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Alderman Mary Ann Smith
5533 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 784-5277
Fax: (773) 784-5033
info@masmith48.org
City Hall Office
121 N. LaSalle St.
Room 300
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 744-6860
Fax: (312) 744-0804
Environment & Parks
Alderman Smith is often called “Chicago’s Green Alderman” because of her advocacy for innovative environmental programs, sustainable development, walkable neighborhoods and both high- and low-tech solutions to global warming, water conservation, the urban heat island effect and emissions issues. She has teamed with the community to model green projects in the Ward; many of these ideas have been adopted throughout Chicago.
On This Page:
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“Blue Town” Water Resources and Conservation
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Greenhouse Gas, the Urban Heat Island and Global Warming
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Native Gardens
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Parks
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Demand for Dog Parks Grows
“Blue Town” Water Resources and Conservation
When we look out at Lake Michigan, it seems our water resources are endless. However, Alderman Smith and the 48th Ward community realize that all natural resources are finite, and we must work hard to protect and preserve them. We are pioneering many techniques that not only reduce our reliance on tap water but also mitigate basement and street flooding, reduce the urban heat island effect and help reduce storm surge overflow of untreated wastewater into our rivers and the lake.
The community, along with the Departments of Water Management, Transportation, Planning, Public Schools and Park District call these collective efforts “Blue Town” after the shimmering blueness of Lake Michigan’s beautiful water. Blue Town initiatives include installing and testing various porous surfaces to replace hard concrete and paving in our alleys and parking lots; disconnecting downspouts from city sewers; using rainbarrels to collect storm water for outdoor uses; French Drains, native plant gardens to collect and absorb storm water and more.
For an update on all 48th Ward environmental projects, click here.
[Return to Top]Greenhouse Gas, the Urban Heat Island and Global Warming
Alderman Smith is active in the International Conference on Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) which researches and promotes best practices on urban environmental issues around the world. It is through participation in ICLEI that Alderman Smith has brought to the Ward and to the Mayor up-to-the-minute information and case studies on hydrogen fuel cell technology, green roofs, urban heat island mitigation techniques and other conservation measures. These concepts are being implemented in neighborhoods across the City, and many have been written into the Municipal Code as law.
[Return to Top]Native Gardens
Native Gardens are being planted throughout the Ward. The newest, developed through the work of Ned Read and the Carmen-Winona Block Club, is located in a reclaimed playlot at Margate Park. To learn more about these efforts and native gardening, click here.
Native gardens, like this one at Osterman Beach,
are easier to maintain and are more supportive
of the environment.
The 48th Ward Office has developed a Guide to Native Plants that depicts many of the plants that do well in our climate. You can access the Guide here.
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Hundreds of people joined Alderman Smith
at the dedication of the new passive park
at Sheridan and Thorndale.
Parks
The 48th Ward is Chicago’s most dense Ward with the least amount of greenspace per capita. Studies have conclusively linked greenspace with enhancing children’s emotional and physical development, fostering a sense of community and improving public safety. Understanding the positive impact of greenspace, Alderman Smith is dedicated to acquiring new parkland for the Ward and to improving existing spaces.
The new Margate Park playlot
features fanciful sculptures and mosaics
created by the community in addition
to the usual playground equipment.
Over the past decade she has successfully funded more than $4 million for acquiring land for new parks and more than $3 million for building new playlots, passive parks and dog parks. Recently park projects include the passive park at Thorndale and Sheridan and the new playlot and native plant garden at Margate Park. Planning currently is underway for the expansion of the Bromann Playlot, a new playlot near Osterman Beach, a new dog park near Sheridan and Bryn Mawr, a campus park at Goudy School and greening around Senn High School.
Alderman Smith will continue to work with the community to enhance and increase the Ward’s greenspaces.
[Return to Top]Demand for Dog Parks Grows
Puptown, at Marine Drive and Lawrence, is the first, and currently the only, "Dog-Friendly Area" in our community, a place where dogs can play off-leash safely and legally. Efforts are underway to establish additional dog parts in other parts of the Ward. Contact Tom Samuels if you're interesting in working on this project.
And, if you're interested in dog or cat, or want to volunteer with animals, visit Animal Care and Control's website.
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