Thanks to the many
wonderful volunteers and generous neighbors, we have received the good news
regarding the goal we have been working towards since September of last year.
The Chicago Park District (CPD) has published their budget for 2009, and
Sauganash Park is on the list to begin the design process for a new playground.
What does that mean?
Basically, we have raised enough money, and shown so much community support,
that the CPD has given us the go ahead to move into the design phase. It will
take about four or five months for the park district to assign an architect who
will be responsible for the design of our particular park. Once that happens,
we will also receive a dedicated project manager to oversee our entire project.
We will hold community meetings where we will all have a chance to see the
options and get to voice our opinions on what equipment we would like to have
in our new playground.
The design process will run
through 2009. Between now and then, if we are able to raise the remaining
$80,000 that we need to reach our goal of $250,000 we will move into the
build-out phase, which (if all goes smoothly) would take most of 2010.
We have truly made
incredible progress in this project, and thanks to you we have actually raised
more from the community than we originally had planned! However, based on the
short-fall in the state budget, we have a bit further to go in order for a new,
safer playground to become a reality.
If you are interested in helping out in any way
or have a great idea for fund-raising, please contact Sauganash Neighbors for a
New Park by emailing info@sauganashneighbors.com. Please also consider buying a
brick with your name engraved in it to be a part of this wonderful neighborhood
project - this would make a great Christmas gift! We need everyone's help to
get to the finish line. When we do get there, the new playground will be a
fantastic asset to the entire neighborhood.
