Wicker Park Advisory Council

Wicker Park Advisory Council Meeting Minutes

Present: John Davidson (Park Supervisor), Tim Kolecke (President & Website), Richard Tilley (Treasurer), Doug Wood (Secretary and Garden Club Coordinator), Denise Browning (WPAC & WPGarden), Sam Anderson (MissioDei, Carnival), Tyler Culligan (Magic Boat), John Shirk (Urban Encounter and Wicker Mic), Ryan Jackson (Softball), Lisa Stauff (WPPA),

  1. Minutes – Doug Wood – June Minutes were read and approved.
  2. Treasurer’s Report – Richard Tilley- Report Submitted.
  3. Committee Reports
    • Dog Park Committee – Adam Housley – No Report Submitted
    • Web Site Committee – Tim Kolecke – Tim reported on Web site updates, hits, and links to events. He reported that he purchased the site name WickerPark.org – The Advisory Council will write a donation letter for tax purposes thanking him for his donation.
    • Softball Committee – Ryan Jackson – Softball going well – nothing new.
    • Gardens and Landscape Committee – Doug Wood, Denise Browning – The What’s Out There Weekend went well. At the Carnival, the gardeners worked with 150 children to plant pots of lettuce to take home. Garden tending weekly. Wicker Sculpture vandals – tipping attempts weekly; numerous graffiti on benches. Reported that the GMF offered 3 security guards and waste management support – excellent job. In addition, the Park District put up fences ($5,000 donation). In addition, the Park District will install fences and support waste management for the July Wicker Fest ($5,000 donation). We will work to have S3 security in the park during the Wicker Park Fest – quote obtained for $900/3 guards/3pm-11pm. Will request funds from local organizations, pending permission from Park Services and Legal.
  4. Staff Reports – John Davidson (Park Supervisor) – Discussed the popular sold out summer camps: special events, field trips, special activities, camping out, and the exciting Big Kahuna. Discussed the teen project of building a teen park and interest shown in the project by NBCTV. Note: Roofing project will begin soon and one portable toilet has been installed in the park. In addition, he stated that the Park District has requested that city police close the park at 11pm daily.
  5. Group Discussion on Park Events for 2011 – Doug Wood Coordinator – Events Planning Committee
    1. Carnival–Sam Anderson: Sam said the event went very well with support from the Advisory Council, Mosaic Church, and Church in the City. The tables were well attended and all partners had a great time. Between 500-900 were in attendance. The Park District was very helpful at setting up inflatable attractions, stage and sound system. A great experience for all for less than $1,500.
    2. Magic Boat – Tyler Culligan
      All performances have been well attended. Receipts have been submitted for items covered in the $800 FOTP Grant. The FOTP funds are retained in the WPAC account and are utilized when receipts are submitted for budgeted items. Due to unforeseen expenses for a new sound system; the performers need more funding for printing handouts, etc. John Davidson offered to use Park District Funding for this – Tyler is just give him the files to print.
    3. Movies – Tim Kolecke – The Monday, June 20 movie was well attended. The June movie was funded by the WPAC ($500) and Alderman Moreno ($500-payment pending). Tim Kolecke, Susan Fontana, Denise Browning, and Scott Venable and the Mosaic Church volunteers organized the purchase of drinks, sold them, and helped run the extra popcorn and snow cone machines. These sales will benefit the WPAC programs – deposited to the general account. Tim said he was contacted by Movies in the Park staff with contact information for a vendor for July and August movies – as of meeting time – he has received no details on the arrangements for this service. He was asked to obtain the contract from the vendor and elucidate the benefits to the WPAC. The July and August movies are sponsored by The Wormhole Coffee.
    4. Wicker Mic –John Shirk – John and Nate were pleased with the June turnout: 26 Performers – 150 in attendance. Marc Smith (well known poet) came by and performed – stayed 2 hours and said he’d pass the word and get more to come in July. In the July show, they will have a warm up group to help people feel more comfortable and let people know it is ready to begin. John Davidson suggested some talent from Commercial Park. The rail riders performed in June. The question of ‘point of view’ came up – should all performances be GP Doug is promoting through neighborhood media (SSA, Chamber, Our Urban Times, Wicker Park Guide, Pipe Line, and Friends of the Parks News.
  6. NEW BUSINESS: Report on Green Music Fest KIDS section – Lisa Stauff–WPPA – Lisa reported on the success of the WPPA’s children’s section at the Green Music Fest. She said the sandbox (donated by Home Depot) was a great hit. Making bird houses and the henna table were the big hits. She thanks Mosaic Church for their support throughout the day and especially with striking the sand box. In additon, she thanks the WPB-SSA#3 for a $5,000 grant. She said they received great press from SunTimes and TimeOut Chicago. The performance stage roster was filled with excellent talent. NOTE: Lisa and John Davidson pointed out that presenting similar events one week after the other works very well in our neighborhood – the more the merrier.

Adjourned at 8:50 pm