Parks and Planes proposal wins recognition from Chicago group

Advocates of re-opening Meigs Field got a boost today, when a Chicago trade organization recognized a proposal by the Friends of Meigs Field with one of its highest awards. The Publicity Club of Chicago presented a Golden Trumpet award to the Friends of Meigs for its innovative plan to re-open Meigs Field as a combination park/airport/air museum.

The proposal, titled "Parks and Planes: A Vision for Meigs Field and Northerly Island," received the award at the PCC's annual awards luncheon, in the category of Best Book, Brochure or Booklet. The PCC is the nation's largest public relations membership organization.

"We are tremendously excited about this recognition," said Rachel Goodstein, past president of the organization, in accepting the award.

The proposal is a bold and innovative proposal that would benefit park users and flyers alike. Combining 18 acres of new lakefront parkland with a re-opened and improved Meigs Field, the proposal also includes an aviation museum to complement the Chicago Museum Campus. Park features would include more new lakefront parkland than has been added in perhaps 50 years, meadows, harborside promenades, nature walks, an improved and expanded 12th St. beach, and even an artificial scuba reef. The plan also contains a 20-year vision for the future with expanded parkland, museum, and airport.

Funding for the plan would come from federal (95%) and other aviation funds-requiring no local property taxes-and leave up to $100 million in revenues left over to improve other parks across the city.

"This is practically a no-brainer," said Steve Whitney, president of the Friends of Meigs Field. "New parkland, exciting new things to do with your kids on the Museum Campus, more airport capacity during a time of record airport congestion, and millions for other parks, all at no cost to local taxpayers. The public should know about this proposal."

The plan was written under the leadership of Phil Guziec, chairman of the Friends of Meigs' plan committee, illustrated by Terry Baker and Sheila Macomber, and designed and produced by Rick Vogeney of Vogeney PhotoDesign.

At the same awards luncheon, the Friends of Meigs also received a second award for Crisis Public Relations, for the work of the group in the hours, days, and weeks following Mayor Daley's demolition of Meigs' runway in March of last year.

FMI: www.meigsaction.net