The McKinley Park Advisory Council, the citizen-run stewardship and advocacy organization for McKinley Park, re-elected its incumbent slate of volunteer officers at its monthly meeting on Monday, March 12. Once again serving the park and the community are President Veronica O'Malley, Vice President Samantha Belcik nee Hertel, Secretary Katie Flores and Treasurer Heather Breems.
President Veronica O'MalleyThey are joined this year by the addition of Farmers Market Manager Stef Funk, who is taking point on lining up vendors and organizing and managing the weekly market, set to start on Sundays in June. The potential exists to extend market dates into October, Funk said, and she's been querying vendors and stakeholders on their interest in adding a month to the schedule.
Vice President Samantha BelcikLive performance will definitely continue in conjunction with the farmers market, and acts are in the process of being lined up for market dates. McKinley Park will also again play host to Make Music Chicago, set for the evening of Thursday, June 21, when musicians and community members fill the park with music.
Treasurer Heather BreemsThe advisory council is making a major push for an Earth Day Planting event, slated for early afternoon on Sunday, April 22. McKinley Park is dramatically expanding its designated natural area, and all hands are needed to get thousands of new plantings in the ground. The monthly park stewardship day for March is set for 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, March 17, beginning at the lagoon.
Secretary Katie FloresTwo major council initiatives under discussion are working to get yoga classes implemented at McKinley Park, and changing swimming pool policies to end gender-segregated swimming times. This prevents families from swimming and is only a policy enacted for Chicago Park District swimming pools on the South and West sides, Breems said.
Other council business included a report from the council's recent participation in the Park Advisory Council conference, planning for fund-raising and a grant, and unclogging the lagoon drain to allow for proper outflow.
The next McKinley Park Advisory Council meeting is 7 p.m. on Monday, April 9, at the field house.
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