Neighborhood News
Neighbors gathered by the McKinley Park lagoon on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, to conduct a healing ceremony following the discovery of human remains in the lagoon on September 23.
12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas and Pastor Darrell Dalton of Bethany Baptist Church spoke at the event, as well as prayed with residents and local Franciscan monks. Cardenas asked residents to remain vigilant, but he encouraged all to continue to enjoy and use the park.
Among other measures, new surveillance cameras will be installed in the park, Cardenas said.
The ceremony follows the discovery of human remains, including a severed human head and bags of body parts, in the lagoon by Park District workers. In the course of its investigation, the Chicago Police Department cordoned off much of the east end of McKinley Park and drained the lagoon.
Officers from the McKinley Park Advisory Council (MPAC) have related that the refuse uncovered by draining the lagoon will be cleaned up by Park District workers, and that the lagoon will soon be refilled.
Held at the event room inside Lagunitas Brewing Company Chicago, the fundraiser for the McKinley Park Adviisory Council (MPAC) brought together dozens of neighbors, community leaders and McKinley Park supporters for a fun night of food and drink, gaming, raffles and cameraderie. All proceeds for the Oct. 24, 2016, event are being put toward expansion of park programming and events.
The McKinley Park neighborhood plays host to a stellar lineup of seasonal events through Halloween and beyond. From engaging kids workshops to adults-only soirées, local community groups and institutions have lined up a full slate of fun and engaging activities.
The Fall Festival at Hoyne Park lets kids and families enjoy pumpkins, face painting, bounce houses and more from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 22, at the park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave. This free event is sponsored by the Chicago Park District with support from volunteers and the Hoyne Park Advisory Council.
McKinley Park's hottest social ticket is the MPAC FUNdraiser at Lagunitas Brewery, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, at Lagunitas Brewing Company, 2607 W. 17th St. This 21-and-over affair features food, $5 drafts, a silent auction and raffle, and networking with neighbors and local community leaders, including the volunteers who power the dynamic and highly active McKinley Park Advisory Council. Admission costs $10 with all proceeds dedicated toward more programs and events at the park.
Read more: Halloween and Fall Events Kick Into High Gear in McKinley Park
Continuing its mission of supporting McKinley Park, the McKinley Park Advisory Council (MPAC) elected new officers at its meeting on Sept. 12, 2016, at the McKinley Park field house. New officers are President Veronica O'Malley, Vice President Samantha Hertel, Secretary Katie Flores and Treasurer Heather Breems.
MPAC has been extremely active over the past year, with lineups of both special programs and ongoing activities. This has included a Latin and hip hop dance class for adults and teens, a poetry slam, Painting in the Park sessions for kids and adults, ecology classes, premier performances like Midnight Circus, and stewardship days for cleaning up the park and lagoon.
Read more: McKinley Park Advisory Council Elects New Officers
Aquinas Literacy Center (ALC) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary during the 2016-2017 academic year. ALC was founded in 1996 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters in response to the needs of immigrants in the McKinley Park neighborhood and surrounding areas to learn English. ALC continues to offer free, individualized tutoring in the English language to adult immigrants.
In preparation for the school year, ALC held a training workshop for new tutors on August 26 and 27. Three current tutors came to share their experiences and tips they had on tutoring adult immigrants. The next new tutor training will be held on October 21 and 22.
Read more: Aquinas Literacy Center Kicks off its 20th Anniversary School Year
