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The Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA) is one of Chicago’s most successful grassroots civic organizations. Since 1947, we have worked to preserve and improve the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. We do that through proactive, effective programs that unify residents, institutions and businesses around the common cause of nurturing Chicago’s best neighborhood. BAPA’s events and communications foster the pride that is the hallmark of our busy and welcoming community. BAPA is the go-to resource for information, referrals and action.
Our motto says it all.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, BAPA is supported by membership donations from residents and businesses, as well as grants and gifts. To learn more about how you can help our efforts, visit Support BAPA.
The mission of the Beverly Area Planning Association is to sustain and enhance Beverly Hills/Morgan Park as a culturally diverse Village in the City with increasing home values, high quality schools, and thriving commercial areas.
BAPA’s mission-driven and ever-evolving services, events, and programs focus on issues that enhance the quality of life in our community: safety, schools, business services, outreach and communications.
The Villager, BAPA’s monthly newspaper, covers neighborhood people, businesses, places and events. It is delivered free to 16,000 homes, businesses and organizations in the BAPA service area. Submit news villagereditor@bapa.org. Learn more about advertising villagerads@bapa.org.
The Villager Neighborhood Notes Enews provides weekly updates on local news and events between issues of the paper. Sign up to receive it.
BAPA actively promotes the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park community via social media on Facebook and Instagram
BAPA is probably best known for our signature special events.
BAPA: Neighbors helping neighbors for 75 years.
Mary Jo Viero
Executive Director
Olivia DeSmit
Villager Editor
Davia Douglas
Community Relations Director
Michele Pettiford, President
Tim Doody, Vice President
Rachel Frances Hoge
Dr. Whitney Castle
Dr. Femi Skanes
Brian McKeown
Don Larisey
Dr. Eduardo Garza
Eve Raisleger
Maggie O’Reilly
Kellianne McDonough
Lauren Ditka
Founded in 1947, BAPA is a model for grassroots community organizing, bringing together staff and volunteers to advocate for all aspects of neighborhood living. Since its inception BAPA’s focus has expanded from neighborhood beautification and zoning concerns to larger issues confronting urban communities: business development and support, housing stock, diversity, education, and crime. Today, BAPA advocates on a variety of neighborhood issues, including small business support services, community outreach, neighborhood communications and engagement, crime prevention, and continued improvement of our local schools.
Beverly Hills/Morgan Park provides an excellent quality of life for its residents. Community hallmarks include architecturally and historically significant homes, quality public and private schools, vibrant shopping districts, and excellent public transportation including seven Metra/Rock Island commuter stations.
There are few other neighborhoods in the city that boast our cultural diversity and friendly atmosphere. Amenities include the Beverly Arts Center, John H. Vanderpoel Art Association Gallery, The Beverly Art Walk and a variety of venues offering live music, performance arts, fine arts, film, storytelling and more. Brewpubs, restaurants, juice bars and coffee shops add to the lively lifestyle. A full schedule of special events — including the city’s oldest neighborhood 10K race — appeal to homegrown families as well as visitors from throughout the metropolitan area.
Beverly Hills/Morgan Park is bounded by 87th Street to the north, 119th Street to the south, Vincennes Avenue to the east, and California Avenue to the west. Along our borders are the Dan Ryan Forest Preserves, Beverly Country Club, Ridge Country Club, Major Taylor Bike Trail and three historic cemeteries, and within the community are the Beverly Hills Tennis Club, the Morgan Park Sports Center and ice rink, Edna White Community Garden, and playlots and parks within walking distance of every home.
Through the heart of our neighborhood runs the Blue Island Ridge where the highest point in Chicago offers an amazing view of downtown. Large residential lots, abundant trees and an area unique in its bikability and walkability encourages an active lifestyle for all ages.
Home to the Potawatomi Native Americans until 1840s, the area once lay along the Vincennes Trail, a trade route for farmers and trappers traveling between Indiana and Chicago. In the 1860s, with the advent of the Rock Island Railroad commuter service, much of the land was sold for residential development. Housing boomed after the Great Chicago Fire when wealthy Chicagoans moved away from the ravaged city to enjoy the pleasures of rural living in large, lavish homes built atop the Blue Island Ridge hill. Convenient transportation to jobs and shopping downtown offered residents the best of both worlds – much the same as we enjoy today!
The architecture-rich neighborhood boasts every American house style built between the late 1800s and World War II: Victorian, Colonial, Georgian, Art Moderne, Prairie Style, Chicago Bungalow, and many more. Beautiful homes and a connection to community residents remain the main reasons that people decide to make their homes in Beverly Hills/Morgan Park. Local families are well-educated, earn good incomes, lead active and engaged lifestyles, and demand quality schools and amenities.
Learn more about becoming a Beverly Hills/Morgan Park neighbor by contacting BAPA bapa@bapa.org.
About half of BAPA’s budget comes from annual memberships from neighborhood residents and businesses.
The Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA) is a not-for-profit, community-based alliance of more than a dozen civic and business groups dedicated to serving the historic Beverly Hills/Morgan Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Beverly Area Planning Association
1744 W. 99th Street
Chicago, IL 60643
773-233-3100