Greetings all,
JPW Issues in the spotlight
Transparency! Community input on major decisions! Priority in Jackson Park for local uses and local users! These issues, first defined by JPW with regard to Project 120’s plans, have now taken front and center stage as pushback against the Chicago Park District’s plan to for an elite golf course in Jackson Park and South Shore grows. A partial survey of recent print media shows the JPW concerns are widespread:
Yesterday’s 01/13/17 Tribune editorial takes up the issue, with a headline asserting “Big plans on the South Side for a Tiger Woods Course can’t shut out locals.” The editorial raises major concerns about backroom decision-making, the lack of community input, and potential adverse impacts on local park uses and park users. Read the full editorial at:
A Tribune article (01/12/17) highlighted the contradiction between Park District assertions that the plan was “not a done deal” and the Park Board’s decision the day before to move ahead with a contract to start on the project. Read the article at http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/golf/ct-jackson-park-golf-course-begins-met-20170111-story.html.
A Sun-Times article (01/10/17) highlighted a call by Friends of the Parks Executive Director Juanita Irizarry for the Park District board to call off a vote for the contract starting work. Read the article at http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/park-board-urged-to-call-off-vote-on-golf-course-contract/
There have been multiple articles in the Hyde Park Herald and DNAInfo as well as in other sources. An interview with JPW’s Margaret Schmid aired on Chicago Tonight on 01/11/17, and the controversy was included in last night’s Chicago Tonight’s Week in Review.
What’s next?
Park District CEO Mike Kelly will be at Alderman Leslie Hairston’s January 24 ward meeting to talk about the golf course. JPW and others will be urging a huge turnout. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE THERE – NUMBERS SPEAK VOLUMES. The meeting will be from 6 to 8 at the South Shore Fine Arts Academy, 1415 E. 70th St. There is a small parking lot off of Dorchester, to the west of the school, and there is free parking on the streets. You will hear from us again before this meeting with more information, including, we hope, the exact time Mr. Kelly will be there.
Brenda Nelms and Margaret Schmid
Coordinators, Jackson Park Watch
http://jacksonparkwatch.org
Like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jacksonparkwatch
To unsubscribe from this g-list, simply send “unsubscribe” to jacksonparkwatch@gmail.com.