Wicker Park Booster
June 27, 2007
By Mark Lawton

A park in East Wicker Park is getting a half-million dollar makeover.

Around $500,000 has been set aside for Dean Park located between Milwaukee, Dean Street and Paulina.

The makeover will include replacing the current drinking fountain with a three-tiered fountain, a new spray pool for young children, a new field house and replacement playground. Trees and a park bench will also be added.

While the Park District won't confirm the timing, Michael Schorsch of the East Wicker Park Organization says the project is set to begin in the fall and be complete by spring or summer 2008.

The organization still hopes to raise another $17,000 to $20,000 so it can grade the western portion of the park.

The money was set aside with the help of Alderman Manuel Flores, 1st, who sits on the City Councils park's committee.

"We've seen an increase in the usage of Dean Park," said Flores. "We have a growing need for more play lot space. There are many families in the area and many new families with kids."

Schorsch has also seen change since he purchased a building across from the park in 1991.

"I've seen it go from an abandoned park to a rejuvenated park," he said.