Park Advisory Council Achievements
FOTP congratulates Madiem Kawa for her recognition by Governor Pat Quinn as a 2009 Environmental Hero
CHICAGO – December 29, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today awarded 22 individuals and groups from across Illinois with 2009 Environmental Hero Awards. The annual award is given in recognition of a strong commitment to the health and protection of the environment in Illinois.
“This year’s honorees are Illinois’ true environmental heroes,” said Governor Quinn. “I am proud to salute them for their work to make the Land of Lincoln a cleaner, greener, and better place for everyone.”
Madiem Kawa is the founder and leader of the Washington Park Conservancy. Through the Conservancy, she coordinates Washington Park GreenKids and Teen Ecological Adventure, two hands-on educational programs that inspire and train youth to be stewards of woodland, wetland, and prairie habitats.
The Ashe Park Advisory Council (APAC) tackled a sixty foot wide right of way next to the beach and Ashe Park. The area had not been maintained until the APAC came along! On Saturday, November 28, over 30 community volunteers filled over thirty blue bags with trash and another seven with compost. As a result of their hard work, there is a dramatic improvement in the park. The ongoing mission of the effort is to provide a practical example of responsible stewardship.
The Friends of the Eugene Field Park Playlot and the Eugene Field Park Advisory Council (EFPAC) were named the $25,000 grand prize winner of the Staples Dream Park Challenge. Staples, Inc. teamed with the Chicago Bears to launch the challenge for the third consecutive year. 14 Chicagoland parks competed for the chance to win. This team worked diligently with the park supervisor, Alderman and CAPS office to coordinate their significant marketing efforts. The council used social networks (Facebook and Twitter), canvassed the neighborhood, distributed flyers during Halloween events and regularly emailed their email distribution list to garner their 125,171 votes.
The Jackson Park Advisory Council (JPAC) is pleased to announce and acknowledge a very generous grant from The Care of Trees to the value of approximately $10,000 in the form of equipment and labor. The project in Wooded Island will be carried out jointly by Care of Trees and the Chicago Park District. The result will be an enhancement of the park as both a Chicago Park District natural area and bird sanctuary. The area draws thousands of visitors annually.
The Wicker Park Advisory Council (WPAC) has been awarded a generous grant from the SSA#33 Commissioners in support of the restoration and reinstallation of the Charles Gustavus Wicker Sculpture in Wicker Park. The grant had been submitted by the Wicker Park Garden Club and Wicker Park Advisory Council in November.
The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce provided significant funding support of the 8-fountain court urns and the Wicker Park Trio- Music-Garden-Historic Tour Series in support and partnership with the Chicago Park District, the WPGarden and the Wicker Park Advisory Council to create a great park for the neighborhood.
