Lead Agencies
Garfield Park Community Council (GPCC)
Lead Agency 4215 W. Washington Boulevard Chicago, IL 60624 gpcommunitycouncil.org Garfield Park Community Council is a community-building organization made up of dedicated residents and allies working together to develop leaders and create opportunities and programs that build a vital Garfield Park community. Created in 2005 through a LISC New Communities Program Quality-of-Life planning process, GPCC became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2012. GPCC focuses on four resident-defined and integrated priority areas: housing, business development, resident organizing, wellness and greening efforts, including the Garfield Park Garden Network and Neighborhood Market. |
NeighborSpace (NBSP)
Management Partner 445 N. Sacramento Boulevard, Suite 204 Chicago, IL 60612 neighbor-space.org NeighborSpace, founded in 1996 by the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, and Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is the only nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago that preserves and sustains gardens on behalf of dedicated community groups. NBSP shoulders responsibilities of property ownership—providing basic insurance, access to water, and links to support networks —so community groups can focus on gardening. NBSP-protected gardens give young and old alike an opportunity to get their hands in the earth and enjoy nature, right in their own neighborhoods. NeighborSpace is increasingly recognizing and prioritizing community-managed nature play gardens as an important strategy for building permanent intergenerational community capacity. NeighborSpace leadership is dedicated to setting the conditions for a community-managed nature play network, and is proud to take a leadership role in this long term effort. |
site design group, ltd. (site)
Design Partner 888 South Michigan Avenue, PH1 Chicago, IL 60605 site-design.com Founded in 1990 in Chicago, site is an acclaimed landscape architecture and urban design firm with experience creating innovative landscapes, including experiential gardens and play space. Throughout their 29 years in business, they have made their name in Chicago for their leadership and innovation in urban design and landscape architecture, commitment to design excellence, and community-based planning approach. Each project brings a measure of social responsibility, placemaking, and land stewardship. Their portfolio includes more than 115 public parks and open spaces, 113 schools, and 61 institutional projects. site has worked extensively on the West Side of Chicago and in underserved communities throughout the city. |
Why this partnership?
GPCC, NBSP, and site—individually and as a collaborative—have a track record of conducting and stewarding community-designed programs and sites on the West Side of Chicago, including child and family-centric programs; community gardens, including nature play sites; and community organizing initiatives the collaborative will build upon through the West Side Nature Play Network.
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GPCC, NBSP, and site have worked and will continue to work together because of a shared commitment to creating community-designed and managed green space, with a focus on addressing the critical developmental needs of young children for accessible, daily opportunities to experience and explore nature.
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Collaborating Agencies
North Lawndale Community
Coordinating Council 3936 W. Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60624 nlcccplanning.org The North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council (NLCCC) is a group of North Lawndale stakeholders, including community-based organizations, business owners, elected officials and individuals, that guide comprehensive planning and implementation in North Lawndale. Through the LISC New Communities Program, NLCCC and the Metropolitan Planning Council worked with 300 stakeholders to develop a Quality-of-Life Plan in 2018. The QLP Plan emphasizes using vacant land for green spaces, creating community partnerships with local gardens, and promoting healthy eating and wellness. |
Austin Coming Together
5049 W. Harrison Street Chicago, IL 60644 austincomingtogether.org Austin Coming Together (ACT) was founded in 2010 by a group of 20 community leaders who came together to discuss how to create systemic change in Austin. ACT’s mission is to increase the collective impact of its member organizations on education and economic development outcomes in Austin. In 2018, ACT completed a Quality-of-Life (QLP) planning process through the LISC New Communities Program,which prioritizes quality early learning and safe neighborhoods, working with the Austin Community Garden Collective and the Austin Early Childhood Learning Network. |
Additional Neighborhood Partners
Additional neighborhood partners, including arts and youth organizations, block clubs, and community development agencies, will also be engaged throughout the project. This list of stakeholders is growing. Contact us to learn more.
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