Play Garden Profiled in Tour with Local Education Researcher
Local educator Jessica Fong received more recognition for her groundbreaking research in the benefit of outdoor play for children in a new writeup that also profiles the McKinley Community Play Garden, the beloved community space at 3518-28 S. Wolcott Ave., Chicago.
The article by Julia Mondschean on Free Spirit Media looks at both the facility and use of the play garden, as well as Fong's research into the disparity of access to natural play spaces across Chicago's social strata and geographic areas. The McKinley Park News has previously noted Fong's role in local nature play education in an article from this past fall.
Legendary Tres Leches Rise Again at Kristoffer's Cakes
Cristina and Carlos Chavarria stand with their son, Kristoffer, in the front of the namesake shop Kristoffer's Cakes, a new business in the McKinley Park neighborhood.
Business Name: Kristoffer's Cakes
Address: 1735 W. 35th St.
Hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sun.
Website: KristoffersCakes.com
Kristoffer's Cakes offers coffee and sweets, including slices and whole tres leches cakes, from its charming storefront location on West 35th Street and South Hermitage Avenue in the McKinley Park neighborhood. Open to the public since November 24, 2018, Kristoffer's Cakes brings a renowned baker of Mexican delicacies and her family back to Chicago.
Read more: Legendary Tres Leches Rise Again at Kristoffer's Cakes
Community Meetings Bring Together Neighborhood This Week in McKinley Park
McKinley Park, the jewel of the neighborhood, is flying into 2019 with new personnel and continuation of the McKinley Park Advisory Council's highly successful programs like the McKinley Park Farmers Market, stewardship of McKinley Park's natural areas and Midnight Circus. Now is the time to start getting involved in this dynamic and fun community group that spearheads so many good things for the park: The McKinley Park Advisory Council Meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 14, at the McKinley Park field house offers introductions to key council leaders, fellow neighbors and the group's plans for 2019.
The McKinley Park Development Council Meeting on Wednesday, January 16, also at the McKinley Park field house, connects the community with development concerns and progress in the neighborhood across economic, cultural and social strata via the McKinley Park Development Council. Attend to learn and share information on local development, get updates on council programs like the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's neighborhood plan for McKinley Park, and connect by engaging in membership and community networking.
Read more: Community Meetings Bring Together Neighborhood This Week in McKinley Park
Weekend Vandalism Spree Ravages Neighborhood, Say Victims, Police at CAPS Meeting
Beat Facilitator Glenn Young introduces Chicago Police Department Officer Jason Solis at the January 9 CAPS meeting for Beat 912.
A string of vandalism incidents plagued the McKinley Park neighborhood on Sunday night, January 6, according to Chicago Police and attendees at the January 9 meeting of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meeting for Beat 912. Ninth District CAPS officer Jason Solis outlined a string of succeeding vandalism crimes after an impassioned request for information from Antonio Cabezas, facilities manager at the National Latino Education Institute.
According to Cabezas, damage to the institute included graffiti and 17 windows being shot out with a BB gun, with total damages in the thousands of dollars. He estimated the incident took place between 10 p.m. and midnight.
Read more: Weekend Vandalism Spree Ravages Neighborhood, Say Victims, Police at CAPS Meeting
Dog Park Coming to McKinley Park in 2019
From left, dog park advisory council officers Angie Robertson, Adriana Kenning, Min Huang and Carina Trudell stand together after the group's Monday, January 7, meeting.
McKinley Park is getting a designated dog-friendly area in 2019 after a long campaign by local dog park advocates and the Chicago City Council's approval of $400,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to fund the park. At the January 7 meeting of the McKinley Dog Park Advisory Council, officers revealed the dog park's build-out plans for 2019 and shared their excitement about this project finally coming to fruition.
"I think I'm still in shock," said advisory council Co-President Carina Trudell. "I’m thrilled by City Council’s decision to back our four years of work."
