Recent News

The Wilson Park Advisory Council fundraiser "Our Investment in Their Future" cocktail party and silent auction held  on Saturday October 24th generated over $7,000!  Food, drinks, and catering were graciously provided by Dave Samber of Polo Nut & Catering!!

We were very honored to have Alderman James Balcer and Senator Antonio [Tony] Munoz in attendance.

Other sponsors were:

Drago Batar of Eastbank Artists' Lofts; Mike Pilkington of the Bridgeport Coffee House;Ron Filbert of Filbert's Soda;Chicago White Sox; Chicago Bears; Salon Hydrate; Enso karate studio; Roger AbiNader; Matt Rogatz; Sandra & Dave Matual; Christine Rios; Karma Yacht Sales; Buffalo Wings & Rings; Looking Good Car Wash; artist Sally Ko; artist Elizabeth Buchanan; Lisa Burke-Snyder; Marian Cioe; Larry Olive of Triangle Sign Co., Nancy Zapata; Luna Negra Dance Theatre; Michael Thoney Photography; AG Photography; Tom Krueger; Jessica Wilson; Hyde Park Periodontics; Chicago Skin Solutions; Lil Kickers; Janette Maysonett of Flores Del Amour

Thank you!

John P. Wilson Park is going to be rehabbed in August 2010! You and your family have a unique opportunity to be a part of history!  Let everyone in the future know that you were an integral part of the beautiful changes that were made to John P. Wilson Park in 2010!

BUY A BRICK: For $50 the easiest way to be a part of history is by purchasing a brick with your family name on it.  The bricks will be prominently displayed for everyone to see -- your kids will have fun looking for your family name every time they come to the park!  [Only names, dates, and "In memory of..." are allowed].

ADOPT A TREE: For $800 you can adopt one of the new trees going into the park!  Your name will not be on the tree but you will receive a certificate which you can give to your children.

BUY A BENCH OR TABLE: For $2000 you can have your family name put on a bench or picnic table in the park.

Please print and fill in the Commemorative Paver Order Form to include your name, address, phone number, and desired inscription.  

Make your check out to *"The Parkways Foundation" and be sure to put "John P. Wilson Park " in the memo.  Mail your order form and check to The Parkways Foundation, 541 N. Fairbanks Ct., Chicago, IL 60611.  All orders are subject to approval by the Chicago Park District.  Your brick will be installed after the rehab of John P. Wilson Park is complete.

*The Parkways Foundation is a 501c3 so your donations are tax deductible.

Thank you for your support!

Wilson Park Advisory Council

The Chicago Park District and the Wilson Park Advisory Council  hosted "Kung Fu Panda" in John P. Wilson Park on Thursday June 25th!   Everyone had a great time....already looking forward to next Summer!

TIF dollars are going to be used and construction is set to begin after summer camp in August 2010!! NOW is the time to purchase a personalized brick to go in the new play area! Send a check for $50 per brick to the Parkways Foundation and put "Wilson Park bricks" in the memo.

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!

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.

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!

We would like to give a huge "Thank you" to the following individuals and businesses:

• Alderman James Balcer and the 11th Ward Office Staff
• 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

Dear Park Supporter!

            Wilson Park, located at 1122 W. 34^th 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 $200,000.

            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. 

            Help Wilson Park reach our $200,000 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

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