Jackson Park Advisory Council Newsletter – April 2014
JPAC’s next meeting and talk is on Monday, April 14, 7:30 p.m. at the fieldhouse, 6401 S. Stony Island.
Sylvia Jones will present the restoration and programs of Garfield Park Conservatory and her work with
the Chicago Historic Bungalow Initiative.
April 14 Business includes 1) ELECTION- the vacant vice president position (Frances Vandervoort accepted
nomination; other nominations will be taken from the floor). 2) Introduction of a proposed BYLAWS
AMENDMENT - for purposes of members’ notices, electronic notice is sufficient for those who give e-addresses.
May 12- watch for presentation by Project 120 on visions and proposals for the park. Place tba.
Saturday Workdays: April 12: Bobolink Meadow. 1-3+ p.m..Contact [email protected], visit
http://bluestem.info/bobolink/ look for “getting-there”. North meadow entry.
April 26: 9-12. Earth Day tree planting and Wooded Island. Plant trees (and learn how to do it right). Tent.
east of Cornell Drive at c. 5800/5900 S. Signup http://earthdaychicago.org, or FOTP Mary Eileen Sullivan, 312
857-2757. Or for this or other projects on Wooded Island sign up with Jerry Levy, [email protected].
Jerry’s projects generally start at 10 from the Darrow Bridge.
Mission accomplished: On March 15 JPAC’ers and others gathered on the north bridge to Wooded Island to
dedicate its naming as Nancy C. Hays Memorial Bridge. Read more and about Nancy Hays at
http://www.hydepark.org/parks/jpac/NancyCHaysMemorial.htm.
March 29 Park Advocacy Conference included a lively presentation by Louise McCurry on kids and Jackson Pk.
JPAC’s completely revamped modern website goes live within the next few weeks. It will be filled with
easy-to-find stories of the park and what people are doing to vitalize the park, backed with lots of new
photographs. There’s already plenty in the current website. And we promise to keep it updated. Much thanks to
Gerald Miller, IT intern at the Hyde Park Herald for work and training. Much material is researched and furnished
by Gary Ossewaarde, Louise and Robert McCurry, Fran Vandervoort, and the stewards. The address remains
http://www.jacksonparkadvisorycouncil.org.
Expenses for park, day camp, and JPAC are coming up-we could use your contributions. Send check to
JPAC c/o Dwight Powell, 7206 S. Luella, Chicago, IL 60649. Our fiscal agent is Friends of the Parks (501c3).
March 10, 2014 meeting
The meeting at Montgomery Place Retirement Community opened with two fascinating PowerPoint
presentations. Lorraine Straw of Friends of the Viking Ship gave the story of the unique replica vessel that was
sailed across the Atlantic for the Columbian Exposition, its amazing career since, and stabilization work in a park
in the western suburbs. The group is raising funds for restoration and display. Visit, including re: visiting the ship/
museum, http://www.vikingship.us. The repainted dragon’s head (prow) and tail are in MSI storage.
Raymond Johnson, lead of Friends of the White City (http://www.FriendsoftheWhiteCity.org) presented the
interesting and tragic story of the Ice-making building and skating rink at the Exposition, and its fire with
heavy loss of firemen. (The large, painted wooden statue of Columbus that stood in front of the ice house is now
in the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago, 5218 S. Western Avenue- open house 4th Saturdayshttp://www.firemuseumofgreaterchicago.org.
Thank you, Montgomery Place and residents’ committee. JPAC/ Friends of the White City docents give tours of
the Columbian Exposition in the summer; signup was taken for a bus tour for Montgomery Place residents.
In the regular business meeting, JPAC presented Olmsted Awards to Stewards Norm Bell, Gail Parry, and
Jerry Levy. Upon due motion, JPAC declared that the vice presidency is vacant and nominations open.
Fran Vandervoort volunteered to serve; additional nominations will be taken and election held on April 14.
Ray Johnson will represent JPAC on Ald. Hairston’s committee on historic markings. Marissa Miles introduced
an idea for children’s theater in the ‘Iowa’ building. Announcements, adjournment.
Respectfully submitted, Gary M. Ossewaarde, Secretary
J.P.A.C. NEWSLETTER
April 2014 Vol. 21 No. 3
JPAC- PROTECTING NATURE, PRESERVING HISTORY, SUPPORTING RECREATION
JACKSON PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL 31st YEAR!
OFFICERS
Louise McCurry, President
Aaron Stephens, Vice
President
Gary Ossewaarde, Secretary
Dwight Powell, Treasurer
Esther Schechter safety chair
Aaron Stephens sports chair
Fran Vandervoort nature trail
JPAC meets monthly 2nd
Mondays 2013:, 11/11, 12/9,
01/13/14,
DUES/ VOLUNTARY CONTR.
$35 per person. Opp levels
$100, $250, $500…
JPAC c/o Dwight Powell,
7206 S. Luella, Chicago, IL
60649
CONTACTS
Louise McCurry (President)
[email protected]
t, 773 844-2225.
Gary Ossewaarde (Sec.,
mtgs., Newsletter, mail
/membership)
th
1765 E. 55 St. B6 Chicago, IL
60615. 773 947-9541;
[email protected]
Dwight Powell (Treas/dues
7206 S. Luella, 60649 773 2884943.
Jerry Levy (Wooded I steward)
[email protected]
Norm Bell/Gail Parry
(Bobolink)
[email protected]
Chicago Park Districtwww.chicagoparkdistrict.com
Fieldhouse/Supervisor:
Bobbie Beckam 773 256-0903
Monday April 14, 2014 7:30 p.m. 2nd Mons.
Fieldhouse, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave.
MONDAY APRIL 14, 2014 AGENDA
Call to order, adjustments to agenda- Louise McCurry
Talk-Sylvia Jones on GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY
& HISTORIC BUNGALOW INITIATIVE
Minutes& financial report- Gary Ossewaarde, Dwight Powell
Abbreviated including Darrow Br, ELECTION OF VICE PR
INTRO OF BYLAWS CHANG re delivery of notices, newsls.
Lectures/activities/workshop schedules.
New bus., Recap, Next mtg., Adjournment
Workdays- for schedule:
[email protected].
[email protected], Louise-773 844-2225
2014 MEMBERSHIPcontribs-
MaiI checks to JPAC,
Dwight Powell, 7206 S. Luella 60649. Or bring to the meeting. Basic
(Friend) level $35. Info: [email protected].
Our fiscal agent is Friends of the Parks, a 501c3.
SEND E-MAIL addresses to [email protected].
You’ll get news and changing announcements faster!
Official website http://www.jacksonparkadvisorycouncil.org
Newsletters current link: http://www.hydepark.org/parks/jpac.html
The purpose of the JPAC is to provide a forum for …users of Jackson
Park; to advise and make recommendations to the Chicago Park District
on park improvements and programs (and create/ensure programs); to
encourage long-range planning; promote community utilization and
awareness of park and program and participation in planning; and seek
alternative funding sources to enhance facilities.