be part of this. It shows a different side of the officers, too.' Officers volunteer to take the toys on a 'ride-along.' Villalobos said different departments, like patrol, criminal investigation and community policing, all get involved. The program started when the COVID pandemic limited ways police could interact with community members. Community relations is another important ingredient to the program. Valko said that at some point, a person may remember the officer with his or her toy from the pictures and see them around town. 'They might talk about it,' Valko said. 'It serves as a bridge to the community. It shows officers as real people.'
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Officials, community mull future of Oak Brook's endangered Fordon horse barn
A historic horse barn in Oak Brook that is owned by the Oak Brook Park District faces an uncertain future as community leaders determine whether to repurpose, relocate or demolish the structure. What initially was a very local issue drew heightened regional awareness in early May when the nonprofit preservation group Landmarks Illinois placed the barn on its 10 most endangered historic places in Illinois for 2025. Known as the Fordon horse barn, the structure on Saddle Brook Drive just south of 35th Street in Oak Brook was built around 1930 and has been used by the Park District for storage for over 25 years. Situated on a hill in Saddle Brook Park, the barn resembles an English barn built to accommodate hay, livestock and farm equipment, and it is the only remaining barn in Oak Brook with ties to town founder Paul Butler's interest in the sport of polo, said Elizabeth Arts, the president of the Oak Brook Historical Society. Recently, the Saddle Brook Community Association homeowners group became concerned with the condition of the barn and feared the barn's condition would lead to its demolition. The group began discussions with the Park District about potentially leasing the barn site, said Alan Koren, the president of the Saddle Brook Community Association's board. 'We were turned down, (so) we widened our preservation efforts to the entire Oak Brook community,' Koren said. 'We realized that preserving the barn was more of an Oak Brook issue rather than a Saddle Brook issue alone. The barn represents the equestrian past of once-undeveloped Oak Brook.' Laure Kosey, the Park District's executive director, said her board and staff are not necessarily exploring demolishing the barn, despite some community concerns. The district held an open house at the barn on April 26 and is assessing survey feedback from that event, she said. No one disputes that the barn needs work. 'At this time, the Fordon horse barn needs substantial maintenance to the roof, gutters (and) soffits, as well as the exterior needs to be repainted,' Kosey said. 'The Park District is exploring all options, not just demolition. We are presently getting feedback for adaptive reuse such as the ability to occupy it, as well as moving it to another location. Another location has not been identified at this time.' Kosey said that the Park District has been working with the village of Oak Brook, the Oak Brook Historical Society and the Saddle Brook Homeowners Association. 'Our next steps are to have an engineer and architect look at the structure to see if it is sound and of any historical significance,' Kosey said. Oak Brook's regional claims to fame include its upscale namesake outdoor shopping mall, Oakbrook Center, along with office buildings along the I-88 corridor and high-end subdivisions, many of which are gated. But focusing on those elements gives short shrift to the village's historic sites, said Arts, the Historical Society president. Three Oak Brook sites — Graue Mill, the Stuyvesant Peabody mansion and Butler School — are listed on the National Park Services' National Register of Historic Places. Several other Oak Brook locations — the Graue House, the Fuller House, St. John's Community Church and York Tavern — also possess significant historic importance, she said. 'I don't think the Oak Brook Park District realized the historic significance of the barn,' Arts said. 'Once they took the time to listen to the residents and evaluate its history, they were enlightened and began looking into options for the community. The Oak Brook Historical Society is so pleased that the residents and Historical Society itself were given time to research all aspects of the horse barn.' The barn takes its name from Jerome 'Jerry' Fordon, a highly respected, postwar polo player who with his wife, Diana, owned the barn and a 60-acre farm in Oak Brook from the early 1940s until the 1970s. 'I went to Oak Brook 35 years ago because of the horses,' Fordon told the Tribune's Dorothy Collin in 1976.
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Climate
- Chicago Tribune
Neighbors ban together to preserve open space at Washington Square Park during maintenance
Since its inception in 1842, Washington Square Park has seen its fair share of eras. As the oldest park in Chicago, it was the landing spot for many people who lost their homes after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The space earned the name 'Bughouse Square' in the early 1900s when people would come to the park to stand on soapboxes and crates to give long lectures about their theories, passions and ideologies. Now, the Near North Side's nearly 3-acre landmark park is frequented year-round by residents and visitors alike — even in the bitter wintertime when the foliage is dead and the ground is snowed over. But like any green space, the square needs its maintenance and upkeep. City officials say that in recent years, the park's grass has significantly deteriorated and needs to be aerated and seeded. The original plan, initiated by the Washington Square Park Advisory Council, was to close off all four grassy quadrants from September 2025 to spring 2026, making those areas inaccessible to residents for nearly eight months. But for the residents of the neighborhood — particularly the dog owners — that plan felt disrespectful. 'I was shocked,' Nicole Barron, a local resident, said. 'I'm here two to three times a day. I have a dog and we don't have an outdoor yard, so this is our only outdoor space I can bring my dog.' The fervent pushback from the neighbors appeared to catch the city by surprise. At a May 14 meeting at the Newberry Library, over a hundred people packed the room to advocate for the city to leave some grassy areas open while the city completes its beautification plan. The city changed course after the meeting and says it will take a phased approach to the aerating and seeding, scheduled to begin this fall. 'Washington Square Park has a formal architectural design that has allowed the Park District to work on one quadrant at a time for the past several years,' Michele Lemons, spokesperson for the Chicago Park District, said. 'We intend to continue this approach this fall by closing access to sections of the park to aerate and seed to restore the park's green areas. This will allow public access to sections of the park while other sections undergo restoration work.' Lemons said cost for materials and labor are absorbed in routine park operating expenses, but did not respond to a question how much the project will cost overall. But the threat of the park's closure, even if only temporary, seemed to spark a sense of unity in the neighborhood, reminding dog owners, parkgoers and neighboring schools what the historic park means to them and the community. 'People have been calling me, like, 'the girl that spoke at the dog meeting,' and like recognizing me at the Starbucks nearby,' Courtney Clay, who frequents the park with her cocker spaniel, said. 'And they'll say things like, 'Thank you for saving our park.'' It is also a reflection of how the city's oldest park, which served as the site of Chicago's first gay pride march, has evolved over the years. The park was deeded in 1842 by developers eager to boost land values in the area. It was at first surrounded by the large homes of the well-to-do, even after the 1871 fire leveled most of the nearby buildings. Eventually, after the wealthy had moved to the north and east, it became a gathering place for those who lived in nearby rooming houses, hotels and small apartments. And many of those people liked to get on soapboxes and speak their minds. Some famous folks were attracted to this free speech oasis, such people as Carl Sandburg, Emma Goldman and Eugene V. Debs. Others were anonymous anarchists, dreamers, poets, preachers and lunatics.'Washington Square Park is a special place, but it's not a unique story about how green spaces evolve,' said Taylor Evans Ghosal, who worked on a documentary about the park's history. 'Green spaces and parks in general, they evolve. They evolve and change to fit the communities that surround them, and I think they're just a really interesting microcosm of their community.' Six Loyola University students have captured the magic of Bughouse Square, the city's oldest parkThat was a sentiment echoed by neighbors who frequent the park, some of whom emphasized that the park was not always a gathering place for the immediate community. 'When I came here, there really wasn't a park like it is now. It was pretty scary. It had a lot of trees, but it did not have a fence, and it wasn't really maintained,' said Mary Lou Sydel, who moved to the area in 1985. Sydel, who is part of the Washington Square Park Advisory Council, also noted that when she first moved to the park, it was not frequented by her neighbors. In the 1990s, Washington Square Park was given landmark status and more people started to invest in the park to make it a more welcoming space. After the pandemic, Sydel noticed a boom in people using the park as a gathering space — particularly those with dogs. Now, nearly every day between 4 and 6 p.m., Sydel finds dozens of people enjoying the space and frequenting it to play with dogs in particular. Some of her neighbors say that if it were not for Washington Square Park, they would have left the area long ago. That was the case for Rhonda Sanderson, a longtime resident who felt herself become more involved with her neighborhood during the pandemic when she started frequenting the park more. 'If there weren't the dogs at that park, it would not have any kind of atmosphere like it has. It is joyous,' Rhonda Sanderson said. 'People stop their cars to watch dogs play. Tourists walk through here … and they just go, 'Oh my God.' When they sit down, they're so fascinated with the interaction of all of us with the dogs, how we're all friendly and busy.' At the same time, the proliferation of dogs has caused some tensions in the park, with some neighbors citing issues with off-leash dogs, torn-up grass and a general frustration with how the dogs appear to take over the space at times. 'I'm a dog owner, and I get it. I want to have a place to let my dog run free, but Washington Square Park is not a dog park,' said Willa Lang, executive director of the Chicago Parks Foundation. Lang emphasized that due to the park's landmark status, it is not possible to make the area a dog park. 'Off-leash dog activity significantly contributes to turf damage,' said Lemons, spokesperson for the Park District. 'The Chicago Park District Code states that domestic animals must be continuously restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length, except in areas designated as 'Dog Friendly Areas.'' Dog owners who violate leash laws are subject to a $300 fine, according to the city's municipal code. If the violation results in 'severe injury' to another person, the fine could run up to $10,000. That tension came out at the May 14 meeting, which some owners say have prompted them and others to be more mindful about their behavior at the park. 'Everyone's trying to get along and be mindful that when there's children out there, the dog should be on the leash,' Brian Berg, a local resident who helped get the word out about the initial closure plan, said. 'And so I think everyone's trying to do better, and everybody's got a stake in their park. And I think that's, as a result of being listened to, that's one of the positives that comes out of that, too.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tinley Park, Park District pair up after spat on Fourth of July fireworks
After a two-year separation that saw Tinley Park hold its own July 4 fireworks shows, the village and Park District are collaborating this year on an Independence Day event. It will be held at the Park District's McCarthy Park, which had long been the site of the Park District's Fourth of July event and fireworks show until 2023. The last two years, Tinley Park had its own show at the 80th Avenue Metra commuter train station. There has been friction between the village and Park District over control of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center, which the Park District bought from the state last year for $1 and has plans to redevelop for recreational uses. The village had also sought to acquire the 280-acre property, northwest of Harlem Avenue and 183rd Street, with plans to develop it for property and sale tax generating entertainment uses. The Village Board at a recent meeting approved a contract worth $50,000 for the upcoming fireworks show. The joint Independence Day event will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. on July 4 at McCarthy Park,16801 S. 80th Ave. The village said music by Five Guys Named Moe will start the day at 4 p.m. and food and beverages will be for sale from local vendors. Bingo, inflatables for kids, a magic show, gun salute and flag-raising ceremony as well as a 7 p.m. concert by Spoken Four, are part of the day's activities. The fireworks show set to patriotic music is set for 9:30 p.m. 'We're excited to be collaborating with the Park District to bring Tinley Park's iconic fireworks show back to McCarthy Park,' Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz said in a news release. 'We are thrilled to restore our annual fireworks show at McCarthy Park this July 4th,' Park Board President Lisa O'Donovan said in the release. 'This celebration has been a highlight of the summer in Tinley Park for over 40 years.' Tinley Park police Chief Tom Tilton said his officers are preparing for the event. 'We're utilizing new technologies and new techniques to provide a safe Fourth of July experience for everyone,' Tilton said in the news release. 'Residents can rest easy knowing we're taking every precaution.' In early 2023, Tinley Park opted to hold its own fireworks show, prompting the Park District to cancel the Independence Day event it had held at McCarthy Park. The village again, last year, held its own fireworks show at the 80th Avenue Metra station in conjunction with Ribfest. In 2023, Park Board members said the district was being retaliated against for its interest in the former mental health center. The Illinois General Assembly had cleared, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed, legislation that year clearing the path for the Park District to acquire the site. The state also earmarked $15 million for the Park District to use to clean up environmental problems and demolish buildings on the property. The Park District said in early 2023 it was denied a permit to hold its annual Running O' the Green 8k race March 5 of that year, the same day as the village's Irish Parade. The district said it had for many years held the race on the same day as the village parade but the race that year was rescheduled. The Park District also said it had to find other sources of fuel for district vehicles and de-icing salt for Park District properties after Tinley Park cut off long-standing supply agreements for both products. Park Board members, in a letter early in 2023 to village officials, said 'it is simply not feasible to work with you on any event when the village is engaged in this kind of behavior.' The district, in its letter, said the obstacles that had been thrown up were 'retaliation and punishment' for the district.
Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Tinley Park, Park District pair up after spat on Fourth of July fireworks
After a two-year separation that saw Tinley Park hold its own July 4 fireworks shows, the village and Park District are collaborating this year on an Independence Day event. It will be held at the Park District's McCarthy Park, which had long been the site of the Park District's Fourth of July event and fireworks show until 2023. The last two years, Tinley Park had its own show at the 80th Avenue Metra commuter train station. There has been friction between the village and Park District over control of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center, which the Park District bought from the state last year for $1 and has plans to redevelop for recreational uses. The village had also sought to acquire the 280-acre property, northwest of Harlem Avenue and 183rd Street, with plans to develop it for property and sale tax generating entertainment uses. The Village Board at a recent meeting approved a contract worth $50,000 for the upcoming fireworks show. The joint Independence Day event will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. on July 4 at McCarthy Park,16801 S. 80th Ave. The village said music by Five Guys Named Moe will start the day at 4 p.m. and food and beverages will be for sale from local vendors. Bingo, inflatables for kids, a magic show, gun salute and flag-raising ceremony as well as a 7 p.m. concert by Spoken Four, are part of the day's activities. The fireworks show set to patriotic music is set for 9:30 p.m. 'We're excited to be collaborating with the Park District to bring Tinley Park's iconic fireworks show back to McCarthy Park,' Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz said in a news release. 'We are thrilled to restore our annual fireworks show at McCarthy Park this July 4th,' Park Board President Lisa O'Donovan said in the release. 'This celebration has been a highlight of the summer in Tinley Park for over 40 years.' Tinley Park police Chief Tom Tilton said his officers are preparing for the event. 'We're utilizing new technologies and new techniques to provide a safe Fourth of July experience for everyone,' Tilton said in the news release. 'Residents can rest easy knowing we're taking every precaution.' In early 2023, Tinley Park opted to hold its own fireworks show, prompting the Park District to cancel the Independence Day event it had held at McCarthy Park. The village again, last year, held its own fireworks show at the 80th Avenue Metra station in conjunction with Ribfest. In 2023, Park Board members said the district was being retaliated against for its interest in the former mental health center. The Illinois General Assembly had cleared, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed, legislation that year clearing the path for the Park District to acquire the site. The state also earmarked $15 million for the Park District to use to clean up environmental problems and demolish buildings on the property. The Park District said in early 2023 it was denied a permit to hold its annual Running O' the Green 8k race March 5 of that year, the same day as the village's Irish Parade. The district said it had for many years held the race on the same day as the village parade but the race that year was rescheduled. The Park District also said it had to find other sources of fuel for district vehicles and de-icing salt for Park District properties after Tinley Park cut off long-standing supply agreements for both products. Park Board members, in a letter early in 2023 to village officials, said 'it is simply not feasible to work with you on any event when the village is engaged in this kind of behavior.' The district, in its letter, said the obstacles that had been thrown up were 'retaliation and punishment' for the district.
