Publish Date
January 31 public meeting
Superintendent Michael P. Kelly addresses the community at the January 31 public meeting at South Shore Cultural Center.
Photo: Chicago Park District

Public meetings to be held March 13 & 14 at the South Shore Cultural Center
 
As part of the ongoing South Lakefront Framework Plan, which has held 11 public meetings to date, the Chicago Park District announced today that it will host two final community meetings to present and solicit community feedback on the draft framework plan for Jackson and South Shore Parks. The plan reflects community input expressed during the previous public meetings, which began in June of 2017.
 
“Public input has been essential to the development of a robust framework plan for Jackson and South Shore Parks," said Superintendent & CEO Michael P. Kelly. “We invite community stakeholders to continue to help shape the plan by participating in the next round of community meetings.”
 
The meetings will be held on March 13 and March 14 at the South Shore Cultural Center, located at 7059 S. South Shore Dr., from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The meetings will be held in an open-house format, with a presentation of the draft South Lakefront Framework Plan to begin at 6:15 pm.
 
The meetings will be focused on the options for recreational, ecological and cultural park uses. No new information will be presented about the Obama Presidential Center itself or proposed transportation improvements. The golf plan will be incorporated into the draft. The meetings will include a presentation of the draft framework plan with open house boards available for a closer look following the presentation. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about and weigh in on the draft framework plan that outlines recreational, ecological and cultural park uses as well as capital improvements. The plan was developed based on feedback received from residents, existing park conditions and potential new projects.
 
Meeting participants will have the opportunity to analyze, question and comment on the draft framework plan. Park planners will engage with the community during the public forum to discuss the framework plan and implementation strategies. Throughout this planning process, insights from park users has been instrumental in informing the framework plan for Jackson Park and the South Shore Cultural Center. The Chicago Park District encourages community members and organizations to attend the meetings and voice their views on the updates to the South Lakefront Framework Plan.
 
This is the final round of meetings about the South Lakefront Framework Plan, which began in June 2017 and continued with open houses in September, December and January.

For updates on the planning process and access to materials from past public meetings, visit www.southlakefrontplan.com

-30-


South Lakefront Framework Plan
The South Lakefront Framework Plan will establish a vision for the future of Jackson Park and the South Shore Cultural Center. The 2017 Plan is an update to the 1999 South Lakefront Framework Plan and will adjust for new projects underway for the parks, while taking into account the needs of the community. The Framework Plan will create a plan for the next ten years to respond to neighborhood needs and historic context; provide a vision for improvements and serve as a planning tool; and outline priorities to deliver improvements in a coordinated manner. For more information on these projects and the South Lakefront Framework, please visit www.southlakefrontplan.com.
 
The Chicago Park District is the 2014 Gold Medal Award winner, recognized for excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 8,800 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 11 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling, 312/742.PLAY.