Oz Park

Oz Park is one of the most popular parks in Lincoln Central and a favorite recreation destination for area residents. Created in 1967 by the Chicago Park District, this 13-acre park was named in honor of L. Frank Baum, the author of the Wizard of Oz, who for a time lived a short distance from the park. The park has recreational facilities including basketball and tennis courts, a jogging path and the Melamerson Athletic Field. Other amenities include numerous picnic tables, a large children’s playground area and the Emerald City Gardens.

Over the years, the park has benefited by the active involvement of area residents. In 1988, the Oz Park Playground was constructed along Webster, having been funded by donations from area residents and businesses. A large plaque outside the play area lists the donors. The Oz Park Advisory Council spearheaded the creation of the beautiful Emerald City Gardens, near the corner of Webster and Larrabee. The gardens, which are maintained by Oz Park Advisory Council, provide a quiet area within Oz Park for relaxation and contemplation.

The largest single contributor to Oz Park was Dorothy Melamerson whose 1994 bequest made possible the reconstruction of the large athletic field just north of Lincoln Park High School. Dorothy, a long time area resident, was a gym teacher in the Chicago Public Schools and was interested in the physical well being of children. Through consistent savings, a modest lifestyle and wise investing, Dorothy left $900,000 to upgrade park facilities and begin youth sports programs in 43 rd Ward parks. $600,000 went into the 1996 and 1997 renovation of the Oz Park athletic field, which was named the Melamerson Athletic Field in her honor.

The park has also benefited by placement of statues of characters from the Wizard of Oz, made possible through the generosity of area residents, community organizations and businesses. In 1995, the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce placed the Tin Man statue, created by noted Old Town artist John Kearney, at the corner of Webster and Larrabee. The Oz Park Advisory Council organized fund raising drives for the creation of additional Wizard of Oz statues. In 2001, the Cowardly Lion statue was dedicated at the corner of Larrabee and Dickens and in 2005, the Scarecrow statue was placed in the Emerald Gardens. A statue of Dorothy and Toto will be placed in the Emerald Gardens in the spring of 2007.

In 2006, the Oz Park Advisory Council obtained significant funding from State Representative John Fritchey and Alderman Vi Daley for improvements to the children’s playground. In 2007, the entire surface area will be replaced with a rubberized soft surface similar to that being used in more recently renovated play areas in other parks. Some of the equipment will also be repaired or replaced.

The Oz Park Advisory Council is a group of dedicated park volunteers. Individuals interested in getting involved in efforts to benefit Oz Park can telephone Judy Johanson at 773-929-2034 or Lincoln Central Association (Voice Mail: 312-409-2783) or email Lincoln Central at Rick_Rausch@msn.com.

Photos:

Tin Man Statue, Cowardly Lion Statue, Emerald City Gardens and Melamerson Athletic Field

Bauler Park

Bauler Playlot Park, located on Wisconsin Avenue between Cleveland and Mohawk, was last redesigned in the mid 1980's by Old Town resident and renowned architect, Walter Netsch. In the early 1990's, neighborhood residents raised over $7,000 to install additional children's playground equipment around a preexisting swing set. A new wooden perimeter structure was also installed to clearly define the area. The park has now become a gathering place for neighborhood children and families.

In 1999, a group of neighborhood residents, led by Lincoln Central Association President Rick Rausch, formed the Bauler Park Advisory Council in an effort to upgrade the Park's amenities and appearance. In the past six years, over $50,000 has been raised for park improvements, which include numerous new plantings, a sprinkler system, new park benches, the storybook corner seating area dedicated to Ella Jenkins and new trash containers. The Council also funds a supplemental maintenance program to preserve the park's planted areas. The perimeter ornamental fence was installed by the Chicago Park District as part of the citywide program to replace old chain link fences. In 2006, the Parkway along Wisconsin Avenue was renovated with new bricks and ornamental iron fences were placed around the parkway trees.

The Bauler Park Advisory Council is planning additional improvements to the park's plantings and greenery. Individuals can send tax-deductible contributions to Lincoln Central Association, P.O. Box 14306, Chicago, IL 60614-0306. If you are interested in joining the Council, please contact Rick Rausch at 312-944-7595 or e-mail Rick at Rick_Rausch@msn.com