Little Village Pocket Parks

Public Process: Engaging Local Residents at Trumbull Site

pocketparks — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:34:01 +0000

On a sunny spring morning, Enlace, NeighborSpace, and +space met with residents that live along the Trumbull Site (on 26th and Trumbull); one of the four pocket parks Archeworks has been working with Enlace to develop into a community space. It was an important step in the process to listen to and discuss concerns with people that will actually be maintaining the site. Jaime de Leon, Community Program Director at Enlace, and Ben Helphand from NeighborSpace spoke openly with residents about the potential development of the Trumbull Site. Locals showed interest in visiting existing NeighborSpace sites to gain insight and better understanding on how they can help in maintaining a community space and truly be a part of the public process. +space further facilitated discussion by constructing a furniture piece on site that serves as planter box, bench, and recycling bin. The winning design from Architecture for Humanity’s Street Furniture Competion was awarded to MAS Studio and featured as the chosen furniture piece on the Trumbull Site.

For the Birds and Butterflys

pocketparks — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 05:09:31 +0000

The past two weeks, students from St. Agnes Elementary School that were part of an Environmental Club worked with Archework students to build and paint birdhouses and butterfly houses for the four “pocket parks” in the community. The birdhouses were made out of reclaimed wood and will hopefully attract wildlife to the neighborhood. A special thanks goes out to the Vice Principal and computer teacher for their help both days.

Check out their creations:

Click to view slideshow.

Be on the lookout for these “homes” in a pocket park near you!

Earth Day WORK DAY!

pocketparks — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:14:13 +0000

Come celebrate and help take care of the planet we call home! Join us on Saturday, April 24th from 9am-2pm.

MAS Studio Debuts Cut.Join.Play.

pocketparks — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 18:43:42 +0000

This past Friday the +space team went to Pilsen for MAS Studio’s Out of Context event where they unveiled the first built version of their winning street furniture entry, Cut.Join.Play. Stay tuned for pictures from the next construction planning meeting with +space, Architecture for Humanity Chicago, and MAS Studio. For more info on +space follow us at www.facebook.com/positivespacechicago

Spring Clean-Up on Little Village’s Pocket Parks

pocketparks — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 05:52:21 +0000

Enlace, +space, and some hard working students and interns from Chicago Public Schools and the Student Conservation Association got together to spruce up the 3 of Little Village’s pocket parks. Benches, a greenhouse, planter boxes, and a compost bin were built, and existing benches and planters were painted. The site at 25th and Keeler underwent a pretty major transformation with the help of Samuel Vergara and his interns from the Student Conservation Association.

Click to view slideshow.

Trumbull & 26th Street Community Design Workshop

migrod — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:28:58 +0000

Last Wednesday March 3, 2010, the initial community design workshop for the Pocket Park located at Trumbull Avenue near 26th Street in Little Village took place at Madero School.

Pocket Park site neighbors gathered and brainstormed ideas for positive visions of park designs and programs.

Ideas were presented and discussed.

Archeworks students students will create designs based on the design workshop. These designs will be presented back to the community and park neighbors on March 24. Please check back for time and location.

Operators of Public Space

migrod — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:32:15 +0000

A feel-good story about a park-deficient neighborhood of Lavapiés in Madrid, and the patient struggle of a local group known as “Operators of Public Space”, composed of neighbors, designers, and community organizations to turn a vacant lot into a community park.

The project’s energy came under plentiful stress as city government controlled the lot and any progressive utilization of its use without the council’s consent and participation. Operators of Public Space’s persistence and patience ultimately paid off; Its initial activation phase of capturing the space started by having scheduled weekly gatherings for communal breakfasts and discussions eventually moved from the sidewalk to the other side of the fence.

In addition to these congregations, simple suggestive signage stating “This is a Plaza” was introduced to in the vacant lot to provoke further discussions.

After the long battle, soil has now been delivered to the site for planting.

Please read the full story and follow the progress at estaesunaplaza.blogspot.com/

Vacant Lot Love

pocketparks — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:58:14 +0000

Thanks to everyone who woke up bright and early and braved the cold to participate in the Fence Love event this weekend! We decorated some chain-linked fences around some vacant lots in Little Village for Valentine’s Day.

Despite the cold, it was a beautiful sunny day, and love was definitely in the air. Be sure to check out the pictures:

Love in Little Village

pocketparks — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:16:38 +0000

It’s February, and LoVe is in the air!

Join us at 9am on Saturday, February 13th at Perez Plaza as we decorate some vacant lots by weaving some hearts along the fences. This is a great activity for all ages and feel free to bring along those you love.

Together, we can show Little Village some love!

Pocket Parks Meet + Greet…Success

pocketparks — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:15:01 +0000

First and foremost, we want to thank all those that joined us for the Pocket Parks Launch 2010 (Meet + Greet) on Wednesday night! It is motivating to see so much persistant enthusiasm from the community.

Archeworks had the opportunity to present a recap of the work that has been going on, in various lots in Little Village. With the help of Enlace, willing community members, and some good food (especially the Flan), we were able to get some great dialogue started last night, which we hope to continue on a regular basis. Some of the people we were able to connect with were school teachers, students, non-profit organizations, and concerned residents of Little Village. We received some great feedback and it is apparent that people really want to see transformations within their community. Among others, some ideas that were thrown around included: movies in the lots, farmers market, sports field, clean-up days, adopting a park, displaying artwork, women’s clubs, and so much more….Check out some pictures from the evening!

Archeworks is excited to continue working with Little Village in transforming these underutilitized areas into something that can really become an asset to the community. We look forward to our next LV event on February 13th….Fence Love.

In the meantime, be on the lookout for more +space!