Recent News
Movie in the Park enjoyed by all!
Another great movie "Transformers" was enjoyed by lots of neighborhood families! There was a jumping jack, hot dogs, popcorn, and no rain :) Thanks to Miss Gina and her staff!
Click here for pictures!
$20,000 donation and new goal!
Tripp Lite has made a $20,000 donation to the Wilson Park rehab project! Speaking to the Chicago Park District after receiving the donation, they realize that we are serious and have agreed to give us a brand new playground once we have $200,000! We are so close to our goal! $130,000 more to go!
Jazz on the Lawn - a great time!!
Thanks to everyone who came out for some really wonderful jazz. The kids had a great time making instruments, listening to stories, and singing songs with Wiggleworms from Old Town School. Click here for some great pictures.
Thanks to Tripp Lite and Clyde Printing for sponsoring such an incredible event in Wilson Park -- let's hope for many more in the future!
Wilson Park Problems
WPAC recently learned that John P. Wilson park has a safety rating of 64.7 and less than 68 is considered unsafe!
Things that are considered in the safety rating could be:
- places where a child's head could get stuck.
- wood chips that are not raked regularly leaving exposed hard surfaces where a child could get injured.
- new parks will no longer contain wood features because of possible toxins used in the processing of wood.
Click here for photos of Wilson Park Problems.
How it Works
In order to rehab a Chicago Park District park, the Advisory Council is tasked with working with a project manager of the Chicago Park District to create a framework plan. WPAC sat with Bob Foster of the Chicago Park District for approximately a year and created a framework plan with a price tag of $1.2 million. This framework plan includes a new playground with a "spongy" bottom, all new playground equipment, a new spray pool moved closer to the new playground, new lighting, new plumbing, new walkways, more benches, removal of asphalt, more grass. WPAC is responsible for raising 1/3 of the framework plan budget or approx. $400,000. Once $400,000 is raised then the Chicago Park District will match with $400,000. The final 3rd will then be the responsiblity of our government officials such as our Alderman, Senators, etc. We've rec'd a donation of $50,000 from a local developer [Aberdeen LLC] so far which is being held in a 501c3 account at the Parkways Foundation. And that's where we were....trying to locate another $350,000. And then Tripp Lite made a generous donation of $20,000! Now, we have $70,000 and instead of a goal of $350,000 we have been promised that once we reach $200,000 we will get a brand new playground with a spongy bottom and everything! So only $130,000 to go!
"Thank you" to our Current Sponsors and Supporters!
We would like to give a huge "Thank you" to the following individuals and businesses:
Alderman James Balcer and Deb Norton
Aberdeen LLC - $50,000
Tripp Lite - $20,000
Clyde Printing - $200 and free printing
Stephanie Augsburger
ACME Refining Scrap Iron & Metal Co. - 3357 S. Justine St.
Avenue Web Media (773) 577-3411
Johnson Pipe & Supply - 999 W 37th St
K & K Pattern Works - 1200 W 35th St, #268
Polo Cafe & Catering - 3322 S Morgan St
Freddie's Pizza - 701 W 31st St.
Fedex Kinkos - 1242 S. Canal St.
Pulaski Savings Bank - 3156 S Morgan St
Wilson Park Flea Market - 7/26/08
Wilson Park and Ms. Gina held a flea market in the park on Saturday July 26th.
Rental fee was $15.00 per table. Please contact Gina Arredia, the park supervisor, at 312-747-7002 with any questions about the next one!
Family Fun Day 8/28/08
Join us for "Family Fun Day" on August 28th, 2008!
Throughout the day there will be a jumping jack and many other interesting activities. In the evening, will be showing the movie Transformers.
Become a Wilson Park supporter
Dear Park Supporter!
Wilson Park, located at 1124 W. 34th Street, is a heavily used Chicago Park District recreation area that has served as a neighborhood gathering place for over 75 years. In 1933, the City Council named Wilson Playground in honor of Bridgeport Alderman John P. Wilson (1893-1968). Ever since, Wilson Park has offered the community green space as well as dynamic and affordable programming for children and seniors. Wilson Park offers a preschool for 3-5 year olds, arts & crafts, free seasonal sports clubs, and a senior citizens club as well as a “Movie in the Park” every summer.
The playground at John P. Wilson Park is greatly in need of updated equipment and surfaces. Our goal is to offer the community a new “universally accessible playground,” a spraypool, and athletic field that will allow children of all abilities the chance to play together on the same state of the art equipment. The cost of an updated, accessible playground is immense. With private and corporate support along with the dedication and renewed excitement from the community, we can reach our goal of $500,000.
Wilson Park truly has a dedicated staff and a new and energized group of community volunteers who are committed to seeing positive changes in their neighborhood for themselves and their children. Stay tuned for more information on one of the special events we will be hosting this summer a “Family Fun Day Festival.” A day of great family activities capped off with the movie “Transformers” out in the park on August 28, 2008.
Help Wilson Park reach our $500,000 goal. Dollars go directly to Wilson Park’s much needed improvements. Please visit the donations page for information about donating by check or credit card.
Thank you for your support!
For donation inquiries visit our Donations Page or contact:
Mardi Jungenberg, Wilson Park Advisory Council President
(773)847-8288 or
