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July 13, 2007

© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo

Oak Park Park's Board Promise to Kill Old Growth Canopy Trees Brings Opposition to their Plans from the Neighbors, Residents, and
the State of Illinois.
report and commentary by Ed Vincent

The auditorium at Horace Mann school filled quickly with citizens concerned with saving some of largest and oldest trees in Oak Park. Some folks who opposed the Park's redesign for the Field Park did so with the fear of increased taxes on residents if the State pulls almost half of the funding for the project.

The majority of citizens who wanted the old growth trees preserved also called for a compromise in the plan and not a removal of any soccer field. Questions about the Olympic size of the field, its location next to an Elementary school (Grades Kindergarten through Fifth grade), and the size of other existing fields in the system went unanswered, both at the meeting
and in emails from concerned citizens.

The sign up sheet for speakers shows the initial ratio of those opposed to the plan versus the one supporter, and he was not from the area.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo

When the Park Board allowed the residents to voice their views
on the Field Park design they limited the comments to 3 minutes and instead of allowing the majority of those opposed to the plan to speak as they had signed up they chose to reorder the speakers having one approving the plan to speak and then one against the plan. This can give the appearance of equal numbers, which was not the case in attendance that evening.

The vested interests of the soccer coaches and friends had no note of compromise in them. The majority of speakers in opposition to the design for Field Park all voiced some call for
a compromise, a smaller field, a field in a different location,
some additional planning--something for everyone.

The Majority of the Park Board Supporters, many coaches, stood in the back of the auditorium. Most of the supporters for compromise had already arrived early and taken the seats in front of them.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo

Unnamed sources have noted the DNR's displeasure with not
having been shown the whole plan for the funds and other local leaders shocked at the insensitivity to Oak Park's residents.

It is our opinion that some sort of compromise may be required to be made, one that shall save the old growth trees still sharing their arboreal playground with many animals, both winged and footed.

Below are list of streaming videos, most of the ones represented
reflect a call for compromise.

Senator Don Harmon's Statement Concerning Destruction of
Old Growth Trees with DNR Funds, read by Mr. Robert Baren

Landscape Designer for Field Park Addresses Psychological Issues, Politics,
Attendance at Meetings, and other matters at the Start of the Evening.

Ashley Adler, a young person seeking a compromise with some new perspectives.

Dr. Les Golden Comments on Hearings for Field Park.

Jean Hayes wants the trees to stay, but says nothing bad about soccer.

Heidi Spoor comments on Park boards communications.

Annabel Abraham, neighbor and activist wants to keep the trees and more thought
given to all the plans.

Coach John Michel requests some give and take and has ideas of his own to increase
the green space in this park and perhaps all parks.

Domenic Fratinardo Asks for a Compromise and Reads a Tree Poem

A Neighbor Hoping for a Compromise

    Joy Michel wants the Board to compromise, keep the trees and fix the park. She
           also noted that she did not hear any talk of destroying trees at the meetings she
           attended.

A Neighbor with Grand children wants a Compromise

Diane Gordon seeks a compromise and as she speaks it appears as though the
landscape designer is thinking too and showing more compassion perhaps.

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© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo

This email link will Mail All Local Parks Officials and Interested State Officials

Senator Don Harmon
senatorharmon@donharmon.org;

Deborah Stone, IL. Department of Natural Resources deborah.stone@illinois.org

Letters to the Editor Concerning Field Park

Local Activists Create Web Petition To Save Old Growth Trees in
OAK PARK from Eminent Destruction (Click Here to Sign)
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Oak Park Residents and Neighbors Gather With Only a Few Hours Notice to Protest the Destruction of 120 Year Old Trees to Make an Olympic Sized Soccer Field for Young Children.
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Illinois Department of Natural Resource Money is Being Held Pending
a Review of the Plans for Field Park--work has been Stopped.
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Open Letter to Park Board from a Resident
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Open Letter to Park Board from a Publisher
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