The Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public held a public meeting at the Lincoln Park Library on Thursday night, February 28. Almost 200 people packed into the meeting hall. Over 40 people
volunteered to help. Over 1,000 people have signed their petition and almost $1,000 raised toward
expected legal fees. Watch the coverage from Fox Chicago News! Read the Chicago Tribune coverage with over 150 comments. Their new phone # is 312-276-5165. Thy need volunteers for petition passing, letter writing, legal research and – most urgently – fundraising.
Read how construction of a massive soccer field complex on Randalls Island was halted! [requires NYT registration]
[Download a Word copy of the article]
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/LincolnPark
Here are some comments from people who have already signed. Add your voice!
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Alderman Daley says land grab a “legitimate recreational use and an improvement”
Dear Friends,
I would like to give you some information on the soccer field that is planned in Lincoln Park and clarify some points about the project.
The soccer field is just that, a field, not a stadium as it has been called. You can see a very similar example in Lincoln Park at Montrose. There are bleachers, about 5′ tall, smaller than those currently used around the baseball fields. Only one side has a fence to keep the balls from rolling into the zoo parking lot.
This field is not for the exclusive use of Latin School, nor is it privatizing the park. It’s a public-private partnership that allows the Park District to improve public facilities and allows Latin School to use an area they have been accessing for years. Latin School currently takes out permits for this area and other park district facilities, as do other schools and private sports clubs like AYSO, Little League and the Chicago Sport & Social Club. When this or any other recreation area is not being used by a group that has purchased a permit, it is open to anyone who wishes to use it.
A more elaborate project with a running track was proposed for this area several years ago. While that project elicited similar resistance from some, it also had support from the running community and soccer parents and coaches from numerous schools including Lincoln Park High School. The meetings we had on that project were usually evenly split between supporters and opponents. That project was sidelined when the Park District and the Board of Education did not have funding for their share of the costs which they were going to split 3-ways with the Latin School.
I introduced a resolution in the City Council to bring all parties together to discuss the soccer field proposal. I held several meetings with representatives from the Chicago Park District, the Latin School, the Gold Coast Neighbors, Friends of the Park, the Lincoln Park Advisory Council and the Lincoln Park Conservancy. We were able to reach compromises on design of the field, landscaping of the area, shielding the lights (both new and old) from nearby high-rises, widening the jogging path, repairing and replacing water fountains, and reductions in the permitted times of use by Latin School.
The park groups and I believe that this is a legitimate recreational use and an improvement for this area of Lincoln Park. I have requested that in the future, the Park District notify me and the park groups in writing of any proposed projects. I hope that notifying us in writing will help avoid this confusion in the future. I encourage anyone who is interested in park issues to join and participate in the park organizations. These are active groups of dedicated volunteers that help maintain a balance of interests and oversight on park district matters.
If you have any questions on this or any other matter please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Vi Daley, Alderman
(email newsletter 2/26/08)
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Alderman Daley Responds to Request for Action by the Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public
“Thanks you for your letter regarding the soceer field in Lincoln park. As you know this field is currently under construction pursuant to a binding agreement between the Latin School and the Chicago Park District. The City Council Committee on Parks and Recreation does not have authority to repeal actions by Chicago Park District.
I introduced the resolution you referenced in order to bring all parties together to discuss the soccer field proposal. We has several meetings with representatives from the Chicago Park District, the Latin School, the Gold Coast Neighbors, Friends of the Park, The Lincoln Park ADvisory Council and the Lincoln Park Conservancy. We were able to reach compromises on design of the field, landscaping of the area, shielding the lights (both new and old) from nearby hi-rises, widening the jogging path, repairing and replacing water fountains, and a reducxtion in the permitted hours of use by Latin
SChool.
Admitttedly these discussions should have occurred before approval by the Park District Board. I have requested that in the future, the Park District notify me and the park groups in writing of any proposed projects in my ward. I hope that notifying us in writing will help avoid confusion in the future and give the public more scrutiny over projects. I encourage you and your committee to join and participate in the park organizations. These are active groups of dedicated volunteers that help maintain a balance of interests and oversight on park district matters.
Sincerely,
Vi Daley
Alderman 43rd Ward”
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The Chicago Reader’s Biggest Political Winners & Losers for 2007
Winners: The boys and girls soccer teams from the Latin School, one of the city’s wealthiest and most exclusive private schools. The Park District gave them (as in for free) prime lakefront park property to build a soccer field.
Losers: Pretty much all of the public high school soccer teams, who have to play on lumpy, potholed, precariously uneven fields.
Top 10 stories of 2007
December 31, 2007
1. Latin takes piece of park
Possible legal action and new committees are part of the still-developing plan by the private Latin School to build a $2 million, synthetic turf soccer field in south Lincoln Park.
The plan had neighbors and park activists wanting to kick more than a soccer ball as the news trickled out of a quiet deal between the school, 59 W. North Blvd., and the Chicago Park District, which will pay at least $250,000 for the field’s lighting.
The deal was signed late last fall without community input. Alderman Vi Daley, 43rd, says she had no knowledge of the deal.
Community leaders and park advocates were angry that such a deal could occur without public input, especially since five years ago the concept was brought to the community and scrapped after much outcry. They are also unhappy with the fact that public land is being privatized.
Latin has reduced its original hours of use, but construction has already begun on the field.
But that hasn’t ended the ordeal.
Two groups opposing the deal dubbed a “land grab,” have taken on the issue–the newly-formed, ad hoc, Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public, and the new chapter of Greater Lincoln Park Democracy for America.
The groups are planning to keep the Latin deal in the public eye and have contacted an attorney about the issue.
Pioneer Press reporters Felicia Dechter, Patrick Butler and Lorraine Swanson contributed to this report.
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There’s a controversy brewing in south Lincoln Park. The Latin School has negotiated a deal with the Chicago Park District to build a soccer field on public land. There are a number of questions swirling around this project:
- How can a private (and very wealthy) institution carve out private use on public park land?
- What was done in secret and when?
- What are the positions of the Alderman and various public and private agencies on this subject?
- Why does the Latin School feel it deserves this special consideration?
A NEW CITIZEN’S GROUP HAS STARTED TO PROTEST THE PRIVATIZATION OF LINCOLN PARK. FIND OUT ABOUT THE COMMITTEE TO KEEP LINCOLN PARK PUBLIC (CKLPP) BY VISITING THEIR NEW (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) WEB SITE AT WWW.CKLPP.ORG. SIGN UP FOR THEIR EMAIL NEWS AT http://groups.google.com/group/cklpp.
Download their flyer, “STOP the Privatization of Lincoln Park”
Links:
Chicago Reader story, “Soccer for Some” by Ben Joravsky from 7/20/07.
Contract between the Park District and the Latin School, dated December 1, 2006.
News stories in the Pioneer Press.
RELATED CONTACTS
Friends of the Parks – 312-857-2757, John Paul Jones, Director of Neighborhood Parks & Community Relations x15
Lincoln Park Advisory Council – Jill Niland, President.
Lincoln Park Conservancy – Steve Zelner, Executive Director, 773-883-7275.
Chicago Park District – Tim Mitchell, Superintendent, 312-742-4200.
Mayor’s Office – 312-744-8045.
Alderman Vi Daley – 773-327-9111.
The Latin School -David Firke, Head of School, 312-582-6300.
What do you know about this and what should be done? Below is the proposed schedule of field usage showing the Latin School receiving over 850 hours of prime-time, kid friendly exclusive use per year.
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Update: Monday, November 26, 12pm 
CPD Superintendent Tim Mitchell called to stress the fact that a new agreement supersedes Exhibit C to the contract. He stated that the correct number is now 779 hours, which is equal to the number of hours the school uses annually at Montrose Field.
[Mr. Mitchell comes to the Park District from the Office of the Mayor where he served as Chief of Infrastructure and Operations for the City of Chicago. Mr. Mitchell's work at the Mayor's Office included administration of the City's operational and infrastructure departments as well as implementation of the City's $1.9 billion capital improvement program.]
Deja Vu, All Over Again!
In 2002 a citizen’s group called “Keep Lincoln Park Public” was formed in opposition to a proposed four acre oval shaped athletic field/sports complex on land in Lincoln Park almost exactly where the proposed soccer field is being sited. This was also to have been co-financed by The Latin School. Issues of closed-door negotiations, restricting access to public lands and favoritism were all present in that controversy. Download their flyer.
Will There Be Ads?
Besides the issue of privatizing Lincoln Park, we also face the prospect of the Latin School selling public space to advertisers and sponsors. How would you feel about a big Nike swoosh or Gaterade logo looming on the scoreboard, signage or other
decorations surrounding the proposed field? Any lawyers in the house? Here’s the relevant paragraph from the contract: 
Continuing coverage in the Pioneer Press
New group moves forward against Latin deal
“A new group, the Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public, was established last week to take action against the contract between Latin School, 59 W. North Blvd., and the Chicago Park District to build a soccer field in the south end of Lincoln Park. ” Read the story
Local Blog Covers Children’s Museum Grant Park Controversy
Check out the blog at http://www.chicagocarless.com/planning/chicago_childrens_museum_controversy
New Citizen’s Group Opposes Privatization of Lincoln Park
The Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public is a group of neighbors who want to roll back the Latin School’s private deal with the Park District. Visit their web site and sign up to get email updates. Sign their online petition.
What Does the Lakefront Protection Ordinance Say?
Hyde Parker former State Rep. Robert E. Mann contributed mightily to the writing of the Lakefront Protection Ordinance. So was George Cooley. Download a PDF copy of the ordinance.
Although the Ordinance, in its present form since the 1980’s, has had little effect when powerful politicians and institutions have teamed up to do what they want on the lakefront, it does set down standards and extra review in hearings and public bodies , such as the Chicago Plan Commission. (The most obvious brushing aside in the area were approval of sweeping expansion by Museum of Science and Industry and La Rabida Hospital and the Shoreline Protection Project, especially proposal for Promontory Point. The Ordinance is so an embodiment of the early twentieth century landmark decisions won by Aaron Montgomery Ward, reinforced by the Burnham Plan of Chicago, providing that Chicago’s great treasure and distinctive geographic feature, the Lakefront, will remain “forever free. open, and clear.” The Ordinance governs a surprising distance away from the lake, for example Jewish Community Center/Rodfei Zedek between S. Hyde Park and Cornell Ave. in the 5200 block, the former Doctor’s Hospital (old Illinois Central Hospital) between Stony Island and the railroad in the 5600 block (both across the street from lakefront parks) and Mount Carmel High School between 6300 and 6500 Dante, over a block west of Jackson Park.
Here are the 14 basic policy criteria of the Ordinance, under which proposals must show impact.
- Complete the publicly owned and locally controlled park areas along the entire Chicago lakefront.
- Maintain and enhance the predominantly landscaped, spacious and continuous character of the lakeshore parks.
- Continue to improve the water quality and ecological balance of Lake Michigan.
- Preserve the cultural, historical and recreational heritage of the lakeshore parks.
- Maintain and improve the formal character and open water vista of Grant Park with no new above ground structures permitted.
- Increase the diversity of recreational opportunities while emphasizing lake-oriented leisure time activities.
- Protect and develop natural lakeshore park and water area for wildlife habitation.
- Increase Personal Safety.
- Design all lake edge and lake construction to prevent detrimental shoreline erosion.
- Ensure a harmonious relationship between the lakeshore parks and the community edge, but in no instance will further private development be permitted east of Lake Shore Drive.
- Improve access to the lakeshore parks and reduce through vehicular traffic on secondary park roads.
- Strengthen the parkway characteristics of Lake Shore Drive and prohibit any roadway of expressway standards.
- Ensure that all port, water supply and public facilities are designed to enhance lakefront character.
- Coordinate all public and private development within the water, park and community zones.
This material from the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference Parks Committee web site.
Read the City Council Resoultion
The City Council passed a resolution on September 27, 2007 stating…
“WHEREAS, Members of the community have raised concerns and objections to various facets of the above agreement, ranging from the transformation of the area into a soccer-oriented field, to the amount of time allocated to students at the Latin School; and
WHEREAS, In light of the value to all Chicagoans of Park District property, the importance of deciding that property’s proper and appropriate use, the need for school-age youth to have adequate and convenient facilities to exercise, and the need for long-time neighbors to get along, it is necessary and advisable to encourage a discussion of this issue in the hopes of achieving a fair, amicable solution acceptable to all concerned; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-seventh day of September, 2007, do hereby call upon representatives of the Chicago Park District, the Latin School of Chicago, the Lincoln Park Advisory Council, the Lincoln Park Conservancy, Friends of the Park, and other interested parties to appear before the City Council Committee on Parks and Recreation to provide their views on the proposed use of the soccer area.”
The resolution was introduced by Aldermen Vi Daley, Brendan Reilly and Thomas Tunney. We’re still waiting for the hearing. Read the full resolution.
The Pioneer press reports on this lack of action with a story headlined, “Plea to halt Latin work falls on deaf ears.”
“The Committee to Keep Lincoln Park Public, an ad hoc group opposing the soccer field being built by Latin School at the south end of Lincoln Park, says it has been ignored by Alderman Mary Ann Smith, 48th, after “insisting” in a recent letter to the alderman that construction on the field be halted immediately until a city hearing is held.” Read the full story.
WHAT IS “THE COMMONS” AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
Lincoln Park is part of our shared heritage and is a public resource that has been wisely set aside to be used and enjoyed by everyone. The park is part of what has been called “The Commons.” The Commons consists of physical, natural and cultural assets which are held in trust for all generations and are to be freely used by all and owned by none. The concept goes back to Roman Law and is part of English civic dating from the Magna Carta, signed by King John 1n 1215. Read the report, “The State of the Commons,” (4MB PDF) by The Tomales Bay Institute.
17 responses so far ↓
Tom Tresser // November 17, 2007 at 2:12 am |
From the Chicago News-Star…
Public deserves input on park land
November 14, 2007
New soccer fields in Chicago appear to be multiplying faster than wildly expensive pieces of artwork in Millennium Park.
Just as construction on one new soccer field is getting under way in Lincoln Park comes word that two new artificial turf soccer fields are in the works for Margate Park at Montrose and Foster.
Along with their use, these two projects have something else in common: They are both partially funded by private entities.
Read the article at http://www.pioneerlocal.com/newsstar/news/forum/647954,sn-socceredit-111407-s1.article
Tom Tresser // November 20, 2007 at 6:54 pm |
Statement by Friends of the Parks:
Public Policy at Issue with Latin School Soccer Field Plan
On Friday, November 2nd the contractor hired by the Latin School to construct an artificial turf soccer field in Lincoln Park began work to build the field despite strong opposition from local community groups, Friends of the Parks and nearby residents. The action to actually start the construction is an end-run around recent action taken by Aldermen Vi Daley, Brendan Reilly and Tom Tunney’s to introduce a resolution to have public review of the Latin School soccer field at the next City Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee.
With no public hearings or notice to the neighborhood or to the broader community, the Chicago Park District on October 25, 2006 approved a contract for the Latin School to construct an artificial turf soccer field at the south end of Lincoln Park. No plan or presentation was made to Lincoln Park community organizations or to Friends of the Parks.
Crain’s Chicago Business later reported on the contract agreement with the Latin School. Crain’s reporter, Greg Hinz, analyzed the contract and wrote an article with the headline “Prestigious Prep School Lands Sweet Deal for New Lincoln Park Field”. Additional newspaper articles brought the issue to light and community groups voiced their opposition to the use of public land for a private school. In September, after months of community activism, Alderman Vi Daley and Alderman Brendan Reilly held a public meeting at the Latin School where hundreds of citizens voiced their opposition to the Latin School proposal. This was followed by a City Council resolution on the matter.
After the construction started, Alderman Vi Daley called together representatives from community groups including the Lincoln Park Advisory Council, the Lincoln Park Conservancy, Gold Coast Neighbors and Friends of the Parks to meet with the Park District and Latin School officials to review the construction and usage plans. While Friends of the Parks made it clear that it does not support the policy of leasing public parkland to a private institution for their priority use, the Park District reiterated that the contract had been approved and the soccer field project is moving ahead.
Alderman Daley and the park groups insisted on changes to the signed agreement which include a reduction of Latin’s use time by 10%, a complete landscaping plan, a significant number of new trees, retaining the configuration of the running path and the addition of a drinking fountain to the south of the soccer field.
Looking forward, Friends of the Parks’ encourages the Park District to develop a policy and plan that calls for the Park District to construct public soccer fields that are open for permitted use by the general public.
For more information, please contact John Paul Jones at jonesjp@fotp.org
http://www.fotp.org/programs/parks/latinschool.html
Tom Tresser // November 21, 2007 at 4:10 am |
Here is Patricia Monahan’s account of her testimony at the November 14 2007 Board meeting of the Chicago Park District…
“Well, I went, said my piece and gave them all those questions we discussed at our meeting – my request was through the Freedom of Info act, and they have until Nov 23 to provide me the answers – American Youth Soccer Associtation was there and were kissy kissy with the CPD Board. I later talked with them and found that their deal is to pay their fees upfront, but they are not building their own field – they use the Montrose fields and were VERY interested in my copy of the Latin contract, telling me that the deal in that contract for Latin to be able to have signage for sponsors violates some rule of the FIPC or something like that.
I was the first to sign up to speak, but was the almost last to be called upon. I lost my cool and yelled at Superintendent Mitchell when he tryed to explain the deal to me – “BUT IT’S PUBLIC LAND!!!” – and pounded on the lectern! My next endeavor in this regard is to write to Mayor Daley (cc:Ald Reilly) that his FATHER would never have allowed this!!!!! (we have a friend who was one of the dad’s secretaries and she said he would never have allowed it). I’m out of the city from Dec 1 until Apr 5 so please keep me posted on what is going on with this outrageous situation (if anything).”
Eurydice // November 24, 2007 at 3:08 am |
I’m so glad that GLPDFA is interested and active in this cause. It is just a pure case of the people being run over. There was absolutely no public input. Lies were told — including lies of omission. I’m also frightened by the details we STILL don’t know about. For example, rumor has it there will be security at the site. Who is paying for this security? And, are they going to be the same private security that virtually kidnapped two kids on public land on Halloween? I hope we can join together to show Latin and the CPD that the people will be heard.
Tom Tresser // November 27, 2007 at 6:51 am |
The following comment was just received:
Your information is inaccurate.
Timothy M. King
Director of Legislative and Community Affairs
Chicago Park District
541 N. Fairbanks, 700
Chicago, Ill. 60611
312-742-5366
(c)312-907-0010
e-mail: timothy.king@chicagoparkdistrict.com
I replied:
Mr. King -
What is inaccurate? Can you please answer these questions:
- why was the arrangement between the CPD and the Latin School done in secret?
- if you claim it was NOT done in secret, what group and person(s) knew of the arrangement?
- how many hours per year would the Latin School be given exclusive use of the proposed field?
- is the field to be locked or secured? if so, who would have access? if so, will private guards be employed?
- will marketing or advertising of any sort be permitted on the proposed facility?
- given the controversy and opposition to a similar project a few years ago (and the establishment of Keep Lincoln Park Public), why revisit the same sort of project at the same place? What is new about this project?
- how would you respond to an essential policy question – why should a private institution be allowed to purchase exclusive usage and access to public space? If the answer is the Park District needs the money, why not include needed and planned for facilities in the regular budgeting and capital improvement process?
Tom Tresser // November 27, 2007 at 11:56 pm |
Mr. King replied as follows:
Thank you for your interest in this matter; although im not quite clear as to your connection to the project.
Nevertheless, I will address your questions as succinctly and accurately as I can.
- Why was the arrangement between the CPD and the Latin School done in secret?
This matter was taken to the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners in October of 2006 in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act and in accordance with the same CPD procedure and policy that the district has been operating under for decades. Authority was granted by the board to enter into the permit agreement. Also on the board agenda that same day in 2006 were the long-term lease of the Monroe Street parking garages and the multi-year Lalapalooza permit. If you research both of these matters, as you seem to have time to do, you will find substantial media coverage and extensive public comment. In short, this “arrangement” was hardly done “in secret.”
- If you claim it was NOT done in secret, what group and person(s) knew of the arrangement?
I cannot speak to the subjective understanding and knowledge of particular individuals.
- How many hours per year would the Latin School be given exclusive use of the proposed field?
The number of permitted hours for the first year is less than 800 hours. Or a mere 18% of total available permitted hours of use annually.
- Is the field to be locked or secured? if so, who would have access? if so, will private guards be employed?
The field will be operated, controlled, maintained and secured in a manner consistent with similarly situated sites and fields within the park district system. In other words–look at the field at Montrose as an indication.
- Will marketing or advertising of any sort be permitted on the proposed facility?
Nothing permanent in nature will be affixed or applied to the field or playing surface. Any temporary signage will at all times comply with park district code and policy concerning such matters.
- Given the controversy and opposition to a similar project a few years ago (and the establishment of Keep Lincoln Park Public), why revisit the same sort of project at the same place? What is new about this project?
The merits of this project are too numerous to list, however, by leveraging ten-years permit fees in advance to build a $2M field allows the park district to build 2 new fields at west and south side parks where no such private entity is offering a similar proposal. As for the group you reference above–I have never heard of that organization but would be happy to work with its membership.
- How would you respond to an essential policy question – why should a private institution be allowed to purchase exclusive usage and access to public space?
Latin School is allowed to permit the field for its use for the same reason over 300 other private and public schools are allowed to permit its usage throughout the park system on a daily basis for various activities. Or, for the same reason CPD allows folks to have a picnic, special event, athletic competition, or any activity conducted on park district property for a specific purpose during a specific time.
- If the answer is the Park District needs the money, why not include needed and planned for facilities in the regular budgeting and
capital improvement process
The Park District manages its $60M dollar capital budget in a judicious and efficient manner; however, with over $2Billion in capital requests from groups such as the one you purport to represent, elected officials and taxpayers, and over 570 parks to serve while maintaining over 7500 acres, we continually look towards partnering with the private sector to leverage limited capital funding. We will continue to look at more creative financing opportunities throughout the park district in the years to come.
John Lohrmann // December 2, 2007 at 4:00 am |
I wouldn’t put much weight behind Mr. King’s comments. This is the same absurd spokesman that stated at an August 23 public meeting “approval (by the Chicago Plan Commission) is not needed, since the field is not a permanent “structure,”.” In case Mr. King didn’t know what he was talking about, the field construction will require excavation, concrete, gravel, bleachers, fencing, pathways, lighting and a scoreboard. Did he think the field would just be rolled out like a carpet? The planned life for this field is 20 years. Exactly what does Mr. King consider “permanent?”
Mr. King states the meeting was not held in secret and that he can’t talk to the “knowledge of particular individuals.” But when our own alderman and numerous community groups claim to know nothing about the deal, who does Mr. King suggest we assume is lying? If the Park District’s intent was not to hold this meeting in secret, we can only conclude that they are amazingly incompetent and should be replaced with individuals that want and can work with the public.
Mr. King also states that the contracted use is a mere 18% of total available permitted hours of use annually. That is correct if you assume the field is rented out 12 hours a day for 365 days a year. I would like to see them rent the soccer field in January or February. If you look at realistic, playable days the percentage goes up considerably.
I can only conclude by Mr. King’s responses that either he is stupid, he thinks we are stupid, or any combination of the two.
The only thing I know for sure from this exchange with Mr. King is that concerned residents will get nowhere by appealing to the Park District. I’m sure the day this contract was signed there were high-fives and champagne in the Park District offices celebrating how they sneaked the deal past the residents. However, I am surprised that Latin School and its parents would want to be part of such an underhanded land-grab.
ahmad burzynski // December 8, 2007 at 8:59 pm |
Im sure you hypocrties wont post this:
The bottom line is that all of you are racists; you dont want people of color in your “front yard” playing soccer. Look at the faces of the people that use the Montrose Field. We are African (from Sudan and Ethiopia), Mexico and South America and Eastern Europe. Ive been to some of the public hearings on this matter. You are all lilly white (except for that fool John-Paul), mostly old and “upper-crust.” People like that hunchback woman that is obsessed with this issue dont want people like me and my friends playing in–what they consider thier park–after school hours and into the evening. You haters are making this about private/public and open space, but this is about one thing–Race!!!!
ahmad burzynski // December 8, 2007 at 9:14 pm |
Why would Friends of the Park not want a soccer field in Lincoln Park? I know why–its because some FOTP donors like the [word deleted] Ms. Monahan and her group of out of touch harpies complained about “more traffic” being brought to Lincoln Park and more “undesireables” using the area after dark, under the lights to play soccer like at Montrose. And, i was going to join friends of the parks until i found out that the President of Friends makes $120,000.00 per year. That can buy a lot of trees. Check it out! you people are all fools that are being played.
Tom Tresser // December 9, 2007 at 2:53 am |
Ahmad -
You are obviously upset – but upset about the wrong thing and at the wrong people. Your perception is incorrect. I am “old and white and upper crust” and couldn’t care less who uses the park – as long as it is open and available to everyone. You totally fail to see our objection is based on the fact that Latin School did a secret deal with the Park District to build a facility that THEY will have almost exclusive use of in terms of when kids would want to use it. Under this deal there will be very little or no opportunity for kids from public schools – where we have our greatest diversity – to play. And this is for 10 years. You want to level charges of priveledge, exclusion and bad motives – please level them at the managers of the Park District and the Latin School who did this deal away from the public.
Tom
elaine steinberg // December 9, 2007 at 5:14 am |
What concerns me most about all of this nonsense is that everyone involved is using a soccer field to promote thier own personal agendas. The hypocracy is unbelievable. For example, I know you Tom Tresser. Ive met you at both the school of the Art Institute and at the Art Institute campus in grant park. and, isnt the Art Institue, where you are a teacher, “an elite private institution” that occupies prime public space in Grant Park???? And I am shocked at how much money Friends of the Park is paying Irma Tranter. If i had known she was making $120,000.00 per year, i would have kept all of my donations.
glpdfa // December 10, 2007 at 1:39 am |
Wow – this is getting personal. What has my teaching work to do with the bad public policy issues raised by the private and secret deal done between the Latin School and the Chicago Park District? The Art Institute is indeed a private institution that was grandfathered into the lake front protection ordinance and remains the only structure on the in the park east side of Michigan Avenue along the downtown area. The controversy surrounding the proposed siting of the Children’s Museum raised the same policy issues. I also teach at Loyola and DePaul. None of those institutions are perfect and should they enter into bad agreements along the lines of what has happened in Lincoln Park, I’ll be there front and center pointing them out. By the way, I’ve been fighting for open government, citizen involvement in local government and more public access to arts and cultural resources for my entire career in Chicago (came here in 1980). Now, if you feel Irma is making too much money, that’s entirely your affair and has nothing to do with me or this controversy. I should point out, though, that if we want capable and experienced people running our nonprofits we should pay them well.
elaine steinberg // December 10, 2007 at 2:25 am |
well, in the spirit of democracy–you do print dissenting comments and that i respect. However, three more points and i will go back to anonymity.
1. If you people were really concerned about the general public using the field, you would appreciate the fact that, as park officials have stated, because Latin is subsidizing the field here, two more can be built elsewhere next year. So clearly the public is benefitting.
2. If you look at the Park District budget on-line, not only does the Art Institute–which you are affiliated with–occupy Grant Park, they get a $3M annually subsidy from the taxpayers.
3. Finally, Felicia Dechter is the epitomy of “lazy journalism.” It does not escape me that she has been is the chain of e-mails from the beginning and her Dec. 7 story in the Skyline was taken directly from this web-site and those e-mails, without any counterpoint whatsoever. As a small business owner that advertises in the Skyline, i am appalled and will be pulling my business on Monday.
Good Day and Happy Holidays!!!!!
elaine steinberg // December 13, 2007 at 7:06 pm |
How embarrasing it must be for a self-righteous group of do-gooding peackniks to have an elederly grandmother so obsessed with this issue that she threw feces at Latin School as a member of its group. Just goes to show you that you people have alternative motives. Do you really expect us tho think that Karen Kass was so moved by the “public/private” debate that she decided that throwing feces at a place were children are educated was her only communicative outlet??? you are all sick and using this for you own interests as ive suggested all along> Ahmad is right–you are racists!!!!
elaine steinberg // December 13, 2007 at 9:11 pm |
How embarrasing it must be for a self-righteous group of do-gooding peackniks to have an elederly grandmother so obsessed with this issue that she threw feces at Latin School as a member of its group. Just goes to show you that you people have alternative motives. Do you really expect us tho think that Karen Kass was so moved by the “public/private” debate that she decided that throwing feces at a place were children are educated was her only communicative outlet??? Really folks. We are talking about a soccer field here–not paving Lincoln Park for a parking lot or strip mall. Do we really need to hurl feces at an institution of learning? Ms. Kass should be ashamed of herself, further proving that there are deeper feelings here that people are admitting. Racism maybe, as Ahmad has suggested???? You are all a bunch of hacks.
ahmad burzynski // December 14, 2007 at 5:37 am |
Maybe Ms. Kass can hurl feces at that other elite institute of higher learning that occupies public parkland—the Art Institute. Oh, I forgot, her fellow gadfly Tom Tresser teaches there so she apparently discriminates in her poop-throwing as well. Maybe Ms. Kass can represent the US in the 2016 games in the Dung-toss???? Nice legacy that you are leaving.
Barbuna // December 14, 2007 at 10:25 am |
It would be nice if my own children could represent the US in soccer, but … oh, yeah. I forgot. My children are going to a PUBLIC school nearby with no soccer field. Oh. And, quite a few people of color (including my own), Mr. Burzynski, will also attend that school. I dare say more than attend Latin.
Honestly, how is it possible to call racism when we’re taking about OPENING up public land for people of ALL color, rather than closing it to anyone but the wealthy. So, please, find another argument at the very least.
By the way, there are a great many of us who do equate turning green parklands into plastic synthetic turf fields with paving it over. I’m sure most people reading this blog would see the similarities.
But, in the end, it is exactly this OPEN discussion that we are asking for. If it is “just a soccer field,” how is it that so many have strong opinions about it. Shouldn’t everyone be heard before a deal is struck affecting so many?
Just a thought.