Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed funding for two parks on the Near West Side earlier this month.

Union Park, at 1501 W. Randolph St., would get $700,000 for an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant playground. The project would pay for new playground equipment, a rubberized surface, new lighting and perimeter fencing.

Trio Park, at 702 W. Wayman Ave., would be a new park, paid for partially with $500,000 in Open Space Impact fees. The half-acre park would include a garden path, trees, other landscaping and perimeter fencing.

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By ardecila
Posted: 11/19/2011 12:51 PM

LouMont: read the part about "Open Space Impact Fees". Developers are paying for the park, just not directly. Trio's agreement with the city also holds them responsible for park maintenance, so in no way are city taxpayers getting screwed. Of course, it would be perfectly valid for the city to pay for the construction and maintenance. It is, after all, a PUBLIC PARK.

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By LouMont
Posted: 11/18/2011 11:11 AM

I thought the Trio Park was supposed to be built by the developer and then given to the city(per zoning change) at no cost to taxpayers. Guess developer cashes out and city is stuck with finishing the project! (Also heard the City allowed some of the land to be lost through a tax sale and then new owner and City had to pay up to get it back!) Typical

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By Anonymous
Posted: 11/17/2011 10:51 PM

Nice. I think now that the budget fiasco has passed, the Mayor can finally begin focusing on quality of life issues throughout the city. That we Chicagoans so badly need.