Emma Mitts, Alderman – 37th Ward

Community Media Memo

Wednesday, August 7, 2019
2:18 p.m.

To: Ms. Lauren Victory- Reporter-CBS Channel 2 News

MEDIA REQUEST FROM CBS Channel 2 NEWS

Thank you for your interest regarding Harding Park. Attached is the response from 37th
Ward Alderman Emma Mitts:

Indeed, 37th Ward Ald. Mitts has met and spoken with the Chicago Park District
officials to design a proactive strategy to ramp up the cleanliness of the park, and
significant sustainable improvements have been made, as you discovered
through your FOIA inquiry.

Here is Alderman Mitts’ statement:

“Thanks for your interest Ms. Victory. There are a variety of factors at play with respect to
Harding Park, of which we have been well aware. We have continued to move
aggressively to address the multi-faceted issues recently raised by CBS Channel 2 News.

As Alderman, I operate through the guiding principles of providing responsive and

effective government as well as and implementing comprehensive delivery of high-quality
services to my 37th Ward constituents.

I am also committed to efficiently deliver services that directly address the unique
challenges facing our city neighborhoods – and maintaining the cleanliness of our area park
spaces is one of them.

With respect to Harding Park playground, we have stepped-up our cleaning and security
efforts significantly. Thanks to the hard work and diligent efforts of park employees under
the direction of the Chicago Park District’s Central Region Director Mr. Art Richardson, we
have made considerable progress and will continue to do so.

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We’re also expanding efforts to work with nearby community residents, asking them to
help us keep their neighborhood park clean by placing trash in receptacles and immediately
and anonymously reporting any suspected drug or other unwelcome activity to my office
or the police. We have made this a priority in response to resident concerns.

In all fairness however, the photos you enclosed of the park in your email yesterday seem
to be the exact same one you provided at the start of the summer. Please note that this litter
and other paraphernalia have long been removed from the playground, and we continue to
vigilantly keep this park playground clean, safe and secure.

In addition, I have implemented regular update meetings with local Park District and 11th
District Police officials regarding mitigating negative activity at the park. I’ve convened
both several community meetings about Harding Park improvements with local neighbors,
the Park District, CAPS representatives and Chicago Police, and one-on-one sessions in
my ward office to serve as a resource to facilitate private discussion sessions for residents.

I want to thank the involvement and cooperation of everyone involved in these strategic,
results-oriented group meetings, designed to help ensure increased viability.

We are jointly moving forward to reduce Harding Park’s operational closing hours from
11pm to 9pm, and the Chicago Park District will have signage posted shortly.

Finally, I’m assessing our options and providing leadership oversight, attempting to secure
better, energy efficient lighting in this City-owned park, in a sustainable and cost-effective
manner. We’ll keep everyone updated. Thank you.”

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Media Contact: A.L. Smith, alsmithmedia1@gmail.com, 312-720-2965