Open space projects approved today by City Council will expand a park on the Northwest Side and create a community garden and urban farm on the West Side.

Ogden Garden
A 13,000-square-foot community garden will be constructed at 4228-36 W. Ogden Ave. in North Lawndale through $300,000 in Open Space Impact Fees. The garden will be constructed by Openlands, a not-for-profit open space agency, and owned by the NeighborSpace land trust, which will provide liability insurance for its use by local residents. Open Space Impact Fees are collected from new residential developments to help finance new open space projects within each of the city's 77 community areas. The remainder of the $450,000 project’s cost will be paid for with 22nd Ward Aldermanic funds.

Chicago Farm Works
Eleven City-owned lots in Humboldt Park will be sold to the NeighborSpace land trust and developed as a 2.5-acre urban farm through $1.75 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance. In providing transitional jobs and fresh produce to local residents, the farm will be managed by Heartland Human Care Services Inc., a leading human rights and social services organization. Located on the 400 blocks of North Whipple, Kedzie and Albany avenues, each lot will be sold for $1.

Eugene Field Park
A $345,000 TIF proposal will support the expansion of Albany Park’s Eugene Field at 5100 N. Ridgeway Ave. The funds will pay for new walking paths, fencing and landscaping.

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