News Coverage

Felicia Dechter, “Residents oppose proposed athletic field in Lincoln Park,” Lerner Skyline 30 May 2002

This article was written when KLPP was first formed early in 2002, when the group was still called “Citizens to Keep Lincoln Park Open”, and covers the beginning of the issue over Lincoln Park.

The article quotes Colleen Mueller, the district’s lakefront director, as she described that funding for the proposed stadium would come from the Chicago Park District, nearby Latin School (a private school located at 59 W. North Blvd.), and possibly other sources.

Mary Beth Meyer, a board member with North State Astor Lake Shore Drive Association, was quoted as saying “The main thing is that Lincoln Park is not for sale.”

Other attendees to the first opposition meeting were described as or quoted as:

“appalled at the thought that the Board of Education would be even considered for the partnership when the city’s schools are hurting so badly for money.”
“With all of these budget cuts,...I don’t think the alderman can stand the heat when people are being laid off.”
“Mayor (Richard) Daley wants us to be the greenest city in the world, and here we’re taking green space and making it an artificial surface...That doesn’t make sense.

The article also makes reference to the lack of any position by groups such as Friends of Lincoln Park and the Old Town Triangle Association.

Jodi E. Stapleton, “Greenery a balm for the senses; City, Park District work to add space in landscape,” Chicago Tribune 17 July 2002

While this article doesn’t mention the proposed athletic stadium in Lincoln Park, it does elaborate on the desire of Chicago, as a whole, to add more green space to the city.

Rodger Konow, north regions manager for the Park District, commented on the role of the Park District: “Our job is to provide green space, trees and plants everywhere. We truley are the gardens within the city....If we stay true to that, then we’re being true to the city of Chicago.”

“With any new, large residential planned development, we want parks as part of it,” said Benet Haller, central district project manager in chicago’s planning and development office.

The article goes on to describe many of the park improvements and reclamations that the City has been doing within the recent past, such as:

reclamation of the property between Division Street and the Seward Park fieldhouse and an expansion of the park at that location
the Park District’s acquisition of 2.5 acres at Erie and Kingsbury, as part of the Montgomery Ward redevolopment
the renovation of Washington Square
the renoviation of Connors Park
and several others.

We are currently aware of several more articles and editorials being written that strongly support the protection of Lincoln Park. As these articles are released, we will cover them on our site.

KLPP Media Release

(If your publication or organization wishes to reprint this release, please contact a KLPP representative on our Contact Info page for the most current version.)

PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER LINCOLN PARK LAND USE PROPOSAL

Open Park Space faces extinction if The Chicago Park District has way

Frisbee playing, picnicking, jogging, dog walking, baseball and a multitude of other passive unstructured family recreational activities enjoyed in Lincoln Park’s South Athletic fields area will need to find another place to happen if the Chicago Park District has it way. The Chicago Park District is seeking public and private partners, namely Chicago’s Latin School, donating 1/3 of the proposed $2.2M cost, in a bid to develop a sports complex consisting of an eight lane regulation size running track and Astroturf soccer field, smack dab in the middle of one of the most trafficked and overused parcels of Lincoln Park – the South Field area just north of LaSalle Drive.

Keep Lincoln Park Public (KLPP) is a group of Chicago residents organized in support of maintaining open green space, park preservation in Lincoln Park, and calling for the Chicago Park District to honor the reclamation of this area as per its own Lincoln Park Framework Plan. (page 41). The proposed outdoor complex will replace four acres of natural habitat with artificial turf, an artificial running surface, concrete bleachers and a four-foot high iron fence. KLPP takes issue with the Chicago Park District on a number of items related to this project, centered on developing this project in open parklands. 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”.

Keep Lincoln Park Public (KLPP) takes the position that this track/soccer facility is unrelated to historic land uses of Lincoln Park and is not dependent upon being in Lincoln Park and therefore suggest a facility of this nature would be better suited for a location other than public park lands. KLLP is not opposed to the building of such a facility, nor do we disagree that such a facility would be beneficial to the City of Chicago. Our position is that;

1) Lincoln Park Must Remain Public: The Lincoln Park Framework states emphatically that this area of Lincoln Park is already overburdened. We are concerned by the Park District’s indifference to the loss of many 80-year-old trees, as well as the only "open" grassy area in this section of the parkland, and the resulting environmental impact of noise pollution and increased temperature due to the removal of 4 acres of natural grass - artificial turf does not breathe.

2) Public v. Private: Daniel Burnham, the architect of Lincoln Park's original plan, states that the use of public land should serve the greatest good. The area currently welcomes a multitude of recreational activities, including family picnics, various community fairs and events, Frisbee, baseball daily Menomonee Boys and Girls Clubs activities, dog walkers, volleyball, tai chi, etc. Construction of this project will effectively eliminate the enjoyment of these populist activities, replacing this flexible, multi-use area with a structured, restricted one. The Chicago Park District has a responsibility to all of our citizens, not just the privileged few and special interest groups. We must not open up Lincoln Park to any private, well-financed, well-influenced, entity with designs on our precious public park space.

3) Who Is Going To Pay? The Latin School has proposed funding one-third of the $2.2 million dollar project that will benefit the schools own need for an athletic facility. That still leaves $1.4 million for taxpayers -- that without any estimate for cost overruns! Furthermore, construction costs are only the beginning; Maintenance costs will continue though the years and at taxpayers expense as part of the Chicago Park District budget. Our city suffers from a budget shortfall and anticipates layoffs to address serious financial problems. The Park's budget has been decreased due to cuts in state funding. Other city parks' requests for basic improvements have been denied due to these budget cuts. Why does the Chicago Park District propose incurring new construction and maintenance cost responsibilities, when so many of our other city parks are in disrepair and in need of funding?

4) Full Disclosure: The Chicago Park District has been less than forthcoming. First, community meetings, ostensibly arranged to inform the public about the track proposal, have been poorly publicized – KLPP has been key in notifying both those in favor and those opposed to the project of meetings. In addition, details about the plan remain sketchy. And In what might be described as a "bait and switch" operation, the Park District and The Latin School have added features (cornet bleachers) and the costs, not surprisingly, have increased by $1 million between the last two meetings. To date, the two-thirds cost that is to be incurred by taxpayers has been casually dismissed with nebulous talk of unspecified "government grants" (which is still taxpayer money). Just as the Park District has been unclear on the issue of costs, so too have they ignored the considerable environmental impact to this already overburdened area as stated in their own Framework Plan.

5) The Latin School Involvement: If this track/soccer field is really for the benefit and use of all our school children, then why haven't other sites with better access been considered? Specifically the site near North Career High School? A site closer to Payton and Lincoln Park high school, as well as Franklin and Sojourner Truth. The answer is simple: The Latin School's monetary contribution hinges on the field's convenient, immediate location to their school, if built in another location their funding will be eliminated.

For further information contact:

Nick Curran: 312.543.6905
Jeff Swanberg: 773.472.3212
Sharon O'Brien: 312.925.3567
John Mitchell: 312.482.9055

http://www.klpp.com

	News Coverage	KLPP Media Release
	News Coverage Felicia Dechter, “Residents oppose proposed athletic field in Lincoln Park,” Lerner Skyline 30 May 2002 This article was written when KLPP was first formed early in 2002, when the group was still called “Citizens to Keep Lincoln Park Open”, and covers the beginning of the issue over Lincoln Park. The article quotes Colleen Mueller, the district’s lakefront director, as she described that funding for the proposed stadium would come from the Chicago Park District, nearby Latin School (a private school located at 59 W. North Blvd.), and possibly other sources. Mary Beth Meyer, a board member with North State Astor Lake Shore Drive Association, was quoted as saying “The main thing is that Lincoln Park is not for sale.” Other attendees to the first opposition meeting were described as or quoted as: “appalled at the thought that the Board of Education would be even considered for the partnership when the city’s schools are hurting so badly for money.” “With all of these budget cuts,...I don’t think the alderman can stand the heat when people are being laid off.” “Mayor (Richard) Daley wants us to be the greenest city in the world, and here we’re taking green space and making it an artificial surface...That doesn’t make sense. The article also makes reference to the lack of any position by groups such as Friends of Lincoln Park and the Old Town Triangle Association. Jodi E. Stapleton, “Greenery a balm for the senses; City, Park District work to add space in landscape,” Chicago Tribune 17 July 2002 While this article doesn’t mention the proposed athletic stadium in Lincoln Park, it does elaborate on the desire of Chicago, as a whole, to add more green space to the city. Rodger Konow, north regions manager for the Park District, commented on the role of the Park District: “Our job is to provide green space, trees and plants everywhere. We truley are the gardens within the city....If we stay true to that, then we’re being true to the city of Chicago.” “With any new, large residential planned development, we want parks as part of it,” said Benet Haller, central district project manager in chicago’s planning and development office. The article goes on to describe many of the park improvements and reclamations that the City has been doing within the recent past, such as: reclamation of the property between Division Street and the Seward Park fieldhouse and an expansion of the park at that location the Park District’s acquisition of 2.5 acres at Erie and Kingsbury, as part of the Montgomery Ward redevolopment the renovation of Washington Square the renoviation of Connors Park and several others. We are currently aware of several more articles and editorials being written that strongly support the protection of Lincoln Park. As these articles are released, we will cover them on our site. *KLPP Media Release* (If your publication or organization wishes to reprint this release, please contact a KLPP representative on our Contact Info page for the most current version.) PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER LINCOLN PARK LAND USE PROPOSAL Open Park Space faces extinction if The Chicago Park District has way Frisbee playing, picnicking, jogging, dog walking, baseball and a multitude of other passive unstructured family recreational activities enjoyed in Lincoln Park’s South Athletic fields area will need to find another place to happen if the Chicago Park District has it way. The Chicago Park District is seeking public and private partners, namely Chicago’s Latin School, donating 1/3 of the proposed $2.2M cost, in a bid to develop a sports complex consisting of an eight lane regulation size running track and Astroturf soccer field, smack dab in the middle of one of the most trafficked and overused parcels of Lincoln Park – the South Field area just north of LaSalle Drive. Keep Lincoln Park Public (KLPP) is a group of Chicago residents organized in support of maintaining open green space, park preservation in Lincoln Park, and calling for the Chicago Park District to honor the reclamation of this area as per its own Lincoln Park Framework Plan. (page 41). The proposed outdoor complex will replace four acres of natural habitat with artificial turf, an artificial running surface, concrete bleachers and a four-foot high iron fence. KLPP takes issue with the Chicago Park District on a number of items related to this project, centered on developing this project in open parklands. 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”. Keep Lincoln Park Public (KLPP) takes the position that this track/soccer facility is unrelated to historic land uses of Lincoln Park and is not dependent upon being in Lincoln Park and therefore suggest a facility of this nature would be better suited for a location other than public park lands. KLLP is not opposed to the building of such a facility, nor do we disagree that such a facility would be beneficial to the City of Chicago. Our position is that; 1) Lincoln Park Must Remain Public: The Lincoln Park Framework states emphatically that this area of Lincoln Park is already overburdened. We are concerned by the Park District’s indifference to the loss of many 80-year-old trees, as well as the only "open" grassy area in this section of the parkland, and the resulting environmental impact of noise pollution and increased temperature due to the removal of 4 acres of natural grass - artificial turf does not breathe. 2) Public v. Private: Daniel Burnham, the architect of Lincoln Park's original plan, states that the use of public land should serve the greatest good. The area currently welcomes a multitude of recreational activities, including family picnics, various community fairs and events, Frisbee, baseball daily Menomonee Boys and Girls Clubs activities, dog walkers, volleyball, tai chi, etc. Construction of this project will effectively eliminate the enjoyment of these populist activities, replacing this flexible, multi-use area with a structured, restricted one. The Chicago Park District has a responsibility to all of our citizens, not just the privileged few and special interest groups. We must not open up Lincoln Park to any private, well-financed, well-influenced, entity with designs on our precious public park space. 3) Who Is Going To Pay? The Latin School has proposed funding one-third of the $2.2 million dollar project that will benefit the schools own need for an athletic facility. That still leaves $1.4 million for taxpayers -- that without any estimate for cost overruns! Furthermore, construction costs are only the beginning; Maintenance costs will continue though the years and at taxpayers expense as part of the Chicago Park District budget. Our city suffers from a budget shortfall and anticipates layoffs to address serious financial problems. The Park's budget has been decreased due to cuts in state funding. Other city parks' requests for basic improvements have been denied due to these budget cuts. Why does the Chicago Park District propose incurring new construction and maintenance cost responsibilities, when so many of our other city parks are in disrepair and in need of funding? 4) Full Disclosure: The Chicago Park District has been less than forthcoming. First, community meetings, ostensibly arranged to inform the public about the track proposal, have been poorly publicized – KLPP has been key in notifying both those in favor and those opposed to the project of meetings. In addition, details about the plan remain sketchy. And In what might be described as a "bait and switch" operation, the Park District and The Latin School have added features (cornet bleachers) and the costs, not surprisingly, have increased by $1 million between the last two meetings. To date, the two-thirds cost that is to be incurred by taxpayers has been casually dismissed with nebulous talk of unspecified "government grants" (which is still taxpayer money). Just as the Park District has been unclear on the issue of costs, so too have they ignored the considerable environmental impact to this already overburdened area as stated in their own Framework Plan. 5) The Latin School Involvement: If this track/soccer field is really for the benefit and use of all our school children, then why haven't other sites with better access been considered? Specifically the site near North Career High School? A site closer to Payton and Lincoln Park high school, as well as Franklin and Sojourner Truth. The answer is simple: The Latin School's monetary contribution hinges on the field's convenient, immediate location to their school, if built in another location their funding will be eliminated. For further information contact: Nick Curran: 312.543.6905 Jeff Swanberg: 773.472.3212 Sharon O'Brien: 312.925.3567 John Mitchell: 312.482.9055 http://www.klpp.com About KLPP \| Contact Info \| FAQ \| How can you help? \| In the News \| Newsletters & Flyers