Dreams come true for Holstein Park: $1.225 million from Illinois thanks to neighbors work and perseverance

"Ecstatic" was the word of the day for Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward Alderman; Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn; Holstein Park Supervisor Shannon English; and Bucktown residents Jean Alan, Lucy and Scott Jacobs on a sunny but cool Saturday afternoon, Sept. 13, in Holstein Park, 2200 N. Oakley Ave. The reason: knowing that years of hard work and relentless pursuit of a shared dream is coming true. 

Quinn announced that Holstein Park will receive $1. 2 million [Chicago Park District indicates it is $1.225 million of what was originally supposed to be $1.45 million] from the Parks and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) program, which is funded by Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program. 

"When I got the news yesterday, my legs were shaking," said Lucy Jacobs co-founder of Friends of Holstein (FOH) in 2001. "I just wanted to cry I was so elated." She and husband Scott, along with Jean Alan have been, as Waguespack put it, "Doing the heavy lifting not just keeping the playgrounds running but making sure to get the funding….raising dimes and dollars with volunteer mothers and dads for many years. Their events include the Apple Pie Contest [this year Oct. 19], Midnight Circus in the Park and other events." 

There have been legions of people helping over the years. Past President of FOH Linda Kanoski was at the Saturday event at which Michelle Maher, a new FOH Board member spoke. Some of the others over the years included Michelle Pennington, Kathy Rice, Martha Ring, Shaunagh O'Connor and Michele Kranecke, Zephyr Dance. FOH's first big effort was for a playground, which was in the 2005 time frame. Field House renovation efforts began in 2006.

With more than they expected to get from the State, their coffers have an approximate total of $2.05 million committed. In addition to the State, Waguespack is chipping in $300,000 from his menu money; Illinois State Senator John Cullerton is adding $50,000; the Chicago Park District adds $375,000; and Friends of Holstein commits $100,000.  

"This means that we can do everything on our list," said a beaming Scott Jacobs.

"Everything" for the crumbling Field House building which has served the area since 1912 includes a long list. "The roof, skylights, sewers, plumbing, electrical and room re-configurations," says Jacobs. "We will be able to have a dry basement; the women's locker room won't have sewer backups; the crime tape will be taken off the showers in the men's locker room; we'll be able to add a multi-purpose rooms; and there will be accessible restrooms and new family restroom on the first floor. More electric will go to the pool area and a filter system will be taken care of." 

English said, "I am so excited. With added space for rentals, we will be able to bring in more revenue and have more classes." 

After the building is complete, exterior changes will be made, like the clay based field. Waguespack looks forward saying that this will "serve the children of our children's children." 

While the estimated budget for the project is $1.9 million, increased bids on other projects are coming in higher then previously estimated. Thus this "cushion" may aid in mitigating any such project threat. 

Speaking for the Bucktown Community Organization (BCO) on behalf of the community, Steve Jensen, President said, "We are ecstatic that Alderman Waguespack was able to allocate the funds and push the grant process forward." He also expressed thanks to everyone who helped make the dream a reality. 

*PARC projects are part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.