Not everybody loves our Chosen Few Picnic: this week's Hyde Park Herald

[fred da warrior]

Once the park got full, there was no way that the garbage could have been picked up to anyone's immediate satisfaction....so waiting until everybody left was to only move to be made.....what were they going to do, drive garbage trucks over kids and tents?.....that is why I asked AK when he announced the site, what were his anticipated expectations of the community response (and it was just what I anticipated as well)...but like he said, most of us live and work in Hyde Park too and we pay taxes like everyone else......all things being equal, the event was FLAWLESS....

I betcha those workers who made double time and a half Saturday night-all day Sunday picking up that trash weren't complaining.....shidddddd

[Kristel 75]

See this is what happens with gentrification. You have some snobs ready to complain about anything because "OH MY GAWD, I'M BEING INCONVENIENCE FOR ONE DAMN DAY!" And, they don't even see they're own bias. I bet if this was one of those square dancing or ballroom dancing outtings like at Summer Dance they wouldn't be complaining. Also, I bet if it were one of those Alternative Music Fests they wouldn't be complaining.

Just think about it. There is all kinds of foul stuff at those Cubs games from drunk fans and from those rock music festivals especially Blues Fest but you hear about nothing. And, when you go to those festivals, guess what? There are plenty of trash cans, restrooms you name it. While at the African Festival of the Arts, CF, Bud Billiken, you get the drift, there are a few trash cans and about 2 or 3 restrooms.

I bet if this was a rock festival these people wouldn't complain at all. Or, if they did, it wouldn't be reported.

[liL Ray]

See this is what happens with gentrification. You have some snobs ready to complain about anything because "OH MY GAWD, I'M BEING INCONVENIENCE FOR ONE DAMN DAY!" And, they don't even see they're own bias. I bet if this was one of those square dancing or ballroom dancing outtings like at Summer Dance they wouldn't be complaining. Also, I bet if it were one of those Alternative Music Fests they wouldn't be complaining.

Just think about it. There is all kinds of foul stuff at those Cubs games from drunk fans and from those rock music festivals especially Blues Fest but you hear about nothing. And, when you go to those festivals, guess what? There are plenty of trash cans, restrooms you name it. While at the African Festival of the Arts, CF, Bud Billiken, you get the drift, there are a few trash cans and about 2 or 3 restrooms.

I bet if this was a rock festival these people wouldn't complain at all. Or, if they did, it wouldn't be reported.

this should be put in a letter and sent to the editor..

[Discogoddess]

Even though I know that there will always be complainers--even with peaceful, officially sanctioned events like this one--I definitely think ensuring a successful event is a two-way street. It shouldn't all be on the organizers. Those of us who love the picnic can be better stewards to lessen the mess (garbage, traffic), make sure folks aren't peeing where they shouldn't and so on. Perhaps there could be volunteer corps putting out flyers ahead of time so that neighbors are aware of the event (if that's called for), working garbage detail during the picnic and self-policing other stuff. Just some thoughts.

[Kamiwa]

Letters in support of the CFP are def in order.

[Kristel 75]

Most definitely will send a letter.

[JMJ]

I find it funny (and sad) that all of a sudden there's so much concern from "concerned neighbors" over an event at 60th & Stony, much less to bitch about it in the local Hyde Park paper.

When did Hyde Park start claiming 60th & Stony as part of Hyde Park anyways? Always appeared to me that they never gave two shits about anything on the "other side" of the viaduct.

It's bigoted bullshit at the very least.......JMJ

[fred da warrior]

I find it funny (and sad) that all of a sudden there's so much concern from "concerned neighbors" over an event at 60th & Stony, much less to bitch about it in the local Hyde Park paper.

When did Hyde Park start claiming 60th & Stony as part of Hyde Park anyways? Always appeared to me that they never gave two shits about anything on the "other side" of the viaduct.

It's bigoted bullshit at the very least.......JMJ

Must be the same "Friends of the Park" that are bitching about the Olympics coming to Washington Park's lagoon........

[Chuck P]

only because it's us is there a problem, the city has tons of these type picnic/festivals......

[djmarbll]

They need to put it back behind the Museum, unless they use Jackson Park instead.

[ngeso]

I imagine the music at full tit all day must have been a pain in the ass for some residents.


On a more serious note: instead of getting all cheesed off about criticisms of the picnic, the community should perhaps take neighbour concerns into account and reach out more.

Because these people CAN shut you down. 8000 people producing garbage, listening to unnerving boom-boom-boom and trying to shit in peoples front yards is not an image flattering the attendees. It means they could see themselves politically, economically and culturally weightless if push comes to shove.

For next year, come up with a plan to go to these people and win them for your ideas and your culture.

[MusicFilter]

I've been to many festivals in the city and it has been no different except that it seems as though there were many more garbage cans. This event was far different than the ones I've been to though in terms of the amount of tents.

Bottom line is we learn more from each experience and next year it shouldn't be this bad.

[fred da warrior]

I don't know what more Alan and CF can do other than have the necessary permits, accomodations and the backing of the local politicans.....there was a CONSTANT police presence, with NO reported incidents, and the park was clean within 24 hours......the CF can't control ignorant people pissing in the back yard short of lining the streets with port-o-potties, and they can't (unfortunately) stop people from double parking......for the past 10 years (at least), Kim spends the majority of the afternoon losing her voice on the mike pleading for cats not to double park, with the police right behind her threatening to shut the party down, and they haven't yet, so.....

I mean, you can't win with some people.....we always talk about "getting our own" and when we do just that, that isn't good enough for "our own" either

[ngeso]

Some ideas:

- fence in the venue and offer dedicated, manned entrance/exit points
- engage professional security services to monitor venue boundaries
- rent restroom trailers with attendants for comfort
- command a waste management surcharge from stall vendors (in fact, make them pay fees in general for the opportunity to conduct business on your grounds and with your patrons, while introducing those items that usually end up as rubbish on the ground)
- contract or set up a facility service detail
- contract car parks in the vicinity; hire parking attendants, charge for the parking
- look into public transport benefits for ticket holders (i.e. enjoy free transport on the MTA net on production of an event ticket)
- publicize an intent or mission or higher order purpose; have an advance liaison detail meet the neighbours, disseminate information on permits and licences, and dissipate scepticism
- get some sort of charity/community service thing going that generates an added interest in the neighbouring communiuties
- just plain involve the neighbouring communities; they regard the park as their park - see to it that they regard your event as their event
- stay absolutely legal

and, finally

- charge enough at the gate to cover all of this.


I don't know whether any or all of these were implemented, but these are festival promotion basics. When thousands of people congregate in a public recreational space, the responsibilities towards, and the conditions of, the general public have to be taken into account and met adequately. This should not be a cause of surprise.

[kaaos]

There were people from Japan there? wow

[Big Ken]

[QUOTE=ngeso;474824]Some ideas:

- fence in the venue and offer dedicated, manned entrance/exit points
- engage professional security services to monitor venue boundaries


and, finally

- charge enough at the gate to cover all of this.


That is not what TCF picnic is about. Bad Idea Bro!!!

[Vince Mc]

That is a lot of trash. I'll volunteer for the clean up crew next year, cause i never go out after the picnic is over. i'll even volunteer to organize it. trying to put together a letter to the HPH right now. If anyone else is writing take notice on how the woman with the Italian surname points out that she is a "shareholder" in her building. So what, I'm sure there were residents of the area that pay a lot in RENT that were a little pissed off too. Besides, we all pay for the upkeep and use of the parks thru property taxes. Let me get back to my letter to the HPH........... but before I do, that article reminds me of when the Trib writes "Bush has a 47% approval rating" insted of writing "At least 53% of Americans hate this prick"

[djmarbll]

Agreed. Also, I think that residents of the area DEFINITELY should weigh in with their positive comments. The paper gives a lot of weight to residents of the area.

That paper gives MOST of its weight to the residents of the area. But it is a neighborhood paper, so I'd expect that. After reading the article, I definitely think that there should be more port-o-potties available and a clean-up crew. I know it seems like a lot of people hours and more work and equipment, but the Chosen Few gathering is reaching festival size proportions. I've been to several festivals this year (Camp Creek, Strange Creek, The Gathering, Gathering of the Vibes, Bonaroo) that had 3x as many people, twice as many port-o-potties, and less than half the trash. TCF is getting much more people and is gonna need to accomodate that size of a crowd now.

[ngeso]

What exactly is the logic behind professing an entitlement to use or abuse public space or property at personal discretion on account of paying taxes? This continues to be emphasized on this thread.

By that account everybody could hold a free-for-all with banging music and mountains of garbage in Hyde Park (or any other public space) 365 days a year, and - hey! - fuck the neighbours.

"I paid taxes," i.e. I practically own the park/bus/train, "so I'm allowed to trash it"?

[Kamiwa]

This statement in the article concerns me: "The Chicago Park District is aware that the event has outgrown its place on the Midway. Moving forward we would work closely with that group to determine the best location for the size of the crowd," said spokesperson for the Chicago Parks District...

So, there's been a determination that the CFP has outgrown the Midway ALREADY??? Wow! Community outreach needs to start NOW if the CFP will continue to be held on the Midway. I dunno...maybe a location such as the Forest Preserves will be less invasive to community residents.

[Big Ken]

We would have to be out of the Forest Preserves by dusk. That's too damn early!!!

[Kamiwa]

We would have to be out of the Forest Preserves by dusk. That's too damn early!!!

Really? I didn't know the amount of time permitted there. Oh well....

[fred da warrior]

Really? I didn't know the amount of time permitted there. Oh well....

And you can't have amplified music after 6pm.....

[DJJM3.COM]

They want us to run....TCF should stand their ground.... address the issues and move on....We are grown (the folks peeing should know this too)... you cant just complain and think we will go away.....Alderman Leslie has the events support so im sure they will come up with a solution to the garbage problem...

[Discogoddess]

...I mean, you can't win with some people.....we always talk about "getting our own" and when we do just that, that isn't good enough for "our own" either

Fred, would you explain this a little more? I'm not sure who you're referring to when you say "...that isn't good enough for 'our own' either".