Fence causes South Loop controversy

By Marie Balice Ward

A fence recently installed around a public park adjacent to South Loop Elementary School has caused an uproar among neighbors.

The school sits at 1212 S. Plymouth Ct., and the Chicago Park District’s Mary Richardson Jones Park is located on 13th Street between Plymouth Court and Federal Street, an area where vehicular traffic is limited to student drop-off and pick-up. Residents object that the community was not notified in advance and given an opportunity for input on whether a fence is acceptable and, if so, to agree on its design.

In mid-September, an intergovernmental agency agreement designated the park a recess area for South Loop School’s students, although the park remains Chicago Park District property. The community will continue to have full access to the park, stated John P. Jacoby, vice chair of South Loop School’s Local School Council (LSC).

The school wanted a fence around the park’s perimeter to safeguard the children. When the four-foot-plus barrier was being installed, area residents ran out of their homes to object, saying they were not informed of the fence or the park’s use for recess. Fence installation was stopped by 2nd Ward Alderman Madeline Haithcock, who insisted community meetings be held before the project continued.
According to Jacoby, the school had formed a recess committee two years ago that opted for a fence. “Public schools throughout Chicago have fences around recess areas,” he noted.

'Enhance child safety'
Nipa Shah, MD, who lives on south Polk Street, wrote to the Gazette in favor of the fence. “Never should aesthetics, and the need for an ‘open feel,’ replace research-based evidence and national safety guidelines recommending a fence to enhance child safety around a park, especially one that is surrounded on three sides by streets with heavy traffic around pick-up/drop-off times."

In another letter, Ross Rhone agreed. “The proposed fence has openings at all four corners," Rhone wrote. "There is absolutely nothing to prevent or hinder the surrounding community from using and enjoying the park…At the same time, the fence will provide a safe, contained area for students during school hours."

Sarah Morissey of south State Street opposes the fence, writing, "I am absolutely appalled at the audacity of the CPS [Chicago Public Schools] in Dearborn Park II to think that they could build a fence around the Mary Richardson Community Park…We need our park."

On Sept. 28, a community meeting was held to present the proposed design and explain why it is needed. By then, the design had undergone modifications, including adding more access gates.

In addition to South Loop School LSC members, those attending included David W. Pickens, deputy to the chief executive officer of the Chicago Public Schools, and 2nd Ward Alderman Madeline Haithcock. Every seat in the school auditorium was filled, and many other people were left standing or seated on steps.

CPD 'will consult'
A letter on CPS stationery and signed by Pickens stated, “…my apologies for the Chicago Public Schools’ failure to consult with a broader audience before beginning construction of the fence…we feel obligated to spend more time exploring alternative proposals. The Chicago Public Schools will continue to consult with the Chicago Park District and communicate with those groups and individuals who proposed other potential solutions before making a final recommendation….”

Haithcock said at the meeting, “I didn’t know about this fence until it was going up. It was done wrong. We needed a community meeting. Now, we need time to absorb the idea and come up with a solution that meets everyone’s approval.” She then initiated a show of hands, and the majority of the audience was in favor of a fence.

Among those attending was Aili Breshnahan, who has a first and third grader at South Loop School. She firmly believes “a fence is absolutely necessary for the safety of the children who are dropped off before school as well as during recess. Everyone feels passionately about the issues involved—child safety, recess, proper notification of community residents, etc. Unfortunately there are no easy answers that will please everyone.”

Karen Moeller said, “We need to assure the children’s safety before school and during the after-school programs. I’m surprised it is not already fenced.”

'This is…public property'
Jean Marshall countered, “This is Park District, public property.”

Ellen Lorden, parent of a South Loop School student and member of the recess committee, said, “I want recess [for the children], and safety is important. Fencing the park has been on the agenda for a long time. I’m sorry the message did not get out.”

A South Loop School student spoke out against the fence, however, saying it would make him “feel closed in.”

School Principal Patrick Baccellieri and Jacoby both said CPS requires a fence for recess areas. Haithcock disputed their claim, and on checking directly with Ron Lee of CPS’s operation department, stated, “There is no law or requirement for a fence. It is simply a recommendation.”

A meeting of those opposing the fence included residents and parents whose children attend the school. They have garnered 600 signatures on a petition to keep the park fenceless, said Kris Bazos, a Dearborn Park resident for 12 years.

'Never been a problem'
A resident who opposes the fence said, "The park needs to be open. There are plenty of ways to ensure the safety of the children. There has never been a problem or incident here, and this [the park] is public land.”

Meg Hartmann, who lives across the street from the park, said, “The school should be responsible for maintaining the park if they plan to annex it.”

Among alternate solutions offered by fence opponents was locating the recess area in the space currently occupied by the school’s parking lot, breaking through the wall under Roosevelt Road, and creating a parking lot there with drop-off areas for buses. Another proposal involved installing a collapsible fence whenever the children use the park before or after school and during recess.

On Oct. 2, the LSC called a special meeting to vote on the proposed fence, and the fence and its design were approved by a vote of 9 to 2. The two votes against the fence were by community representatives Jacques Eady and Enrique Perez.

At the LSC meeting, Baccellieri said, “Even without a policy requiring fences for recess areas, 98 out of 99 of Chicago’s schools do have fences. And, there is so much news about violence at schools...”

Those in favor of the fence also have support from 1st District Police Commander James Keating.

At that same meeting, Jacqueline M. Toepfer, whose child attends South Loop School, said the community representatives were not representing the school to the community as per the bylaws of the council. “Eady and Perez did not dispel the rumors that the park would eventually be blacktopped…when they knew there was no such plan,” Toepfer said, noting she has circulated a petition to members of her condominium building association, many of whom approve of the fence. She also said the LSC community representatives are "not in touch" with anyone beyond Dearborn Park, while the school boundaries reach far beyond the community.

Eady said, “I voted against the fence because there was not enough information. I am not against the fence being installed.”

'Give-and-take needed'
Perez said, “There must be two-way communications regarding issues of concern. Multiple parties need to come together, and give-and-take is needed. A consensus must be reached. We should have another community meeting.”

On Oct. 17, fence supporters demonstrated, forming a human chain around the park to symbolize the proposed fence. The demonstration was sponsored by Family & Friends of South Loop School Inc. and the South Loop Education Alliance.

On the same day, CPS called a closed meeting that later was canceled. Jacoby said, “I understand that the opposition group would not agree to be bound by whatever the invited community representatives agreed to. There are moderates who want input into the fence design and then others are against a fence of any sort. Given that, CPS canceled the meeting because negotiating on the fence with the moderates would not bring in the ‘no fence whatsoever’ group, who are likely going to bring a lawsuit and seek an injunction, regardless of the process.”