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Read the press release here.

Riot Fest Vows To Clean Up Humboldt Park, Make It 'Chicago's Best'

By Darryl Holliday | September 17, 2014 1:38pm | Updated on September 17, 2014 1:39pm
 Riot Fest has passed once again leaving behind odors mentioned from the stage and damages still visible.
Riot Fest Damages
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HUMBOLDT PARK — Riot Fest organizers issued a statement Wednesday vowing to not only clean up the mud and trash-filled Humboldt Park, but make it better than before.

The three-day punk fest that brought an estimated 160,000 people to the neighborhood's namesake park over the weekend left the fields in bad shape, but crews have been working since Sunday night to clean it up.

Chicago Park District officials will walk through the park Thursday to fully assess damages, according to park district spokeswoman Jessica Maxey-Faulkner. Last year, it cost at least $54,300 to repair the park, but that was when the fest was a lot smaller.

Riot Fest Founder Michael Petryshyn issued a statement Wednesday to reassure residents that they plan to be good neighbors — especially since they live in the neighborhood themselves.

 Riot Fest drew record crowds to its 2014 festival in Humboldt Park.
Riot Fest drew record crowds to its 2014 festival in Humboldt Park.
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Facebook/ Riot Fest

"Because the Park is as important to me as it is to the City, we will make certain that the Park be restored as soon as possible," Petryshyn said in the statement. "Not only do we want the park restored, we want it improved. I have directed our staff to initiate meetings with the Park District on how we can partner with them to make permanent infrastructure improvements over the coming months. We want to improve the Park, because we want to make it the permanent home of Riot Fest. We don’t take our commitment to the community and the park for granted."

Riot Fest spokeswoman Heather West said via email that the festival made a deal with the Park District "similar to the agreement Lollapalooza organizers have for Grant Park," to get things back to normal as soon as possible after the Cure wrapped up its set Sunday night.

Though some residents complained about the park's conditions Monday and Tuesday, others thought the "kick a-- party" was worth the mess as long as it gets cleaned up.

On its always-sassy Twitter page, Riot Fest addressed some complainers Wednesday:

"We're always working to make things better and more fan friendly, but damn some of you people really like to whine a lot."

Read Petryshyn's full statement here:

"Riot Fest is grateful to the City of Chicago and specifically the residents and businesses of Humboldt Park. The Park is really the star of Riot Fest, and we know it is the key reason why it makes the community one of the best in the City. And, I speak from experience, I live just steps away from the Park, and enjoy it almost daily.
 
Because the Park is as important to me as it is to the City, we will make certain that the Park be restored as soon as possible.  Indeed, not only do we want the park restored, we want it improved.  I have directed our staff to initiate meetings with the Park District on how we can partner with them to make permanent infrastructure improvements over the coming months.  We want to improve the Park, because we want to make it the permanent home of Riot Fest.  We don’t take our commitment to the community and the park for granted.
 
If Riot Fest, alongside the Chicago Park District, can rehabilitate the park to the needed standards (beyond reseeding and aeration), the entirety of the 26th and surrounding wards -- it's residents and businesses -- only stand to benefit.  And, that's what we want.  Make no doubt about it: as a resident of Humboldt Park, I want to be the leader in making Humboldt Park Chicago's best and most modern natural resource. And, I know I can."

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