The following item was in Alderman Daley’s recent newsletter many of us received in the mail and is also posted on her website. We feel it requires some amplification… Don’t take our word for it. Read the contract for yourself. Schedule of usage shows the Latin School is THE exclusive user for kid-friendly time.

A neighbor weighs in…

Dear Alderman Daley,

I am writing to ask you to stop the construction of the Latin School soccer field on public park land in Lincoln Park.

The contract to build this soccer field was made in secret, without the required public process. A similar proposal in 2002 was so unpopular with the community that it was withdrawn. This time, the Chicago Park District and the Latin School bypassed the community to make their deal. The public learned of the deal only when the media reported it many months later. The community was excluded on an important decision involving a prized public asset. This is an outrageous deal, and the secrecy only adds to the outrage.

The contract grants precious park land, intended for public use, to a privileged few, the students of Latin School. Under the contract, Latin School will have virtually exclusive prime time access during much of the day, throughout most of the year. The public, which has a civic right to enjoy this space, will be shut out much of the time.

This deal is also a terrible historical precedent. Allowing it to go forward puts other desirable public lands at risk. Parks and other areas now free for use by all will be restricted or limited in their use, with the easy statement that “this is no different from the Latin School soccer field.” Any other small group, with enough money or clout, will be able to grab their own piece of the public space.

This part of Lincoln Park should remain free for use by all and not become dedicated to the use of a private few. You have a duty to protect this public property for the use of all Chicagoans, not just the Latin School. Please stop the construction immediately.

Sincerely,

Emily Price Chicago, IL