ENGLEWOOD — The Metropolitan Planning Council is challenging several community groups, including two in Englewood and one in Grand Crossing, to utilize local space for one day as part of its "Placemaking Challenge."
I Grow Chicago and Fultonia in Englewood, and the Rebuild Foundation in Grand Crossing are among 18 participants in the first-time event, which runs from Aug. 15-17.
Planning council officials said each group will teach an old place new tricks by using a public area in their neighborhood for residents to enjoy. Four winners will be chosen to receive $1,000 to further their community efforts.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Groupon are sponsoring the event.
Winners will be chosen by a committee and from online voting by residents, said Kara Riggio, an associate with the planning council.
"We want participants to tell us about a hidden gem in their community," said Riggio. "For 10 years we have done similar events like this one, but this is the first time we are asking groups to activate a local space for residents."
She added that Groupon is accepting online donations on behalf of the 18 groups, which "would be really helpful to the groups that are participating."
Winners will be announced at a Sept. 25 awards ceremony at the planning council's South Loop office.
Eboni Hawkins, curator for Fultonia, said it plans to give away free health drinks from 6-10 p.m. on Aug. 15 at an Englewood lot, 1947 W. 63rd St., which is next to a vacant building that will be the future headquarters for the home-based arts group.
"I am working on having live music too, but there will be a variety of juices available to everyone," Hawkins said.
The other two local groups plan to use their community gardens to meet the planning council's challenge.
I Grow Chicago will host a free dinner from 4-6:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 at its farm at 6402 S. Honore St.
"There will be tables set up in the farm for people to eat, enjoy music and engage in conversations about improving Englewood," said Tameka Lawson, executive director of the organization. "What we want to do is get the community more involved in what we are trying to do, and that's bring peace to the neighborhood."
Instead of dinner at its Dorchester Community Garden, 6953 S. Dorchester Ave., the Rebuild Foundation will work with local residents to build an African Roundhouse, a picnic table and make signs for the garden from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Aug. 16.
"We have 60 different items grown in our garden. We have collard greens, corn, tomatoes, okra, blueberries, watermelons, you name it," said Lauren Williams, a project manager for the foundation. "The garden is open all day, and anyone who wants to come by and pick out what vegetables they want are free to do so anytime."
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