The Old Place New Tricks challenge encourages community members to take charge of their vacant or underused spaces.
(Chicago) ... We all have spots in need of love in our neighborhood, and this summer groups across the city are choosing to do something about it. From Englewood to Ravenswood, The Metropolitan Planning Council’s (MPC) 2014 Placemaking Challenge, Old Place New Tricks, has inspired neighborhood organizations to transform their vacant or lonely spaces into community gathering places through quick and easy ideas developed by communities. During the weekend of August 15, 16 and 17, these groups will activate their space for one day and invite their neighbors to come out and enjoy.
The communities taking part are all over the map—Greater Grand Crossing, Rogers Park, Near North, Austin and others—and the activities are just as varied, from celebrations of peace to public collaborative art projects, a “healthy eating happy hour,” a Bronzeville Bike Box and more. A full list, including dates and locations for each group’s activation, is available here.
Activation weekend is Aug. 15 to 17. Each group will activate their space for one day on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. There will be public voting online starting on the first activation day, Friday, Aug. 15, through Wednesday, Aug. 20.
MPC believes that Placemaking gives people the power to transform their neighborhoods, one space at a time. We at MPC hope this challenge provides communities an opportunity to tackle those vacant or underused spaces they've been eyeing for a while. Most of all, though, we hope it's a chance for people to get together with friends and neighbors for a great summer event!
WHO: Community organizations across Chicago and neighborhood residents
WHAT: MPC’s 2014 Placemaking challenge, Old Place New Tricks
WHERE: All over Chicago and the City of Blue Island Group details here
WHEN: Aug. 15, 16 and 17 All day
About MPC:
For 80 years, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has made the Chicago region a better place to live and work by partnering with businesses, communities and governments to address the area’s toughest planning and development challenges. MPC works to solve today's urgent problems while consistently thinking ahead to prepare the region for the needs of tomorrow.