Rock Drawings Live Tour!
September 24
Join us as we take a wonderful tour of the amazing stone carvings along the lakefront!
One of the world’s most remarkable outdoor art treasures lies hidden in plain sight along Chicago’s Lake Michigan waterfront: thousands of anonymous stone carvings and paintings made over the course of the last century. On this walking tour north of Foster Avenue Beach we will see some of the finest of these carvings while learning about the history of the Chicago lakefront and why this flowering of spontaneous public art in our waterfront parks is unique in the world.
One of the world’s most remarkable outdoor art treasures lies hidden in plain sight along Chicago’s Lake Michigan waterfront: thousands of anonymous stone carvings and paintings made over the course of the last century. On this walking tour north of Foster Avenue Beach we will see some of the finest of these carvings while learning about the history of the Chicago lakefront and why this flowering of spontaneous public art in our waterfront parks is unique in the world.
gLOBAL rIVER sYSTEMS PLANNING
sEPTEMBER 1
Join us as we partner with Friends of the Chicago River hosting a virtual lecture about integrating Chicago's ecology into future urban plan.
Friends of the Parks is excited to partner with Friends of the Chicago River to host Şevin Yıldız, PhD from University Illinois Chicago. She will be presenting her research on urban River systems planning. Her work focuses on a new approach to incorporate urban designing, spatial planning and ecology. Friends of the Parks and Friends of the Chicago River will also add their work and advocacy with the Chicago River including movements surrounding the upcoming Bally's Casino. At the end there will be time for comments, questions, and discussion!
Friends of the Parks is excited to partner with Friends of the Chicago River to host Şevin Yıldız, PhD from University Illinois Chicago. She will be presenting her research on urban River systems planning. Her work focuses on a new approach to incorporate urban designing, spatial planning and ecology. Friends of the Parks and Friends of the Chicago River will also add their work and advocacy with the Chicago River including movements surrounding the upcoming Bally's Casino. At the end there will be time for comments, questions, and discussion!
Watch the Recording
View the Slides
DePave Chicago: a design approach and program to renature paved ground in communites
August 9
Join us as we partner with the Illinois Water Lab in their "DePave Chicago" design research project!
In this session, Mary Pat will discuss retrofitting urban imperviousness (focused on pavement) as a climate-adaption strategy for Chicago. Mary Pat will share research on the infrastructural condition of the urban ground plane, recent findings about the soils in Chicago, examples of depaving projects, and why she’s advocating for a depaving and pavement reduction campaign in Chicago to address stormwater flooding, urban heat island, lack of public space and tree canopy and of course….the case for more parks! This should be a lively discussion on design thinking for an abundant future for Chicago communities. Bring your ideas on where depaving and greening are needed most!
In this session, Mary Pat will discuss retrofitting urban imperviousness (focused on pavement) as a climate-adaption strategy for Chicago. Mary Pat will share research on the infrastructural condition of the urban ground plane, recent findings about the soils in Chicago, examples of depaving projects, and why she’s advocating for a depaving and pavement reduction campaign in Chicago to address stormwater flooding, urban heat island, lack of public space and tree canopy and of course….the case for more parks! This should be a lively discussion on design thinking for an abundant future for Chicago communities. Bring your ideas on where depaving and greening are needed most!
Watch the recording
View the slides from Julie Malnak FOTP Policy and Communications Associate
CDF Park Designs Showcase
July 20
After the successful and informative presentations from June 30, the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) students will return with their updated park designs. They heard the community feedback and will have incorporated it into their new designs for the park that was promised to the city.
Come to our virtual lecture to see their brilliant visions and to commune together for the removal of the toxic confined disposal facility (CDF) that pollutes our lakefront.
Come to our virtual lecture to see their brilliant visions and to commune together for the removal of the toxic confined disposal facility (CDF) that pollutes our lakefront.
Watch The recording
Take the Design Surveys!
After watching the video, use the polls below to tell us how viable you think each design is for the area!
View the slides
| cdf_redesignpdf.pdf |
CDF Park Design Session
June 30
On Jun 30, we hosted a virtual session facilitated by the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) summer design studio class. Informed by previous schematics from our community charettes years ago, as well as updated neighborhood input, they will be producing potential design scenarios for the CDF site once it finally becomes a park.
Next to Calumet Park, at the confluence of Calumet River and Lake Michigan, sits a Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) that stores the toxic sediment dredged from the Calumet river. IL General Assembly and Chicago Park District promised to convert the site into a park once the CDF was full.
Our student presenters from IIT brought passion and expertise in converting dredge and landfill facilities into parks, slate material, and landscape architecture.
Next to Calumet Park, at the confluence of Calumet River and Lake Michigan, sits a Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) that stores the toxic sediment dredged from the Calumet river. IL General Assembly and Chicago Park District promised to convert the site into a park once the CDF was full.
Our student presenters from IIT brought passion and expertise in converting dredge and landfill facilities into parks, slate material, and landscape architecture.
Watch the Recording
View the slides
| june_30th_workshop.pptx.pdf |
We also had a live Jamboard to get feedback from the attendees which you can view by clicking the document below:
| cdf_design_session_6_30_22__1_.pdf |
Visions and Future directions of the last four miles
June 15
We’ve been working diligently for the last few years on the Last 4 Miles vision segment that calls for the closure and capping of the Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) at the confluence of Lake Michigan and the Calumet River. But now, there is renewed opportunity to revisit and remind people about other parts of the plan, especially as concerns about lakeshore erosion and the possibility of federal infrastructure dollars energy.
Moderated by our Director of Policy and Advocacy Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger and Policy and Communications Associate Julie Malnak
Lecturers include:
-Paul Boyd
-Thom Greene
Hosted by:
-Maria Villallobos Hernandez, IIT Professor
Panel including:
-Kimberly Fair, Illinois Environmental Council
-Iyana Simba, Illinois Environmental Council
-Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes
Moderated by our Director of Policy and Advocacy Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger and Policy and Communications Associate Julie Malnak
Lecturers include:
-Paul Boyd
-Thom Greene
Hosted by:
-Maria Villallobos Hernandez, IIT Professor
Panel including:
-Kimberly Fair, Illinois Environmental Council
-Iyana Simba, Illinois Environmental Council
-Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes
Read our panelists' bios:
| netsch_lecture_speakers_list.docx |
Click the button to see our presentation slides:
| netsch_lecture_l4m.pptx.pdf |
Watch the recording
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