East Garfield ParkGroup 2: Patricia Schwerdt, Joanna Kwiatkowski, Jenna Moravec, and Allison StovallFounded in 1869Largely affected by the fire of 1871, which caused many to leave the communityFirst event to cause community declineLow income communityNot easily accessible transportation services. 2 miles from the nearest green line stopThe main basis of their community is African American

Background and HistoryHit a low point due to the 1968 riotsMartin Luther King Jr. was assassinatedCaused the businesses to leaveWorking towards a green communityDale Chihuly Show- Peaked the interest of the Garfield Park ConservatoryMayor Daley and Park District General Superintendent David Doig became major advocates for community improvements

Background and History cont. Race and Ethnicity: 97.4% African American

Gender: 53.1% Female, 46.9% Male

Age: 15% 35-44, Median age: 29.2Demographic BackgroundHousehold Income: -34% less than $15,000-39% above $35,000-16.4% UnemployedEducational Level:-78% ages 3-25 enrolled in school-60.6% High School Graduate-7.7% Bachelors Degree or higher-26.2% No High School Diploma

Socio-economic Background Top three causes of death in community: 1. Heart Disease2. (All) Cancer 3. Homicide Top three health problems in community1. Heart Disease2. Lung Cancer3. DiabetesMajor Health ProblemsThe Garfield Park Community Council is serving to improve their community in two aspects:Public HealthGeneral focus on public safetyDevelopment of Garfield Park Garden NetworkSocial HealthBusiness development- Building a Better Kedzie programHousing development- Garfield Park Housing CenterGarfield Park ConservatoryAssets in the CommunityWe can here talk about the conservatory here is a link to what it is about http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/about_us.htm

Public HealthHealthy Grocery StoresMedical NeedsFree ClinicsSocial Sanitation Real EstateWhat is lacking in East Garfield ParkMap of Neighborhood

-In 1994 huge cold spell destroyed plants-Chicago Park District organized group to help Conservatory-Awarded $1.46 million grant to help fix-In 2005 quality of life plan Growing a Healthy Community was published-Plan was to provide not only physical but also spiritual enrichment through cultural heritage and beauty. spiritual enrichment through cultural heritage and beauty.Conservatoryin 2011 hail destroyed the glass roofing, still under construction as of April 2014-Supported by LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation)

-Provide opportunities for residents, business, city agencies, community based organization and institutions

Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance-200 Stakeholders-Improve quality of life for East Garfield Park :-Land Use-Housing-Business, Commercial, and Workforce Development-Education-Cultural Arts-Community Health-Youth FocusGarfield Park Conservatory AllianceWho: Eric Sutherland Firefighter/EMT

What we learned from the InterviewThere is a big drug problem down there, heroin especially. There have been pretty large amounts of heroin overdoses we have experienced on calls. -Noticed suburban kids get off a bus stop in East Garfield park and go to the known drug homes and leave with brown bags, presumably filled with drugs. Issues Noticed in the Community The conservatory is a really beautiful place and the park as a whole is a nice place, however we get many calls for overdoses-He thinks that there should be some stronger regulations in the park if they want to make it a better place. What have you experienced with the Conservatory? Even though I am not with the fire department every day the most calls that we experience are drug related -They also often receive calls for:-Homicide -Cardiac Arrest-Chest Pains -Alcohol Related What are the main types of calls that you get in East Garfield Park? With the park itself being so beautiful and offering help to the residents I believe that the community needs to get rid of its drug related issues and work as a whole in order to be able to appreciate what the Conservatory and other programs have to offer Overall do you think that there should be more community involvement to better East Garfield Park?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS1u7XoOF40Videohttp://www.newcommunities.org/communities/eastgarfield/about.asphttp://www.public-record.com/content/municipalities/cook/chicago_and_77communities_census_demographics.asphttp://www.chicagohealthatlas.org/place/east_garfield_parkhttp://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/404.htmlhttp://www.gpcommunitycouncil.org/GPCC-Programs/Community-Wellness.htmlhttps://www.garfieldconservatory.org/new_communities.htm

References