Financial measures approved today by City Council will utilize Open Space Impact Fees to help create, expand, and improve five park and green spaces on the South, North, Northwest and Southwest Sides.

Brown Memorial Park, 634 E. 86th St. Brown Memorial Park in Chatham will be expanded onto an adjacent, .15-acre parcel owned by the Chicago Park District through $105,000 in Open Space Impact Fees. The funds will be used for site preparation costs, landscaping, and fencing. The balance of the $135,000 project will be financed by the Park District. The seven-acre park is named for Sidney Brown, the first African-American firefighter to die in the line of duty in Chicago.  

Kil-Parker Community Garden, northeast corner of Kilpatrick and Parker avenues
Kil-Parker Community Garden will be developed in Belmont Cragin by the NeighborSpace land trust on .23 acres of vacant land owned by Schubert Development LLC. The City will provide approximately $41,000 in Open Space Impact Fees to partly finance the installation of raised beds, native plants, a play area, walking path, benches, and a gazebo. The balance of the $69,000 project will be paid by the property owner. NeighborSpace will maintain the site for use by local residents.  

Christiana Playlot Park, 1533 S. Christiana Ave.
Christiana Playlot Park in North Lawndale will be doubled in size through approximately $32,000 in Open Space Impact Fees. The funds will be used to help pay for the park’s expansion onto .14-acres of adjacent land and include the installation of trees, fencing and landscaping. The Chicago Park District will contribute $24,000 to the project.  

6049 S. Whipple St.
A new, .09-acre playlot will be constructed in Chicago Lawn through $41,000 in Open Space Impact Fees that will be applied toward landscaping, fencing, and playground equipment cost. The balance of the $247,000 project will be paid by the Park District.  

42nd Street Garden, 4200 S. Vincennes Ave.
The 42nd Street Garden in Grand Boulevard will receive $35,000 in Open Space Impact Fees for the installation of a dedicated water hydrant. Owned by NeighborSpace, the .14-acre site is maintained as a public garden by community residents.

Open Space Impact Fees are generated by new residential development projects and allocated toward open space projects within the City's 77 community areas.

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