Ridge Park PAC December
Members of the Ridge Park Advisory Council attended the Ridge Park construction kickoff in December, celebrating the project designs to make the Ridge Park fieldhouse more accessible and functional. The renovation is expected to cost $2.5 million.
Plans call for new elevator serving three floor levels, and new ComEd electrical service to the fieldhouse; auditorium accessibility improvements, including: stage and lighting modifications, a new dividing curtain, and interior painting; and gym lobby accessibility improvements, including an all-gender washroom, ramp, new lighting, new sound booth for the auditorium, and new floor, wall and ceiling finishes.
The project is expected to be under construction through the end of November 2023. Activities will impact accessibility to the fieldhouse; the John H. Vanderpoel Art Gallery will be closed until the construction project is completed.
The RPAC will hold election of officers at the meeting tentatively scheduled for Thurs., Jan. 19, 6 p.m. at Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr. President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasure are all on the ballot. Additionally, the PAC expects to get some feedback concerning staffing and programming issues at the park, as well as a timeline for renovations. Information: Gary Jenkins, gbyrd711@icloud.com.
Cosme Park PAC
Keep an eye on the Cosme PAC Facebook and Instagram pages for snow-related pop-up events like sledding and snowman building. For information on upcoming meetings sign up at linktr.ee/cosmeparkadvisorycouncil to receive emails.
Park 581 PAC
Congratulations to Park 581 PAC members Milton and Dorothy Chandler who were recently honored by Friends of the Parks with Park Advisory Council Leadership Awards. The Chandlers are outstanding PAC leaders who gift the park with their stewardship, time, and talent, pitching in for every park cleanup for not just Park 581, but also with BAPA and Chicago Park District. “Whenever volunteers are needed, Milton and Dorothy are the first to offer to help and devote their time so generously,” said Ivette Williams, PAC Board Secretary. “They are both a joy to work with on any projects and have contributed so much to our PAC.”
Persons interested in supporting Park 581, located at 116th and Oakley and known as The Prairie Park, can learn more about the PAC and becoming members on Facebook (search The Prairie Park) or via email at Park581.Oakley@gmail.com.
Park 581 PAC meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month, 6:30 p.m., Kennedy Park, 113th and Western. The next meeting is Jan. 10.
Send your park’s PAC news to The Villager, villagereditor@bapa.org.
