Mission Statement

The Touhy Park Advisory Council seeks to make Touhy Park, at 7348 N. Paulina Street, in Rogers Park, Chicago's far northside neighborhood on Lake Michigan, a safe, sought-after destination for recreation, leisure, picnicking, sport and enjoying nature. Working in an advisory capacity, the Council, comprised of concerned neighbors, helps the park supervisor with programming, securing capital improvements, and special events planning. The Advisory Council also raises funds to be used for park improvements and special events.

What has the Touhy Park Advisory Council (TPAC) done since July, 2003 (date of council inception)?

· Established a bank account and gained non-for-profit status

· Great Perennial Giveaway 2003 (planted shrubs and perennials)

· 2004 Seed Grant of $500 from Friends of the Parks

· Summer Festival 2004: Poetry Slam with art showing, Movie (Spy Kids 3D), Concert (Alternatives Little Big Band)

· Great Perennial Giveaway 2004 (planted shrubs and perennials); also planted donated shrubs (which were then stolen from the park)

· 2005 Earth Day Clean-up (mulching of trees) with neighbors, high school volunteers and Cub Scout Pack 3822

· May 2005: Secured a major donation from Mark Bean of Moran Associates (developer of 1649 W. Sherwin Avenue condo conversion)

· May 2005: Received the Irvin Stern Foundation grant of $10,000 through Friends of the Parks for park beautification (for planting the 3 flower boxes, installing 25 new trees, purchasing 2 concrete plant containers for the front of the fieldhouse)

· Summer Festival 2005: two Poetry in the Park Nights (approximately 8 artists showed their work with about 7 poets reading), Shakespeare in the Park (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Concert (Revolutionary Swing Orchestra), Movie (A Series of Unfortunate Events)

· Secured monetary donations from State Rep. Harry Osterman, Alderman Joe Moore, Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, and local banks and other businesses, and food donations for concession sales from Dominick's, Hostess and Frito Lay

· Helped create a new master plan for Touhy Park with a new playground, reconfigured baseball/soccer field, and circular path

· Won the 2005 "Spirit in Partnership Award" from the Rogers Park Community Council