Horner Park Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes
John Lyman – Vice President, presiding, called the meeting to order at 7:48 PM. Peter Schlossman acted as Secretary for this meeting. The meeting was held at Jacob Park. See roster below for attendance.
Previous Minutes: The minutes of the May 2010 meeting were approved with comments noted.
Treasurer’s Report: The following funds are in HPAC accounts: Checking: $6,406, Savings: $15,642, Paypal: $3,934. Total = $25,982
The bank balances are reconciled with HPAC books.
Council Business: Election of officers is held on October. A slate of candidates is needed by September’s meeting. Peter Schlossman & John O’Connell are sitting on the nominating committee.
Announcements: River Day held May 8 was a success. June 26 is the concert and movie in the park. Greater Rockwell Organization’s garage sale is the weekend after the meeting.
Concert Committee: The committee raised $12,000 this year and the first concert was rained out. It will be rescheduled for a date in August.
Garden Committee: No report
Web Site: No report.
Volunteer Committee: No report.
Park Briefs:
Horner Park: 200 kids are registered for day camp. The nature, art, and tennis camps are at capacity.
Ravenswood Manor Park: A permit for using the hydrant for water is needed.
Jacob Park: Greater Rockwell Organization advocates for removal of the fence at the south end of the park separating the CTA property. It was reported that the prospect of a lease is being discussed between Alderman Schulter’s office and the CTA. Given CTA’s ownership of the site and their possible need to use the site in the future, GRO would be satisfied to have the space become a passive green area instead of an active play area. Some neighbors expressed a desire for a community garden on the site. The group expressed a concern that in any future plan the fence along the river be maintained and that there not be open access to the river. Tom Kosinski stated that GRO is interested in a new plan for the entire Jacob Park though funding is uncertain. Tom McManomon recommended that the Jacob Park neighbors group look into the Revere Park renovation project as a case study. HPAC supports a redevelopment of Jacob Park and encourages the local neighbors that attended to become active in the effort. It was noted that HPAC is the advisory council with a voice to CPD regarding Jacob Park, and can provide background on fundraising and will be a fiscal agent if necessary.
HPAC committed to improving promotion of its own events and helping neighbors who want to stage new activities in Jacob Park. A new kiosk for bulletins should be considered at Jacobs Park. Among other things this could inform the neighborhood about and promote the activities of HPAC.
The planted areas at Jacob Park will not be maintained by HPAC this year due to not having a funded gardener.
Any inquiries to HPAC from the Jacob Park neighbors can be sent to HPAC’s general emailbox: stewardship@ hornerpark.org.
Buffalo Park: No report.
Sunken Garden Park: Next month’s meeting will be held in Sunken Gardens.
Other business: The director of risk management at CPD was contacted but HPAC has had no response from CPD regarding liability incurred by advisory councils. John Bernbom will help HPAC resolve this issue with Friends of the Parks and CPD.
Flagpole Project: A revised permit for the project was granted thru July. Reid Cleveland was approved for his Eagle Scout rank for his work on the project. Reid’s scout leader is accountable for seeing that the project reaches completion. Lisa Cleveland thanked HPAC and all involved for the effort to complete this project. Christy Webber Landscapes has not confirmed a date to meet with HPAC to complete the contract.
Vegetable Garden committee: Clark Park was selected by the committee as the location for the vegetable garden. Water is available within 100’ of the site at the State Farm building adjacent the site. John O’Connell inquired why Wendell’s garden is allowed by CPD while the garden committee’s efforts to locate a garden in Horner Park have failed. Tom McManamon stated that he supports the idea of a vegetable garden in Horner Park, and Wendell’s garden was permitted at an earlier date. Kevin Anderson stated that he is satisfied with the location of the garden in Clark Park despite it not being the committee’s first choice of preferred sites.
New Business: None
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM
The next regular HPAC meeting will be held Monday, July 12 at 7:30 PM at Sunken Gardens.
Respectfully submitted: Peter Schlossman
Roster of those in Attendance:
Larry Brown, President; John Lyman – Vice President; Kevin Anderson –Treasurer; Secretary; Peter Schlossman, Co-Secretary; Tom McManamon – CPD; John O’Connell, Allan Mueller, Reid Cleveland, Lisa Cleveland, John Bernbom, Drew Weir, Rise Weir, Becky Snider, Agnes Hofman, Simon Jessica Fuentes, Jim Noonan, Nate Hutcheson, Cookie Silva, Martin Perdoux, Chris Stemper, Bea Tersch, Tom Kosinski, Michael Holm, Virgil Stewart.
