2012 Annual Meeting and Luncheon
FOTP 37th Annual Meeting February 2, 2012
The Friends of the Parks 37th Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon was held on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the historic Chicago Cultural Center.
Friends of the Parks honored the following groups and individuals for thier dedication and work in Chicago’s parks and preserves:
Individual Award – James Nelson for his leadership and commitment to improve the maintenance, security and programs in Bronzeville parks including Mandrake, Sumac and Taylor Parks.
Corporate Award – The Care of Trees for their volunteer partnership with Friends of the Parks to train volunteers on the proper technique for planting and maintaining park trees.
Advocacy Award – Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail for their years of advocacy to convert a 3-mile long abandoned railroad into a bike/pedestrian/linear park and for new entry parks along the trail.
Community Award – Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities for their successful healthy living program advocating for healthy foods in park vending machines, and promotion of walking access to parks
Park Advisory Council Award – Elm Park Advisory Council for insuring that Elm Park is not taken for a parking lot. Through special events and volunteer plantings Elm Park became the heart center of a Hyde Park neighborhood.
Legislative Award – Alderman Leslie Hairston for protecting parks from encroachments, improving the 63rd Street Beach and promoting citizen participation in park decisions.
Legislative Award – Alderman Patrick O’Conner for increasing the amount of park space in the 40th Ward. Over 20 acres of land were acquired from the Rose hill Cemetery for a park along with parcels and a plan for new parks in the Bowmanville neighborhood.
Leon M. Despres Lifetime Commitment to Parks Award – Jim Macdonald for his lifetime work as a passionate and hardworking environmentalist. Jim has worked for decades as a steward for Gompers Park turning a natural area into a healthy ecosystem.
