Past Seed Grant Awardees
Friends of the Parks awarded nine small “Seed Grants” to park advisory councils, adopt-a-park
groups and block clubs. This program provides a total of $6,000 to groups to beautify
parks, playgrounds and field houses and to initiate innovative programs to children
and adults.
The Seed Grant Program is designed to build stronger communities, develop alliances
and foster success in the work of citizen groups. In 2004 seventeen applications for
funding were received for a wide variety of project ideas.
Friends of the Parks awarded nine grants to the following groups:
Sayre Park Advisory Council: Women’s Weight Lifting. The goal of the project
is to purchase equipment and mats for a women’s weight lifting class, providing additional
exercise classes for women at the park.
Dvorak Advisory Council: Bring Back the Music / Que Siga la Musica. Funds will
be used to restore the legacy of music to Dvorak park by sponsoring two summer music
events showcasing classical music and the music of Mexico.
Wicker Park Advisory Council: Wicker Park Kids Grow- The Children Plant the
Seeds for the Future. Funds will be used to begin a new pilot program for gardening
with children at Wicker Park. Children will learn to grow and propagate plants.
Touhy Park Advisory Council: Touhy Park Summer Festival. Funds will be used
to promote the park through a series of summer community events including a poetry
slam, a movie night, and a concert.
Veteran’s Park Advisory Council: Bocce Court Renovation. Funds will be used
to renovate the current bocce court and provide further enjoyment for the seniors
and teens that use the court.
Gross Park Neighbors Foundation: Revitalize Gross Park. Funds will be used
to replace the wood chip path, plant flowers and replace trees lost to the Asian Longhorn
Beetle.
Clarendon Park Local Advisory Council: Pint-sized Gardens for Kids. Funds will
be used to purchase, decorate and plant large planters for the sidewalk and Clarendon
Park Field house.
Austin Town Hall Advisory Council: Lobby Lighting Project. Funds will be used
to purchase gallery lights so that the foyer of Austin Town Hall can be used to display
artwork.
Loyola Park Advisory Council: Greening of Loyola Park. Funds will be used to
purchase and plant native oak seedlings and tree care equipment to assist in maintaining
the trees at Loyola and Clark Parks.
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Nine Seed Grants Awarded in 2003
Tilton Park Advisory Council for the Tilton Park Art Festival, a day in the
park, to raise awareness in the community, recruit volunteers and help organize the
park expansion effort. The project includes a youth art contest to solicit new
park expansion designs.
Pros Arts Studio for the “Magic Garden” Project at McGuane Park.
The goal of the project is to hire artists to work with the Therapeutic Recreation
program participants to hand paint park benches that will be placed in the park’s
“Magic Garden”.
Margate Park Block Club and Buttercup Advisory Council to develop gardens and
create borders to enhance the gardens in Buttercup Playlot. The
project’s goals include developing bonds and relationships with local community residents
and neighbors.
Gompers Park Advisory Council’s project “Gompers Park Popcorn Profits “.
The project involves purchasing a new popcorn machine that will be used as an on-going
fundraising mechanism for special events in the park. All funds raised
will be put into park programs and improvements.
South Shore Park Advisory Council for the “SSCC Piano Restoration Fund” to
restore and repair a 9 foot grand piano in the Paul Robeson Theater in the South Shore
Cultural Center. The piano will be used by local artists in performances at
the Cultural Center.
Marquette Park Advisory Council for the “Marquette Park Beautification Project” to
improve the deteriorated landscape of this large park. Three new gardens
using native plant materials will be created at three entry points of Marquette Park.
Scottsdale Park Advisory Council for the purchase of gymnastic mats to expand
the gymnastic program at Scottsdale/Durkin Parks. The gymnastic program serves
hundreds of community children.
Independence Park Advisory Council to purchase three overhead flood lights
for each of the three porches and entries currently without lighting on the “Women’s
Building” in Independence Park. The security lighting has been requested by
the neigborhood residents.
Commercial Park Advisory Council for the After School Tutoring and Computer
Learning Center. The project includes developing a computer-learning center
at Commercial Park for use by all ages, from children to seniors.
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Nine Seed Grants Awarded in 2002
West Andersonville Neighbors Together (W.A.N.T.) for the Mellin Park Beautification
Campaign
With the seed grant dollars this group will beautify Mellin Park, a playlot located
in west Andersonville at the southeast corner of Bryn Mawr & Ashland. Currently
the playlot is in dire need of ornamentation. It is surrounded by busy streets
and adjacent to a large grocery store. A “buffer” is needed to help shield park
users from the sights, sounds and smells of the area, creating more of a retreat in
the busy area. This is the only park within this neighborhood for small children.
The goal of this project is to make the park more wholesome and inviting for neighborhood
children and families.
River Park Advisory Council for the River Park Field House Gardens Project
With their seed grant money, this group is going to improve the landscape features
at River Park located at 5100 N. Francisco. The east side of their fieldhouse
has seen heavy usage and shade that has left open dirt, misshapen trees, and an unattractive
degraded area. The group will plant hearty perennials, bulbs, and bushes, fortify
the soil, seed the lawn areas and add ground cover. The main goal of the project
is to improve the aesthetics surrounding the building, improving attractiveness of
the grounds and thus reducing littering. The project will begin in fall 2002
and will be completed in spring 2003.
Friends of Juniper Park for the Juniper Park Beautification Project
In fall 2000 this community group, with the help of the Park District and KaBoom!,
built the park. They only had enough money for equipment, soft surface and minimum
landscaping. With the seed grant money, this group will beautify the park where
there are currently empty planting beds, will fill the park with greenery and make
it more buffered from the surrounding streets. This park is extremely popular
and one of only a few in the area. This project will bring the neighbors together
to do plantings and beautification, thus creating a sense of ownership in the community.
The project will start immediately, and is not only supported by Friends of the Parks
but as well the Southport Neighbors Association as well.
Gompers Park Advisory Council & Mayfair Garden Club for Gompers Park Beautification
This group plans to use their seed grant money to install two raised garden beds at
the southeast corner of Foster & Pulaski, at the entrance to Gompers Park.
Currently there is constant foot traffic through the existing flowers in the ground-level
beds, which are regularly trampled and destroyed. The raised beds will prevent
their beautiful flower and plant arrangements from being trampled and greatly improve
the entrance to Gompers Park. Other organizations partnering on this effort
include the Mayfair Improvement Association, the Mayfair Garden Club, Chicago Park
District Staff, and community volunteers.
Washington Park Advisory Council for “Washington Park Discovery Day”
This project is a continuation and expansion of a project that began several years
ago. The seed grant dollars given to the WPAC were used towards supplies, materials
and activities for children at “Washington Park Discovery Day”. This event was
held on June 6th, 2002 and scores of local schoolchildren participated in the event.
Children rotated between different discovery stations at the park, which included
discovering wetland species, insects, energy resources, and included tours of the
Fountain of Time sculpture and the DuSable Museum.
Kedvale Park Advisory Council for the “Children at Work – Operation Beautification”
Project
Kedvale Park is located in the west-central region at 4134 W. Hirsch St. With
the seed grant dollars, the Kedvale Park AC will provide an activity for children
in the community who are out of school. This will take place during summer 2002,
with the objective being to recruit children (with parents permission) and engage
them in a beautification project for the neighborhood. Children will learn about
plants and soil while working together to beautify their park. They will develop
a sense of pride and ownership in respect to their community while learning that trash
and graffiti deteriorates a community. A ceremony and contest will end the project.
A drawing contest and naming of the Kedvale Park Flower bed, and all participants
will receive a t-shirt.
Pros Arts Studio for “Hands in the Garden – Project for McGuane Parks Therapeutic
Recreation Program”
McGuane Park is located in the southwest region on 2901 S. Poplar. This park
has been very active, with the help of Pros Arts Studios, in creating and enhancing
a therapeutic recreation program for the disabled. With the seed grant dollars
donated by Friends of the Parks, Hands in the Garden will provide cultural experiences
for the people with disabilities who participate in the therapeutic recreation program.
The project will focus on ceramics for the garden area, including mosaic stepping
stones, ceramic pots for flowers, and a sign for the garden. This will be a
collaborative project between the artists of Pros Arts Studio and the staff at McGuane
Park.
Unity Park Advisory Council for the Logan Square Musician’s Showcase
Unity Park is located in the west-central region in Logan Square. The advisory
council there will use their seed grant dollars to help promote and hold a showcase
of musical talent in the community by bringing in local musicians on August 20th for
a Musicians Showcase. The goals of this project are to celebrate the diverse
talent of musicians in the community, increase neighborhood awareness, provide a safe
evening of entertainment for families, provide positive models to children and support
local artists. The concert is scheduled for August 20, 2002 from 7-9 p.m.
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Nine Seed Grants Awarded in 2001
Eugene Field Adopt-A-Park Group
Eugene Field Improvement Project: Grant Awarded: $575.00
Program Description:
Our project is to increase community participation in our park by initiating one new
program and to start a community garden at Eugene Field Park. In the past 6
months Eugene Field Adopt-A-Park group has recruited over 200 residents to get involved
in our park. Through a series of planning meetings, community leaders agreed
that we need a safer park with more programs. The vision of our project is to
make our park the center of our neighborhood where people of all ages and ethnicity
feel welcome to come.
Goals Hope to Achieve with this Grant:
1. To increase the amount of volunteers at our park by 50%.
2. To establish a community garden.
3. To identify on program (ie. Pottery class) to start at the park this summer
that will reach people
previously uninvolved in the park.
4. To assist the park in doing outreach to the community.
McGuane Park- Pro Arts Studio
Our Community Celebrates the City Mural Project Grant Awarded:
$1,000.00
Program Description:
Our Community Celebrates the City is a mural project which will be created by the
participants in the Therapeutic Recreation Program at McGuane Park with artists from
Pros Arts Studio which is located just north of the Park. It will not only enhance
the facilities of McGuane Park, but also celebrate the creative abilities of people
with special needs.
Goals Hope to Achieve with this Grant:
The goals of the Mural Project are to increase cultural and creative experience for
the participants of the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) program at the park, to promote
the TR program, to heighten understanding and awareness of people with disabilities
and in the process enhance the appearance of the park. The Mural Project will
serve to build the self-esteem of the TR participants. The Mural will be a visual
reminder of creative abilities of special populations, of the strength of community,
and of the beauty of our city and its parks. The collaboration between artists,
TR staff and community volunteers will strengthen the resources at McGuane Park and
encourage future cultural projects.
Loyola Park Advisory Council
Artist on the Wall- Outreach Total Amount Requested: $400.00
Program Description:
Artist on the Wall is a yearly community event. The Advisory Council wishes
to include a wider demographic by reaching out tot the senior population in Rogers
Park. Advertisement, visits to local senior citizen buildings, and work of mouth,
we believe we can pull in 10 senior artists who would benefit. Volunteers and
special van pools would be utilized for transportation.
Goals Hope to Achieve with this Grant:
With the special outreach, the participation on the WALL would have to young and old
with everyone in between. Children are already a presence on the WALL.
Having them work side-by-side, the senior participants would bring about a true family
and community flavor.
Woodhull Playground
Woodhull Playground- “Up and Coming”
Total Amount Requested: $200.00
Program Description:
The prosed project will be described as a Summer Festival 2001. With the grant
received, the council plans to have a festival with entertainment, music and youth
games to increase community participation.
Goals Hope to Achieve with this Grant:
1. Bring to Community together.
2. For the community to get an opportunity to enjoy Woodhull Playground in 2001.
3. Show that Woodhull is a safe haven for all youth.
4. To help the playground grow as far as in our community fund.
5. Help for each activity.
Jeffery Manor Community Revitalization Council & Bradley Park
JMCRC and Bradley Park Community Festival. Total Amount Requested: $200.00
Program Description:
The Jeffery Manor Community Revitalization Council (JMCRC) will implement our annual
community festival. This will be our 2nd annual festival in conjunction with
Bradely Park, which is located in the community. This event bring out community
residents of all ages. It also provide a very important need for networking
which raises the level of information transfer and resource awareness. The JMCRC
recognizes the needs as well as the assets of its residents and community environment.
Goals Hope to Achieve with this Grant:
The goals are to provide outdoor activities, socialization enhancement and education
enhancement networking and resources.
Washington Park Advisory Council
Washington Park Discovery Days Total Amount Requested: $500.00
Program Description:
Discovery Days is an environmental program focusing on environmental education in
relation to Washington Parks natural areas. The event will target the 8 local
schools in the community to educate on the treasures of Washington Park.
Program Goals:
1) To have at least 500 students participate from the 8 local schools.
2) To provide tours of the park and add a new park perspective to the students.
3) To educate the students on hands-on science projects.
Gately Park Advisory Council
Spring Fling Extravaganza- Gately Park: Total Amount
Requested: $800.00
Program Description:
Our Spring Fling Extravaganza will be a senior fashion show and teen talent show.
Through this event, the council hopes to gain exposure and spark community interest
in the park. Also, we want to bridge the gap between the seniors and the teens.
Program Goals:
The Spring Fling Extravaganza focus is a community outreach project. Through
the event, the council wants to bring together all ages of this function. This
event will help us take one small step in returning Gately Park to its former prominence.
This event will show the neighboring community our advisory council’s viability and
spur more community involvement.
Commercial Park Advisory Council
Commercial Park Arts and Crafts Program
Total Amount Requested: $1,000.00
Program Description:
The Advisory Council will sponsor an arts and crafts program at Commercial Park for
children of all ages. In the past, an arts and crafts program did exist at the
park and was successful but due to budget constraints the program was eliminated.
The program is needed at the park and would be strongly supported by the community.
The council will set-up the arts and crafts room and provide materials and instruction.
Program Goals:
1) To clean and set up the arts and crafts room
2) To purchase arts and crafts materials
3) To set-up the schedule, market, and implement the program
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