During our 2022 Parks as Democracy? Luncheon and Conference, we celebrated individuals and groups who do so much for Chicago's parks and park users. Click here to return to the full list of VIP (Volunteers-in-Parks) Awardees.
Park Advisory Council Leadership
Milton and Dorothy Chandler, Park 581
If you were to look up Park 581 on the Park District website you would find the following description along with the photo of an open field; “Park No. 581 is 8.74 acres and it is located in the Morgan Park community area. This is a passive green space for you to enjoy nature.” But once you dig a little deeper, you will find that “The Prairie”, as the neighbors refer to this green space that officially became a park five years ago, has so much more going on.
With Milton as treasurer and Dorothy as chair of the community garden committee, the Park 581 PAC has had a remarkably successful run since its founding in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic! In addition to the Community Garden, which is supported by a Connecting Communities Award, the PAC has installed a Little Free Library, hosted several clean ups including Earth Day, a post 4th fireworks clearing, and It’s your Park Day along with installing pet waste stations. This PAC was even one of 21 finalists for the Chicago Works Grant!
And right in the midst of all this activity are Milton and Dorothy! No task is too big or too small for them. Their contributions are so many from volunteering at clean ups, planning and designing for the community garden, distributing community surveys, attending workshops to improve the community, making several bank runs as Treasurer and keeping meticulous records. They are the first to volunteer whenever needed and are highly respected and loved in their community. Their selfless acts have benefited the park and community by making it safer. They implemented a phone tree and worked closely with the CAPS officer in the district to help keep an eye on the park. They walk the park every day to exercise and carry a bag to pick up garbage along the way. This incredible couple is a testament to community love, care and devotion. Thank you, Milton and Dorothy Chandler, for your dedication as part of Park 581 PAC.
Milton and Dorothy Chandler, Park 581
If you were to look up Park 581 on the Park District website you would find the following description along with the photo of an open field; “Park No. 581 is 8.74 acres and it is located in the Morgan Park community area. This is a passive green space for you to enjoy nature.” But once you dig a little deeper, you will find that “The Prairie”, as the neighbors refer to this green space that officially became a park five years ago, has so much more going on.
With Milton as treasurer and Dorothy as chair of the community garden committee, the Park 581 PAC has had a remarkably successful run since its founding in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic! In addition to the Community Garden, which is supported by a Connecting Communities Award, the PAC has installed a Little Free Library, hosted several clean ups including Earth Day, a post 4th fireworks clearing, and It’s your Park Day along with installing pet waste stations. This PAC was even one of 21 finalists for the Chicago Works Grant!
And right in the midst of all this activity are Milton and Dorothy! No task is too big or too small for them. Their contributions are so many from volunteering at clean ups, planning and designing for the community garden, distributing community surveys, attending workshops to improve the community, making several bank runs as Treasurer and keeping meticulous records. They are the first to volunteer whenever needed and are highly respected and loved in their community. Their selfless acts have benefited the park and community by making it safer. They implemented a phone tree and worked closely with the CAPS officer in the district to help keep an eye on the park. They walk the park every day to exercise and carry a bag to pick up garbage along the way. This incredible couple is a testament to community love, care and devotion. Thank you, Milton and Dorothy Chandler, for your dedication as part of Park 581 PAC.
