Community Organizing in Logan Square

In July 1986, Unity was only a little concrete-paved play-lot in the middle of a concrete jungle. Joel Monarch recounts how it became the Unity Park of today, with one of the most active advisory councils in the city.

But this is also a story about community organizing - bringing neighborhood issues into focus, finding consensus, and working with local government to implement them - colored with insights into the unique political atmosphere of that period in Chicago.

July, 1986—“Playlot 293” becomes an issue

The origin of Playlot 293

August 21, 1986 meeting

The 1986 political backdrop

Thursday October 16, 1986 --public meeting

Friday October 17, 1986

Monday October 20, 1986—we take a bus

Tuesday October 21, 1986—we meet face to face with Jesse Madison

October 27, 1986—face to face again with Jesse Madison

Thursday December 4, 1986-- public meeting

Wednesday December 17, 1986—one more meeting downtown

EPILOGUE

Jan-April, 1987—we publicize and rename Playlot #293

May-June, 1987, the birth of Unity Playlot Park