Playground idea a big hit
Thursday,
April 27, 2006
By Courtney Greve
Staff writer
Unveiling a new $800,000 Mount
Greenwood Park playground during the
Chicago community's 100th birthday
celebration appears to be a winning
idea.
The plan was met with enthusiasm
and applause Tuesday at a meeting
attended by about 60 Chicago residents
who live in the far South Side
community.
"The park is the hub of the
neighborhood, and it's always
been," said Margaret Schroeder,
president of the Mount Greenwood
Residents Association. "The
community needs something like (the
playground) to get involved in the
centennial."
Initial designs for the playground
include a rubber play surface,
benches, public art, a large treehouse
play structure, and a renovated splash
pad. It also will have a fence and
gate to keep children in during the
day and teenagers out at night.
Half of the money has been raised
through a $200,000 park district grant
and $100,000 each from state Sen. Ed
Maloney (D-Chicago) and state Rep.
Kevin Joyce (D-Chicago).
A group of four mothers are
spearheading the effort and plan to
host a series of fundraisers to
generate $400,000.
A fund for the playground has been
set up through Parkways Foundation,
the nonprofit philanthropic arm of the
park district.
Checks payable to Mount Greenwood
Playlot Initiative can be mailed to
Parkways Foundation, 541 N. Fairbanks
Court, Suite 850, Chicago, IL 60611.
A volunteers meeting will be held
at 6 p.m. May 4 in the park fieldhouse,
3721 W. 111th St. For more
information, e-mail jam1998@wowway.com.
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