Sunday, May 20th, between 2 and 5 PM, Marty’s to Donate Profits to Friends of West Edgewater Park

Marty’s Martini Bar – 1151 W Balmoral Ave

It was so much fun last fall we wanted to do it again.  Help turn the site of the former Edgewater Medical Center into much needed park space for the whole Andersonville/West Edgewater communnity to enjoy.  On Sunday, May 20th, between 2 and 5 PM have another Parktiniwith friends and neighbors at Marty’s Martini Bar – 1151 W Balmoral Ave.  Once again Marty’s is donating 100% of the profit of all drinks served during that time to Friends of West Edgewater Park.  Marty’s has an expansive selection of wine and liquor, as well as non-alcohol beverages.  Thirsty for more news about what is happening with the site, stop by with family, friends, and neighbors for a drink and an update.  Please share this announcement either by forwarding the email or by telling your friends and neighbors about the event.

Supplemental

• Vea Cleary, a long time resident of Edgewater and current master’s candidate in interior design at Harrington College of Design, will be there to talk with those who would be interested in hearing about her bold ideas for a re-design of the Edgewater Medical Center site.  What does Vea propose?  Renovate one of the site’s buildings, partner it with a next generation building, locate in them an LGBTQ elders residential community center with affordable housing and a range of community-accessible amenities–pool, fitness center, shops–and set about them a neighborhood park.  Again, Vea, whose thesis has to do with community-driven exterior and interior design processes, is looking forward to the opportunity to talk with community members about her ideas, so do stop by.
• Would you like to write a letter to Mayor Emanuel, but don’t have the time to craft one?  We will have a letter there.  You can sign and we’ll mail it for you.
• Are you interested in getting involved, but don’t want to get overwhelmed?  If you could do just one specific task, we’d love to hear from you.
• Did you know on March 12th Mayor Emanuel announced a citywide, $290 million, five year plan “to complete more than 800 projects in parks, recreational areas and green spaces in neighborhoods across the city.” and that then on March 29th in prepared remarks announcing a $7 billion investment in our city’s infrastructure he further defined his goals:

We have to renew the parks that root us in our neighborhoods.  These investments mean that in five years, every Chicagoan will live within a 10-minute-walk to an improved neighborhood park. Our parks and playgrounds will be catalysts for stronger communities and a better quality of life for all of Chicago’s families.

If you’d like to read more, here are links to his press releases: March 12th and March 29th.

This Just In

It is our understanding Alderman O’Connor is calling a community meeting regarding the EMC property for Thursday, June 7th at 7pm at the Bingo Hall at St. Gregory’s. This should be a significant meeting because not only are the two partners from Waveland Partners–the development firm hired by the EMC Bankruptcy Estate to put together a marketing plan for the EMC property–scheduled to be there, but also because in December of 2011 the law firm representing the EMC Bankruptcy Estate requested of the bankruptcy court an extension of the time it has to resolve the bankruptcy from December 31, 2011 till June 29, 2012.  Save the date: June 7th at 7 P.M.  More to follow soon.

Volunteers needed to prepare the garden for winter

Dear Wear Garden Friends

The growing season has come to an end and we want to prepare the garden for winter. We need to dig up the cana lilies and dahlias to be stored for next season. The roses need their protection again from the winter weather.

Horst planted approx 160 bulbs of various spring flowers already, which will be a delight.

Time     SATURDAY, November 12
              approx. 9 AM 

Hope to see you there, your help will be appreciated.

Horst

Andersonville Consumer Survey

Collenn O’Toole, the Managing Director of the Andersonville Development Corporation, is encouraging folks to complete the ADC’s Andersonville Consumer Survey. It is part of the ADC’s “efforts to attract and retain businesses that best reflect the needs or our community.” The ADC’s goal is 1,000 respondents.

This is your chance to let the ADC know that you want a neighborhood park on the site of the former Edgewater Medical Center. Andersonville’s green reputation will be enhanced by building a neighborhood park there because a park will help reduce air pollution and stormwater runoff, and mitigate the effects of climate change. What is more, by increasing the available open-space in Edgewater, a neighborhood park will also increase both business and residential property values ultimately making Andersonville and Chicago an even greener and better place in which to visit, work, and live. So, take the few minutes to complete it. You’ll be entered to win two (2) Wine Walk tickets!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/andersonville

Dreaming of—and planning for—the Bloomingdale Trail

On October 1, The Trust for Public Land and our partners launched a four-day park planning charrette for the Bloomingdale Trail. More than 200 community members and planners gathered to collectively dream about-and strategically plan for-the future of this former rail line. More about the Bloomingdale Trail.

During this four-day planning session, participants shared their dreams, ideas, and concerns about the trail. Some of the major themes included: different needs for bikers and pedestrians, accessibility and safety issues, art installations, access points, and interactions with neighboring business. This short video captures the process and positive energy of these community meetings.

Join our growing team of insightful and inspiring community members at our next event in December. Stay tuned for details!

Go To Chicago Chapter of Trust for Public Land

Marty’s to Donate Profits to Friends of West Edgewater Park

On Sunday, October 30th, between 2 and 5 PM you can help turn the site of the former Edgweater Medical Center into 3 acres of park space that will benefit the whole Andersonville/West Edgewater community by sharing a drink with friends and neighbors at Marty’s Martini Bar – 1151 W Balmoral Ave.  Marty’s Martini Bar is donating 100% of the profit of all drinks served during that time to Friends of West Edgewater Park. 

 

 

In order to mark the occasion, Marty’s has mixed a special cocktail for the event, the Parktini.  Blending turn of the century, Parisian elegance Marty’s has an expansive selection of wine and liquor, as well as non-alcohol beverages.  We are looking forward to this follow-up to our successful summer fundraiser at Uncommon Ground.  So stop by for a drink with family, friends, and neighbors.  Members of our board will be there to hear your ideas, to share information, or to chat.  See you then.

 

 

Friends of West Edgewater Park

5315 N. Clark Street #228

Chicago, IL 60640

 

 

Aville Daily: Andersonville’s ‘Park Desert’ Status Bolsters Case for New Park

Blair Kamin’s story in Sunday’s Chicago Tribune lays out the case that despite Chicago’s stunning lakefront parks many of Chicago’s neighborhoods turn into ‘park deserts’ the moment you leave the lakefront — bereft of a place for residents to exercise or children to play.

32 of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods are deemed park deserts — lacking the requisite two acres of open land for every 1,000 residents.  But more shocking is that Edgewater and Rogers Park are two of only three neighborhoods along the lake deemed ‘park deserts’. And it’s obvious why.  If you live in Edgewater along Lake Michigan, there is a great park and trail.  But step one mile inland to Andersonville — and there is no green space to be found.  Andersonville is ‘park poor.’
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Chicago Tribune: Half of city’s 2.7 million people live in park-poor areas

Cramped Chicago

Lakefront’s parkland disguises severe shortage in many inland neighborhoods

October 09, 2011|By Blair Kamin, Tribune architecture critic

Chicago’s high-toned Latin motto, “Urbs in Horto” (City in a Garden), makes it sound as though the expansive open spaces of the city’s lakefront extend to every corner of the city.

They don’t.

Despite former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s much-ballyhooed push for new parks and playgrounds, one-half of Chicago’s 2.7 million people still live in community areas that fail to meet the city’s own modest standard: For every 1,000 people, there should be 2 acres of open space, an area roughly the size of Soldier Field’s entire playing surface.

 
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