Remembering our Past, Living in the Present,
and Building for the Future
An Updated Plan for North Park Village
In January 2022, the NPV Advisory Council voted to undertake a process that will create an updated plan for North Park Village. The plan will address an evolving range of topics including:
- Transportation, walking & biking
- Open space, gardens, & sustainability
- Public safety
- Historic preservation
- Adaptive re-use of existing vacant and underutilized facilities
- Parks - Updated Vision Plans for Peterson Park and North Park Village Nature Center Park
Thank you for visiting NPVs Building for the Future homepage.
We invite you to add your voice and your story. To do so, you can do the following below:
- Take the NPV Building for the Future Survey
- Watch the NPV Building for the Future video
- Read the North Park Village historical timeline to learn about how citizens and community together have shaped preservation, adaptation and new uses over the years.
- Share your North Park Village experience pictures and stories
- Volunteer with the NPV Outreach and Engagement Team
Thank you!
For more information, questions, or comments about NPV Building for the Future, please contact the NPV Outreach and Engagement Team at NPVbuildingforthefuture@northrivercommission.org
Making Our Voices Still Count,
Jac Charlier - North Park Village Co-Chair
Nancy Anne Katz
Kathy Manrriquez
Marie McDaye
North Park Village Survey • Your Voice Still Counts
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. This survey is designed to GIVE the community a VOICE in the future of North Park Village. We realize how precious your time is. That’s why we made sure this survey will only take a quick [amount of time – preferably in seconds]. There are only 17 questions
North Park Village History
Chicago’s Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium (MTS) opened in 1915 on the northwest side of the city on land donated by Pehr Peterson, a Swedish immigrant who had previously used the land as a tree orchard. At the time, fresh air and open space were considered important factors for treating tuberculosis, so the land was well-suited to its new use. By the 1970s, medical advances meant that declining numbers of people needed to visit sanitariums for treatment, and the MTS closed at the end of 1974. Shortly before that, in November 1973, developer Harry Chaddick proposed converting the nearly 160 acre MTS site in to a shopping complex and high rise apartments. This plan was strongly opposed by many area residents and local groups, including the North River Commission, an umbrella organization for local community groups that was founded in 1962.
With the support of the North River Commission and other local groups, the North River Coalition to Save the MTS Site was created. Northsiders opposed to commercial development on the MTS site attended meetings with city officials, wrote letters, surveyed local residents, held rallies, and researched alternative possibilities for the site. Their proposed uses for the land emphasized preserving open space and serving senior citizens. In 1975, Mayor Richard J. Daley proposed a plan for the site that incorporated many of the North River Coalition’s proposals, such as open space, a park, senior housing, and a health center. While the following decades continued to see disagreements and debates over the use of the land, many of these projects eventually became part of North Park Village, and the emphasis remained on open space rather than commercial development.
A groundbreaking for Pehr Peterson Park was held in 1977 on the former MTS grounds, and the area was officially given the name North Park Village in February 1979. In the next decade, two senior housing complexes and a health center opened, programs and events were held at the Nature Center, and plans began to renovate the MTS theater building.
In 1988, Mayor Eugene Sawyer announced the creation of a conservation easement that would prohibit development on over 100 acres of land within North Park Village. Rights for the land protected by the conservation easement were transferred to Open Lands, a local environmental non-profit. In exchange, it was agreed that the city would develop 12 acres in the southwest corner of North Park Village with the hope of raising revenues to offset costs of maintaining the rest of the village. Initially the conservation easement had a 75-year limit, but it was made permanent in 2020.
NPV Outreach Historic Timeline
Introduction
The story of North Park Village is a familiar one…. a David and Goliath - little guy wins plot…. but in this case, after a decades-long battle. It is the story of the power of voice....the persistent voice of a community unified in creating a protected beautiful resource for the benefit of an entire community. The existence of North Park Village is the result of this community vision and the dedication of the people who used their voice to make it a reality for today and into the future. The moral is that while we, as individuals, may feel insignificant we are not, because with unity and persistence we can succeed!
NORTH PARK VILLAGE TIMELINE
Prior to the settlement of North Park Village, the land belonged to Native Pottawatomi. We invite you to learn more about our First Nation Potawatomi neighbors who are known as the People of the Place of the Fire. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation home page is here: www.potawatomi.org
1850s
Pehr Samuel Peterson, a Swedish arborist and landowner, supplied trees for city boulevards and Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition
1908
The Glackin Law granted Chicago permission to vote on establishment of Metropolitan Tuberculosis Sanitarium (MTS). Funding was provided via special taxation for the construction & maintenance of a TB sanitarium.
1911
City of Chicago acquires 60 acres for $158,000 to build MTS.
1912-1914
MTS built
1915
MTS dedication. This self-contained community on the edge of the city provides a full range of tuberculosis healthcare services. With 32 buildings/650 beds, it is the largest MTS in the country w/ultimate capacity of 950 beds; 2 main sections (south for women & north for men)
1953
1,450 residents
1962
North River Commission established, becoming umbrella organization of local community groups and spearheading future protest to MTS commercial development proposals.
1973
With tuberculosis cases in decline, Harry Chaddick (Mayor Richard J Daley’s committee chair on shopping centers) along with a few residents, proposes development of MTS property as “Green Acres.” He proposes a 70-acre shopping center, 57.5 acres mid-rise apartments (500 units), 27.5 acres park.
1973-74
“When we got wind of the proposal our people went bananas!”
The surrounding community vehemently objects to development proposal: 1. Population density will have a negative impact on neighborhood character; 2. Increased vehicle movement; 3. Distressing environmental impact; 4. Loss of business to existing merchants; 5. Enriches real estate developers, not the community.
“This protest organized itself.”
In response, the North River Commission and community groups rally to action: meet w/ city officials, hold letter-writing campaign, survey local residents, encourage local media coverage, research and propose alternative uses for the site.
1974
MTS closes and in response, North River Coalition to Save the MTS Site forms.
The Coalition proposes a community plan to preserve natural areas, create open space and park areas, and repurpose existing structures
1975
Community advocacy drives city plan for the area based on NRCoalition to Save the MTS.
Site proposal gains support of Mayor Richard J. Daley.
“Initial and ongoing efforts of local people were effective in opposing this commercial development.”
1976
A master plan for development is created that includes a nature preserve, protected open space, rehab and reuse of existing buildings. The plan also creates Peterson Park and encourages senior housing (a partnership between North River Commission MTS and the City of Chicago)
1977
Based on the plan to create park spaces, Chicago Park District begins leasing and redeveloping site. Groundbreaking takes place for Pehr Peterson Park (#452)
1978
Community Advisory Council forms to monitor plan implementation, oversee management, and advise Chicago Planning Dept. Opening of Peterson Park takes place. Development of the 46-acre Nature Center includes hiking trails with a pond and a naturalist on staff. In December, City Council resolution passed for 75-year lease for senior housing. Northside Learning Center is built.
1979
MTS space officially named North Park Village. North Park Village Advisory Council holds first meeting May 3. Its primary purposes are to assist in the development and protection of North Park Village and to act in cooperation and coordination with the City of Chicago for long-term governance of the site.
1980
Health Center opens. Senate Senior Apartments completed.
1982
An open meeting is held to vote on a new proposal submitted by Chicago Planning Commission. 1000+ residents attend and vote against the proposal which includes sale of sections of the property. Mayor Jane Byrne attends and rescinds proposal after resident says, “We elected you and we can unelect you!” Openlands, the northeastern Illinois conservation organization, proposes an alternate plan to protect North Park Village with a conservation easement – first use of this legal agreement for public property in the city. The plan preserves city ownership of North Park Village, but prescribes protection of open spaces.
1983
Community outcry against possible future development persuades Mayor Harold Washington to agree to preserve open land. Oversight of North Park Village moves from Planning Department to City of Chicago General Services. Health Center closes. H Building dedicated.
1989
Partnership between community organizations and Openlands proposes conservation easement to prohibit development in North Park Village for 75 years and urges approval by Mayor Eugene Sawyer. The result grants management of North Park Villages’ 103 acres and buildings to Openlands and sale of 12.5 acres in the southwest corner for development of residential condos, the real estate taxes of which will help support North Park Village.
1990
A community protest halts establishment of city parking ticket payment facility in North Park Village.
1991
A gymnastics center opens in former auditorium building.
1993
Prete Building opens. 40-unit Conservancy Condo complex at North Park Village’s southwest corner completed.
2004
North Park Village officially becomes part of Chicago Park District.
2007
Marx Building opens
2017
Installation of new driveway in protected area leads North Park Village to formalize goal of making easement permanent to prohibit any future development.
2019
Without community or North Park Village Advisory Council input, Alderman Marge Laurino creates alderman-led commission to plan, supervise and coordinate programs and projects at North Park Village. North Park Village Advisory Council vehemently objects to establishment of this commission and unanimously votes to reverse the Alderman’s ordinance. (This commission exists in statute but has no funding, staff, or appointed commissioners.)
2020
After years of community action to secure enforcement of the conservation easement in perpetuity, the North Park Village Advisory Council and members of the community persuade Alderman Sam Nugent (current) to amend the easement ensuring permanent protection from development. The Chicago City Council passed this action in 2020.
“The community prevailed because they persevered.”
Easement Details:
The North Park Village conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between landowner (Chicago) and land trust or govt. agency (Openlands); limits use of land to protect its conservation value; preserve natural and scenic open space for future generations. North Park Village is the city’s largest natural area on the north side,
North Park Village is comprised of:
7 zones (management areas)
- Nature Preserve – 46 acres – trails, woodlands, savanna, prairie, wetlands
- Peterson Park – 23 acres – playground, soccer & baseball fields, tennis courts, fieldhouse
- Rock Garden – 3.4 acres
- Nature Study Area – 12 acres – Walking Stick Woods
- Community Gardens – 3.2 acres
- General Open Space – 12.4 acres
- Cultural Public Space – 10.3 acres
Other Zones
- Housing and Urban Development Senate building, Prete building, Marx, H Building
- Chicago Public Schools Northside Learning Center
- North Park Village Admin Zone
- Fire Dept., Chicago Transit Authority Turnaround
- Fitzgerald building
This history is a testament to the power of partnership, power of the people in protest, possibilities, and perseverance.
Remembering our Past, Living in the Present, and Building for the Future
My North Park Village Experience
We would love to add your own North Park Village experiences in the form of stories and pictures to our page. Would you be so kind and share them with us so your story becomes part of the North Park Village story. Please email them to: NPVBuildingForTheFuture@northrivercommission.org
