Chicago Park District : Questions & Answers from 1/9/17 Jackson Park Advisory Council Meeting

Questions & Answers from 1/9/17 Jackson Park Advisory Council Meeting

Chicago Park District representatives recently attended the Jackson Park Advisory Council's monthly meeting. Due to large attendance and time constraints, some attendees were unable to ask their questions personally. Below, please find responses to the remaining questions. Please note that for brevity, duplicate or redundant questions have been removed.

Newspaper accounts of the proposed golf course project suggest that a plan is already in place, in outline form if not complete detail. When will you release that plan to the public for review and comment?

Such a suggestion is false. The first step to laying out a plan was taken on Wednesday, January 11 when the Board of Commissioners approved a contract for the survey and engineering pre work to be

done. Upon completion, a design can be developed that can be shared with the community.

Does the plan by Tiger Woods involved merely "tweaking" the existing golf course, or, as is often the case with professional golf course design, removing all living things and starting with sterile soil?

It is anticipated that there will be a complete redesign of the golf courses to bring them up to industry standards. The recently approved JJR contract scope will include evaluating the existing courses and buildings (for example, the stables and beach concession at South Shore) for potential upgrades or renovations as well so many familiar park buildings are likely to remain.

How much will the use of pesticides and fertilizers be increased? How will this impact the birds? How much more water will be required? How will this impact the lake and harbor?

Jackson and South Shore are already part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf Courses program that is an education and certification program to protect the environment, including enhancing natural areas and wildlife areas. Part of the certification program includes chemical use reduction and water conservation as its main tenants.

Will this upgraded golf course be fenced and gated as is often the case with professional-grade golf courses, or will the upgraded golf course continue to be largely unfenced and highly accessible as is now the case?

We are still looking into the details, but fencing is likely for public safety reasons. Other CPD golf courses are fenced such as at Sydney R. Marovitz golf course for this reason.

How will this upgraded golf course affect the 67th street playground? South Shore neighbors? Jackson Heights residents? The South Shore Cultural Center? La Rabida? Commuters along Stony Island, Jeffrey, and South Shore Drive?

As survey and planning work continue, we look forward to conversations with many community members and stakeholders about how the golf course, other park elements and important community assets will be impacted.

There is the perception in the community that there might be an air of exclusivity of the Jackson Park Golf Course is upgraded to a championship course, especially if Tiger Woods becomes involved in its design, Community members definitely don't want exclusivity!

The Chicago Park District is committed to making certain that the course remains accessible to the community and residents of the city of Chicago.

Will the CPD be willing to guarantee that local school physical education programs and CPD programs will have access to the golf course for physical education and for sports competitions?

The Chicago Park District is absolutely committed to have opportunities for youth to play, use and enjoy the expanded golf course.

Will lower rates be available for seniors?

The Chicago Park District has yet to determine rates, but can assure the community that like all of our programs, the pricing will be designed to be accessible to Chicago residents.

"We are all concerned about possible commercialization of a new improved golf course. In particular, it is a common practice for business operations, including vendors: food, sports equipment etc. Too often commerce can become a driver in the operations of sports venues. Does the CPD have a plan for managing commercial investment ie. vendors on a new golf course? "

Plans to manage business operations will come along with the planning progresses. The community can be assured that the golf course will remain accessible to the community and Chicago residents.

Who do you see for jobs on these projects? How many jobs will be available? What kind of jobs?

While we do not have exact numbers, we believe that this project will result in job creation. We anticipate a signification amount of construction and hospitality jobs along with a youth caddy program.

When will bidding begin?

Bidding dates have not been determined, as funds still need to be raised by the Chicago Park Golf Alliance.

Has anyone proposing the development of the Jackson Park Golf Course question or had an inkling of moral dilemma with the investment of $30 million into an old course when education, employment, and a host of other disparities exist in nearby neighborhoods? Can the $30 million be spent in alleviating community ailments affecting thousands as opposed to building and adult playground for a few hundred?

The Chicago Park District is the leading provider of recreation in the city of Chicago. We have nearly 600 parks throughout the city of Chicago and year-round programming. As such, we employ thousands of Chicagoans, including up to 4,000 individuals during our peak season of May-October. Many of those that we employ are teens and young adults who service parks in their own neighborhoods. In fact, we are the largest single provider of employment to teens in the state of Illinois. Further, we provide recreation opportunities for citizens from youth to seniors.

Our largest revenue generator is Soldier Field. The funds generated from our partnership with the Bears, concerts and special events at Soldier Field supports parks throughout the city of Chicago.

It is our opinion that parks improve the quality of life, and as such, every project that we engage in is intended to support that purpose.

Right now people use the golf course and surrounding trails and walks for walking, cross country skiing and biking. Will the golf area of the park be closed for those activities, especially when the weather is not amenable to golf?

We intend to keep such recreational opportunities available. We will work toward this goal during the design process.

"From reports in the media and recently release emails from the Mayor indicate there have been planning taking place for months (if not years) for this golf course renovation. What are the formal and informal vehicles for the community to engage in decision making not just advisory process?" Discussions regarding the renovation of the Jackson Park and South Shore Cultural golf courses date back to the Jackson Park Framework plan of the early 2000s, or prior. The recent announcement of formation of the Chicago Parks Golf Alliance, and the Alliance's desire to raise funds will allow us to seriously consider this project. The Chicago Park District will host a number of opportunities to allow key stakeholders and members of the public to solicit community feedback in the coming months.

When will there be more meetings?

The Chicago Park District will attend the 5th ward meeting of Ald. Leslie Hairston on Tuesday, January 24 to discuss the project and seek out community input. A Chicago Park District representative will also attend Jackson Park Advisory Committee meetings for the next several months to solicit community feedback.

How much will golf cost for residents?

We do not have an exact price at this time, but as with all Chicago Park District planning, we are committed to keeping the fees accessible to Chicago residents. Residents outside of Chicago will face premium fees.

If fishing was always banned in the lagoons surrounding the Wooded Isle why did the Park District install fishing piers on the north end of the lagoon by the Hays Bridge and on the south end by the driving range? They were removed during the recent renovation of the park

Fishing has never been allowed on Wooded Island, and will not be in the future. Fishing is not allowed in the lagoon surrounding wooded island during construction, but will be permitted when construction fences are removed from the outer shoreline. Fishing is allowed and encouraged in the Columbia Basin and in the harbors. The Columbia Basin is stocked for sport fish.

The PD has not used the South Shore Cultural Center as a community or arts center or kept it up or invested in equipment for quality shows-will this change? Will access to the lake and South Shore beach be improved or hindered? Will facilities at the beach including ice cream and the beach house be improved, and a high quality restaurant open regularly?

The Chicago Park District's South Shore Cultural Center has stand alone classes, summer camp activities and after school programs that feature dance, theater, visual arts and crafts, fiber arts and

ceramics. The Cultural Summer Camp includes Dance, Theater and Photography camps that all come together for a successful showcase. In addition, South Shore Cultural Center hosts numerous short term concerts and performances for the community. Recent examples have included the South Shore Opera Company, Court Theater, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Najwa Dance Group, West Point Steel Orchestra, and Movies in the Parks. The Center will continue to operate as a Cultural Center and will not be impacted by the golf course project.

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners held Public Hearings on the location of the Obama Presidential Library at Jackson Park and Washington Park. The meetings were recorded and videotaped for the official record. I attended both hearings and stayed to listen to hours of speakers to the very end. Why there are no public hearings, only informal meetings, on the plan to merge and redevelop the South Shore and Jackson Park golf courses to qualify for PGA status for professional golf tournaments.

Do you know the CPD requirements to hold a public hearing? Can the alderman request public hearings in the communities involved?"

Discussions regarding the renovation of the Jackson Park and South Shore Cultural golf courses date back to the Jackson Park Framework plan of the early 2000s, or prior. The recent announcement of formation of the Chicago Parks Golf Alliance, and the Alliance's desire to raise funds will allow us to seriously consider this project. The Chicago Park District will host a number of opportunities to allow key stakeholders and members of the public to solicit community feedback in the coming months.

What will happen to the Cultural Center Nature Sanctuary dedicated June 29, 2002?

The Chicago Park District is working with an engineering company to do surveys, soil sampling, shoreline protections, tree inventories etc. The goal of the Jackson Park/South Shore Cultural Center golf course project is to enhance both the golf courses, and each park. Impact on the natural area will be considered as part of the design process.

What will happen to the Cultural Center's public beach?

Still stays a public beach. We would love to replace the existing beach house with a newer modern looking building.

What will happen to the Cultural Center?

The Chicago Park District's South Shore Cultural Center will remain a cultural gem. The Chicago Park District's South Shore Cultural Center has stand-alone classes, summer camp activities and after school programs that feature dance, theater, visual arts and crafts, fiber arts and ceramics. The Cultural Summer Camp includes Dance, Theater and Photography camps that all come together for a successful showcase. In addition, South Shore Cultural Center hosts numerous short term concerts and performances for the community. Recent examples have included the South Shore Opera Company, Court Theater, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Najwa Dance Group, West Point Steel Orchestra, and Movies in the Parks. Finally, the Chicago Park District is investing over $3M in upgrades to the building in 2017 and 2018.

Why are there ignored, unreported, or untreated park tree diseases in Jackson Park by Forestry and Natural Areas.

The Chicago Park District does a regular inventory of trees at parks across the city of Chicago, including those in Jackson Park. There are not ignored, unreported or untreated park tree diseases in Jackson Park. Ash trees in Jackson Park, like all ash trees in our region, have been impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer epidemic. The Chicago Park District is removing and replacing ash trees city-wide. To date, several hundred ash trees in Jackson Park have been removed by a combination of Park District forestry crews and contractors for the Army Corps of Engineers. There are approximately 200 ash trees remaining to be removed in the park. Crews are actively working on removals and will continue to complete this work through 2017. Tar spots have also been seen on some maples in the park. This is a cosmetic concern and does not harm the trees.

What is the expertise of park WI project directors and the natural areas team directors, and Forestry department? The writer requests a Field Museum Scientist or a PH.D. specializing in trees to evaluate JP work.

The Wooded Island project is managed by the District's capable Natural Resources staff, which includes certified arborists, ecologists, and landscape architects with many years of experience with tree care. In addition, the United States Army Corps or Engineer's ecologists have surveyed the trees in Jackson.