Our PAC History

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Thanks to our 19th Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea, the greenspace was rezoned in 2013 to parks and open space from residential to prevent real estate development.

In 2016, Ald. O’Shea helped facilitate the land swap transaction between the Chicago Board of Education (who owned the vacant land for nearly a century) and the Chicago Park District and the open greenspace became known as Park No. 581. 

The PARK 581 Park Advisory Council (PAC) was formed in August, 2021 when we learned from Ald. Matt O’Shea about a grant opportunity offered by the City of Chicago for the park. We got busy and out of 239 applications, we were one of the 21 semi-finalists for the $1.5MM grant.  

We have had a great start and amazing two years with each our Boards and members, growing consistently since then, all thanks to the helping hands of our wonderful community. We are just getting started and very excited for 2024 and beyond.

PARK 581 PAC Board 2023-2024:

Charles Williams, President

Lorraine Linnerud, Vice President

Ivette Williams, Secretary

Milton Chandler, Treasurer

PARK 581 PAC Board 2022-2023:

Charles Williams, President

Lorraine Linnerud, Vice President

Ivette Williams, Secretary

Ken Bergeron, Treasurer

PARK 581 PAC Board 2021-2022:

Mike Doyle, President

Lorraine Linnerud, Vice President

Ivette Williams, Secretary

Milton Chandler, Treasurer

PAC Email: ThePrairiePark@gmail.com