Bike to Work Week Coming June 9-15
Active Transportation Alliance is once again supporting its annual Bike Commuter Challenge, and it’s just around the corner. For the third year the City of Blue Island will host a team, competing against neighboring municipalities to see who has the bikin’est employees around. Can you find your team?
Building on the fun of last year’s “bike away from work” history tour, Blue Island the Bike Commuter Challenge will offer another after work group bike ride. This year’s theme will be Hollywood in Blue Island, as we tour all the fabulous sites remembered from movies filmed in town. Relive the glitz and glamour!
Need help with your bike? Check out the BCC’s How-To guide. Need a tune up? Look for Cal-Sag Cycles popping up at farmers markets in Blue Island this summer. Drop ‘em a line on twitter @calsagcycles to learn when and where!
U-TOD Moving Forward
Blue Island’s long awaited Transit-Oriented Development zoning district continues to move toward adoption. On Monday, May 14 at 6pm the Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed Uptown-TOD (U-TOD) district. The meeting will be held at the City Hall East Annex, 2434 Vermont Street, Blue Island. The Blue Island City Council will hear the recommendation of the Zoning Board on Tuesday, May 22 at 7pm. This meeting is also held at the East Annex.
You can download the proposed zoning district ordinance, maps, and memos at http://www.blueisland.org/zoning
The U-TOD district has been proposed since the adoption of the Blue Island Plan for Economic Development (2005) and encompasses the South Station Residential District, Hospital District and Main Street Commercial Area, and the South Main Street Area as found in the Blue Island Plan, as well as the Olde Western Historic District. The new district comprises of areas zoned C-1 Central Area Commercial south of Union Street, including Olde Western; C-2 Highway Commercial parcels on Vermont Street between Irving and Division; and R-1 Single Family Residential parcels along Chicago Street and both west of Chatham and south of Vermont to the Cal-Sag and Division Street. Zones have been created within the U-TOD district to preserve Single Family Residential found in the current R-1 district.
Hidden Gems: Blue Island Community Gardens & Urban Agriculture
Blue Island has a rich and diverse heritage of agriculture and local food production, which is somewhat unique for an older, industrial community. Elements can still be found in many places around town, including our local community gardens. Visit the gardens below and discover 2 of Blue Island’s Hidden Gems. Sign up to garden or volunteer and honor this piece of our community’s cultural heritage.
CALIFORNIA GARDENS COMMUNITY GARDEN (CG2)
CG2 is located in the at the SE Corner of 141st/Francisco – next to the Tommy A. Brown Sports Association (2805 141st St, Blue Island, IL 60406).
Plots: The garden consists of 24 plots, of the following sizes:
# Size Cost for 2012
(12) 4’x10’ raised bed plots $10
(8) 4’x8’ Accessible/Senior raised beds $10
(4) 10’x10’ plots $25
(4) 10’x10’ food pantry/community plots Volunteers needed
**Local girl scouts will be tending 2 food pantry plots as a part of their 100 yr anniversary service**
MEMORIAL PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Blue Island Park District invites you to join the Memorial Park Community Garden (MPCG), located behind the Memorial Park Pool at 12801 S. Highland. The MPCG is a great place to experiment with new herbs and vegetables and swap gardening advice with other gardeners. Members are welcome at weekly Weds night meetings that include many gardening related lessons. Only 22 plots are available, so contact the Blue Island Park District at 708.385.3304 and claim your plot today. $25 Registration Fee ($35 Non-Resident)
Volunteers Needed: CG2 Community Garden Build Days
BICDD and volunteer partners are finishing construction of California Gardens Community Garden (CG2) and looking for volunteers to help finish construction and installation of key infrastructure so that our gardeners can get started.
Garden Construction & Planting Dates
Location:SE Corner of 141st/Francisco – next to the Tommy A. Brown Sports Association (2805 141st St, Blue Island, IL 60406)
5/8: 9am Construction & Installation of Raised Beds
5/15: 9am Construction & Installation of Raised Beds
5/16: 6:30pm Planting Food Pantry Plots
5/22: 9am Construction & Installation of 10x10 plots, Shed & Canopy
Please contact Sandy at 708.979.2479 for more info or to volunteer. Or just show up at one of the above build dates to help.
Fence Needed
We’re also desperately in need of a fence and looking for donations.
California Gardens Community Garden
The California Gardens Community Garden (CG2) was started in 2011, through the Cook County CPPW Model Communities program. Our premiere growing season begins 2012. A whole-hearted thanks to all who helped create this garden, especially the local businesses and residents who donated service, time and muscle.
Discover Blue Island’s Hidden Gems This May!
May is National Preservation Month and this year’s theme is “Discover America’s Hidden Gems.” Communities from coast to coast are filled with unexplored historic treasures—Blue Island is no exception.
This May, we welcome you to Discover Blue Island’s Hidden Gems and to learn more about local preservation programs. Explore new neighborhoods or blocks. Visit the Historical Society. Attend a Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Take a self-guided walking tour.
Check back regularly to learn about our hidden gems. If you have a hidden gem you’d like us to share, please email us.
Get Involved with Blue Island Waterways
Blue Island has grown up alongside important waterways, from the Little Calumet River and Stony Creek to a modern marvel like the Cal-Sag Channel. This May and June there are two opportunities to “give back” to our rivers and enjoy a favorite recreation destination.
On May 12, 2012, Blue Island residents and volunteers once again participate in the Friends of the Chicago River annual Chicago River Day. Each year the Friends target Stony Creek as it empties into the Cal-Sag Channel near the intersection of Ann and James Streets. Stony Creek is looking better than ever, so this year efforts will include the north canal bank east of Stony Creek. Volunteers will be asked to pick up trash and clear non-native brush. You can register online now.
On June 2, 2012, the Calumet Waterway Stewards, an organization born right here in Blue Island, hosts its inaugural Little Calumet River cleanup. Launching from Gouwens Park in South Holland, this on-water clean up will float downstream to Calumet Woods in Blue Island. For those wishing to help out on land, a park cleanup will be available at Calumet Woods. You can register now - everyone that registers is invited to stay the afternoon for fun, food, music, and a special Fay’s Point paddle tour!
Get to Know Your Urban Forestry Board this April!
Celebration Arbor Day 2012 (April 27) by getting to know and supporting the Blue Island’s Urban Forestry Board (UFB).
The UFB is a volunteer board who assists City Council and staff with forestry and landscaping issues in Blue Island. In addition to monthly meeting, members work hard on local tree related issues and activities - some of these efforts are visible, while many are behind the scenes. A short list of recent accomplishments include:
- Completed Tree City Application (2011)
- Blue Island Designated a Tree City (2011)
- Worked with Christy Webber on Western Ave Streetscaping (2011)
- Ash Tree Inventory (2011-2012)
- Awarded Emerald Ash Borer Grant (2012)
- Developing 2012 Summer Workplan
- Upcoming Summer 2012-Hosting 2 Saturday Work Days per month
- Maintaining plantings throughout the City (ongoing)
Blue Island’s UFB is looking for volunteers to help with 2012 work days. Upcoming dates include April 21 (planting), May 12 & 19 (Veterans Triangle), but help is needed through September. Please contact Perry Recker to sign up as a volunteer.
