Chicago Park District Budget released and other park news...

Friends of the Parks Neighborhood Parks Updates... Events: 11/28 2013 CPD Budget Workshop Register 12/5 2013 CPD Budget Public Hearing 12/12 CPD Board of Commissioners Meeting Chicago Park District releases 2013 Budget Chicago Tribune Article Sun Times Article Hello PACs! The Chicago Park District released the 2013 budget today. At first glance the budget overall looks good, there are no program fee or tax increases. More programs are being added to 2013 including lacrosse in Chicago's parks. There will be me locations for the Circus in the Parks and Shakespeare in the Park and Taylor Swift will be performing at Solider Field! 2013 Budget Recommendation 2013 Budget Summary Please join Friends of the Parks and the Chicago Park District tomorrow, Wednesday, November 28 for the annual Chicago Park District Budget Workshop. Steve Hughes, CFO and Juliet Azimi, Budget Director, will review next year's budget with you and answer your questions and concerns. Register today. Keep up the great work PACs! Maria Dmyterko Stone Independence Park Bugalow The Women's Building in Independence Park (3900 N. Hamlin) is finally finished! This newly renovated green building got a three-star rating (the highest) from the Chicago Green Homes Program Read More Getting health in the parks The Chicago Park District is teaming up with the Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion in Humboldt Park to help kids become fit and healthy! Read More Construction begins at Maggie Daley Park Construction has begun at Maggie Daley Park. In making way for the new park 877 trees have been cleared. The good news is the Chicago Park District has committed to planting 1,000 in their place. The new park is expected to be completed in spring 2015. Read More Read Medill article Participatory Budgeting In 2013 Participatory Budgeting is coming to 4 wards. Among project considered will be park projects. If you live in the 5th, 45th, 46th or 49th wards participate in the process. If you don't live in those wards Alderman Arena thinks participatory budgeting will take place in more wards in 2014. Read more CPD Awarded $3 million grant Coca Cola awarded the Chicago Park District a $3 million grant for its wellness program. This grant will give veterans the opportunity to teach military style fitness and wellness classes at the CPD. Read more Skinner Park DFA The Skinner Park Dog Friendly Area has hit another snag. The CPD plan for the CFA did not meet the wants and needs of the community. The CPD is back to the drawing board. Read more A City in a Garden The Chicago Park District's Julia Bachrach recently re-released her book "A City in a Garden: A history of Chicago's Parks". Her book is a beautiful and fascinating glimpse of some of the precious history parks in Chicago. I recommend you add this book to your holiday shopping list! Read more Park Visits If you haven't been to Columbus Park (500 S. Central Avenue) you must make it a point to go this fall! From the stunning fall leaves and the historic refractory to the water falls this park is a true treasure in the Park District.