Fwd: Maggie Daley Park update and more
Richard Ward
From: Bob O'Neill <bobo...@grantparkconservancy.com>
Date: Fri, Jan 18, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Subject: Maggie Daley Park update and more
To: Bob O'Neill <bobo...@grantparkconservancy.com>
The Grant Park Conservancy and Advisory Council would like to let you know that the new Maggie Daley Park is progressing very well.
Most of the top soil, about 20,000 cubic yards thus far, has been removed and the fill below it is now being removed. The northwest and northeast quadrants have most of the fill removed and then the south quadrants will begin to be stripped of fill. We have attached some photos of the progress which are below.
Some areas are almost all the way down to the roof deck. The soil is being trucked to Peanut Park just to the east of the Cancer Survivor's Garden to be reused when the garage roof is repaired.
Some of the existing geofoam that was under the soil will be stored at the Green at Grant Park and reused. Geofoam allows for the creation of hills and berms without using too much excess soil weight. As much of the material that can be reused will be to save money and to be as green as possible. Keeping soil close to the site without hauling it away is also environmentally-friendly.
By the spring, most of the soil will have been removed. Roof repairs will begin and the membrane and repairs should be done by November, 2013. At the same time, concrete foundations for parts of the new park that have to be affixed to the roof will be done while the roof is being repaired.
When the park is complete, 1000 new trees will be planted so we will actually significantly gain trees. The new trees will be a much more diverse pallette of trees with more nature-friendly species attracting wildlife. What was first thought of as a total loss of many mature trees with the construction of the new park, will actually be very positive because so many of the existing trees are in poor shape, dying, diseased, or species that do not live long. All are going to be replaced with much better stock. The Chicago Park District is working diligently to make sure that the new park is not only very nature-friendly but a world-class destination.
Much of the park will be funded by private sources. When Maggie Daley Park is complete near the end of 2014/beginning of 2015, there will hundreds of new trees planted, many beautiful amenities including a world-class children's play area, vistas of Lake Michigan and an ice skating ribbon, meadows and natural areas. The new park will be a truly great honor to a wonderful person who made countless contributions to the cultural, park, and educational fabric of Chicago.
Also, another important Grant Park update: the crumbling Van Buren pedestrian bridge and stairs off of Michigan Avenue that cross the IC railroad tracks will be rebuilt soon. This has been a long advocacy project for us and the Chicago Park District is going to complete the work. We thank the Chicago Park District for all of their cooperation with this and many other Grant Park projects and improvements made by working with the communities to improve Grant Park for all of Chicago.
Thank you,
Bob O'Neill
FORWARDED BY:
Richard F. Ward, President, NEAR
New Eastside Association of Residents
155 N. Harbor Dr. #5101
Chicago, IL 60601