A reader notes that the Park District's website says that a community group is organized to maintain the upkeep of all dog parks. He called Ald. Shiller's office two or three weeks ago to inquire about the water fountain being turned on at the park and how to contact the neighborhood group that keeps up the park. The person he spoke to knew nothing about an organization, but told him to email her a request to have water turned on, as well as to have gate fixed and she would forward on to the park district.He's heard nothing. We directed him to a phone number for Gill Park, listed on the web, and he left a message, but has received no response. Anyone know more about Challenger Bark and who's responsible for its upkeep? Contact information? Please leave your information in the comments. Thanks for the help.
From what I understand, there is no city group to maintain the dog parks. The users of the park need to form a group and organize a maintenance plan. If I were you, I'd contact the folks at Puptown at Lawrence and Marine, or Wiggley Field on Sheffield. They've had to go through this process. Puptown is well organized. They have fund raisers and have formed a great community.
ReplyDeleteFrom my database (don't know how current the info is):
ReplyDeleteChallenger Park DFA Task Force:
Channing Greene at (773) 477-7933
channing.greene@att.net
If this info is outdated, the "dog friendly area" contacts can be found in the free Chicagoland Tails booklets distributed in pet stores and at the Margate Park (PUPTOWN) dog park.
Someone wrote to the UU mailbox to saying Channing Greene hasn't lived in Uptown for a few years. Has anyone stepped up to replace him?
ReplyDeleteI dug around and the park district has a DFA liaison:
ReplyDeleteJanis Taylor
office 312-742-4687
janis.taylor@chicagoparkdistrict.com
This is the contact for structural maintenance issues like gates, water lines, pavement problems, etc.. The park committee is responsible for cleaning, power washing, gravel and basic things like that.
I was in touch with Janis last summer. She said that the DFA users must form a council and maintain the park or it will be closed. I would be interested in helping organize the council (and have already put out feelers).
ReplyDeleteJeff, challengerbark@gmail.com
Low and Behold the Alderman's office emailed me back to day as promised. :-)
ReplyDelete"I just spoke with Bob Gerhardty, the manager of Gill Park. He also manages Challenger Park (he reports to Brian Loll, the Chicago Park District's Area 6 Manager). He wanted to let me know about the work he's doing to get Challenger Park taken care of.
Recently, he's put in work orders for fence and water fountain repairs, new fasteners, plastic pipe covering, railroad ties. In regards to the pea gravel, I was told that the park district wont pay for it. The residents (or a nearby block club?) would have to work together to make that happen. The lights on the north end of the park were redone about two years ago, and he's hoping to do the same with the south end.
If you have any other questions or concerns about Challenger Bark, contact Bob Gerhardty at the Chicago Park District- 312.742.7802."
I will send an email to Buena Park Neighbors about getting involved and seeing if we can't get some help from neighbors.
Thanks!
When Channing and I moved from Kenmore almost three yearas ago, he passed the baton for the Challenger Bark DFA on to Stacy Corbett.
ReplyDeleteBob G. is the correct CPD contact and actually reached out to Channing to find out who the current contact is. Channing directed him to BPN in the absence of a DFA.