• Recent LCA News •

ThComing Soon, A Totally New Oz Park Playground!

by Larry Sachs

It’s time to bid a fond farewell to our beloved community-built (in 1988) Oz Park playground that has delighted children from around the city for generations. Oz Park Advisory Committee (OPAC) concerns about an aging playground infrastructure led to a three-year planning process to produce an amazing playground transformation reflecting community feedback and hope that a new playground would retain the spirit of the old playground! The result will be a totally new and reimagined Oz playground opening (hopefully) by the end of July designed and built by the same company (Playgrounds by Leathers) that designed the ‘old’ Oz Park playground. 

Creating an amazing new Oz Park playground will bring joy to our community for decades to come, but of course there will be short-term pain while the old playground footprint remains enclosed by a construction fence until a grand reopening celebration this summer. But then . . . we’ll have access to a playground that’s sure to be even more loved than the old one, featuring a tall twisty slide, bouncy bridges, Kansas Farmhouse, rope climb, rock wall, a dedicated stroller parking area and more, including a “face wall” designed by a LPHS art student that invites inserting one’s face into a life-size image of Dorothy, the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion or Scarecrow to photograph and document your visit!

This is an expensive project and OPAC has already raised $940,000 – but the Chicago Park District (who bid out the work, awarded demolition and design/installation contracts, and contributed $150,000 to the project) recently informed that an additional $300,000 is needed to fully fund this project. So OPAC (and LCA) ask:

“Help us make this dream come true! Please visit ozparkadvisorycouncil.org and click the donate button in the upper right-hand corner to donate by PayPal, Credit or Debit Card - or donate directly to our partner in this project, the Chicago Parks Foundation, by visiting Donation Form (donorperfect.net) or by scanning the below QR code to make a Tribute Donation to Oz Park.” Both the Oz Park Advisory Council and the Chicago Parks Foundation are 501(c)(3) organizations and all donations, large or small, will be tax deductible and very much appreciated!”

YAY, a new Oz Park Playground, thank you OPAC and Chicago Parks Foundation!!!

Join Us for An Earth Day Park Cleanup

Volunteer at the 2nd Annual Old Town & Lincoln Park Earth Day 

On Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., we’d love you to join our community-wide day of beautification in the parks. Meet at Ella Jenkins Park at 333 West Wisconsin Avenue. Kids, families, dogs, and friends are welcome. Supplies and refreshments will be provided. The projects for adult volunteers include gardening, painting, planting and beautification. There will also be a kids area with plenty of activities to keep little ones engaged. 

There is no cost to participate, but please RSVP here. 

Bauler Park Cleanup Day Happening Saturday

On Saturday, there is also a park cleanup day at Bauler Park from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Learn more and sign up here.

DePaul Hosts Community Meeting About Proposed Basketball Facility

On Monday, April 29, DePaul University will host a community meeting to discuss the proposed basketball facility. Learn more about the project here and come with questions!

RSVP to the meeting here.

Volunteer in the Garden this Spring

Thank You LCA Sponsors!

LCA is dedicated to inspiring people to join together for the social, cultural, and physical enrichment of our neighborhood, and our local businesses are a critical part of that! LCA is honored to work with local businesses to improve our neighborhood and promote their business.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

• Neighborhood News •

Lincoln Park Uncorked is Coming Up!

Gather your fellow wine aficionados for Lincoln Park Uncorked: An Armitage – Halsted Wine Stroll, which is happening on Thursday, May 9 from 6-9 p.m.! Take a picturesque stroll through one of Chicago’s most charming neighborhoods while stopping at local businesses to sample over 25 seasonal wines plus light fare provided by Lincoln Park eateries. From crisp whites to bold reds, there’s a taste for every palate.

Use the promotional code LCALPU24 to receive $5 off tickets! Learn more and get tickets here. 

Local Elected Officials Host Shred Event

Join Alderman Knudsen, Senator Feigenholtz, and State Representative Croke for a Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling Event at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum on April 28 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Limit 2 boxes/containers per household. Remove all heavy-duty staples, paper clips, metal fasteners and rubber bands prior to arrival. Residential paper only. Please note that there will not be prescription drug drop-off at this event. 

Local Blood Drive Happening on June 2

Pet Adoption Fees Wavied in April

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