RAVENSWOOD — Wowed by the energy surrounding its new home in Ravenswood, the French school Lycee Francais de Chicago is proposing a community 5K and picnic as a way to share its culture and give back to the neighborhood.
"There's a great spirit, we really want to be part of that," Philippe Audasso, the school's athletic director, said Monday night at a community held to discuss the proposed 5K, dubbed the "Oui Run."
"We receive a lot from Chicago and American culture," Audasso said. "We feel we can do more. We want to give more."
More street closures? More parking restrictions?
No thanks, said neighbor Henry Pollack, a 22-year resident.
Between the Ravenswood Run, Maifest, German-American Fest, Welles Park Craft Beer Fest, Apple Fest and Square Roots, Pollack has had enough.
"Maifest was a nightmare. I'm about to leave Lincoln Square because of all these fests," said Pollack, who lives on Hamilton between Wilson and Lawrence.
"Every festival, the traffic comes off of Lincoln right into my neighborhood," he said.
Special events wreak parking havoc, neighbors said. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]
With the loss of parking spots under the Brown Line — now rented by CTA and SP+ Parking — Pollack said, "Everyone is vying for less space," which fests only exacerbate.
At times, he said, he's had to park a mile away from his home during special events.
"Our goal is not to bother anyone," Audasso responded.
Plans for the 5K, proposed for 8 a.m. on Sept. 25, have been designed to create as little chaos within the neighborhood as possible, he said.
The race will be routed largely along major arteries — Wilson, Lincoln, Lawrence, Montrose, Ravenswood and Sunnyside — to keep runners off side streets, and separate races for children will be confined to Lycee's campus at 1929 W. Wilson Ave., Audasso said.
The school will also offer 100 private parking spaces on Lycee's campus for free to residents in the race's footprint.
"We try to make everything easier for everybody," said Audasso.
Lakeshore Athletic Services is on board to manage the run's logistics and Lycee parent Bridget Montgomery, who's handled communications for the Chicago Marathon, is offering her expertise as well.
Lycee anticipates first-year participation of approximately 500 runners — well below the 2,500+ who register for the Ravenswood Run.
Cost will be in the $30 range, Audasso said, and when participants sign up online, they will have the option of adding a donation to a local charity.
"This is not a fundraising event for the school," he said.
Neighbor Tim Henney, himself a long-time organizer of the Proud to Run 5K and 10K races, chimed in with support for the Oui Run.
"It looks very organized," Henney said. "You have all the bases covered."
Providing a counterpoint to Pollack's concerns, neighbor Mike Harwood said fests and events like the 5K — and the liveliness they bring — are precisely what "makes us have such a great community."
"I think it's worth it," added Chiara Chung, who lives a half-block from the school.
"I can't wait," said Chung, who vowed to run the 5K with her young daughter. "It's a sacrifice but you get a lot back."
Ernie Constantine of the 47th Ward office said he would relay feedback to Ald. Ameya Pawar, who is expected to decide quickly on whether to give the Oui Run the go ahead or not.
Additional comments can be sent to Constantine at ernie@chicago47.org or to Lycee Francais at ouirun5k@lyceechicago.org.
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