Q: Where is the site of the proposed development?
A: The South Field area of Lincoln Park. This area
is just north of LaSalle Drive and adjacent to the softball field.
Specifically, it is the area between the softball fields, the South
Lagoon, and the pond south of Lincoln Park Zoo.
Q: Why should this land be protected?
A: The stated land use policies within the Lincoln
Park Framework Plan (page 9 of plan) call for: “Open park space
and the promotion of open space as the primary land use in the park
by seeking opportunities to decrease built space and paved areas determined
to be unnecessary and unessential to the ongoing character of the park’s
primary recreational, leisure and cultural activities”. Further
the plan states that policies should “Respect and enhance existing
land uses of historic significance and prohibit new facilities and land
uses that are unrelated to historic land uses and that are not dependent
upon being in Lincoln Park”.
A sports complex / running track does not meet this goal.
Q. The Park District says this land has been designated for recreational use. Doesn’t the sports complex fulfill that obligation?
A: This area is already being used by thousands of
Chicagoans, their visitors, and tourists every year for a variety of
recreational activities including: family picnics, various community fairs, fundraisers and
events, volleyball, Frisbee, daily Boys and Girls Club activities,
dog walking, tai chi, etc. Any further development in this area would eliminate
these family activities for thousands of Chicagoans.
Q: Is KLPP anti-development?
A: KLLP is NOT opposed to the building of such a facility,
nor does it disagree that such a facility would be beneficial to the
City of Chicago. KLPP suggests a facility of this nature would be better
suited for a location other than public park lands.
Q: The information provided by KLPP is different than what I have heard
from other sources. Why?
A: The Chicago Park District has been less than forthcoming
with regard to the plans for the sports complex and when their meetings
on the matter will take place.
In addition, details about the plan remain sketchy. Also, in what might
be described as a "bait and switch" operation, the Park District
and The Latin School have added features (i.e. corner bleachers) to
the proposed plan and the costs, not surprisingly, have increased by
$1 million between the last two meetings.
Because the Park District and The Latin School have refused to hold
these proceedings in an open public manner, no single group (until the
formation of KLPP) was given a complete answer to any question regarding
the plan to privatize Lincoln Park.
KLPP members have worked diligently to consolidate the information on
the plan and have begun to hold the Chicago Park District and The Latin
School accountable for their responses. KLPP continues to strive to
maintain the most complete and accurate information on the plans.
Q: Where will the funding for this sports complex come from?
A: The Latin School has proposed to fund one-third
of the $2.2 million dollar project that will benefit the school's own
need for an athletic facility. That still leaves $1.4 million to be
funded by taxpayers -- without any estimate for cost overruns or maintenance
on the facility after completion!
At a time when our city suffers from a budget shortfall, the Park’s
budget has been decreased due to cuts in state funding and other Chicago
parks’ requests for basic improvements have been denied due to
these cuts, where is this $1.4+ million dollars and annual maintenance
supposed to come from? Chicago public schools, other Park District parks
and projects, or increased taxes?
No one knows, since the Park District has refused to discuss the matter
openly.
Q: Why haven’t other sites been considered by the Park
District - specifically, the sites near North Career High School, a
site closer to Payton and Lincoln Park High School or Franklin and Sojourner
Truth?
A: A spokesperson for the Latin School said the monetary contribution would be withdrawn if the field is built in a location other than the South Field at Lincoln Park.
Q. What other expenses are likely to be incurred?
A: So far the park district has not addressed the issues of additional costs which will include specialized maintenance equipment, replacement cost for damaged turf, security, utilities, and other expenses. Additionally the life span of this turf is around 8 years, so we'll be facing this issue again.
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