RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 2, 2019
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners Honoring the 20th Anniversary of Ping Tom Park (As Revised)
Body
WHEREAS, in 1962, construction of the Dan Ryan Expressway necessitated the demolition of the only two public parks located within the Chinatown community; and
WHEREAS, in the mid 1970’s, a small strip of land was developed into a park and was later purchased by the Chicago Park District for use as a public park. However, the Chinese community felt that this small tract of land created an inferior park; and
WHEREAS, the lack of open space in Chinatown was continuously noted as a serious issue of concern by the community; and
WHEREAS, in 1984, after many years of advocating for the City of Chicago to build a new park in Chinatown, civic leader Ping Tom formed the Chinese American Development Corporation (CADC). Five years later, the CADC purchased 32 acres of land and began construction of Chinatown Square. 6 acres of the land purchased along the Chicago River remained undeveloped; and
WHEREAS, the Chinatown Riverside Park Advisory Council was formed to work with the Chicago Park District on developing the remaining parcel of land into a public park; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, the Chicago Park District purchased the 6 acres of land from the CADC, along with an additional 6 acres, for the creation of a park; and
WHEREAS, Ping Tom passed away on July 5, 1995, three years before the construction of the park that he had fought so adamantly for began; and
WHEREAS, in March of 1998, the Chinatown Riverside Park Advisory Council recommended naming the park in honor of Ping Tom. That recommendation was approved on August 3, 1998; and
WHEREAS, on October 2, 1999, Ping Tom Memorial Park was officially opened. The park holds a children’s playground, areas for the community to gather and host various events, and fitness facilities; and
WHEREAS, Ping Tom Park is one of the first communities to truly embrace the Chicago River. It was fought for and designed by the Chinatown community. It is a beautiful example of not only the park being designed around the river and the community, but the community being designed around the river and the park. The park is truly a community space where families gather, seniors practice Tai Chi, children play in the park and thousands of visitors arrive every year on the water taxi. It is also home to an annual Dragon Boat Festival and more recently, the Josina and Friends’ Big Jump; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize the importance of Ping Tom Park to the residents of the City of Chicago and honor the contributions to of its namesake Ping Tom to the Chinese community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to Darryl Tom.
Dated: May 2, 2019