Heights Residents Clean Up for McEldowney Park's 100th Year

By 9 a.m., sounds of chainsaws could be heard along . Activities such as moving branches, planting trees and picking up trash along Thorn Creek kept volunteers busy throughout Saturday.

Transformation from a forgotten park, was getting a face-lift with help from Pete Petrouski, who wanted to do something for the park's 100th anniversary. Ward Four Ald. Joshua Deabel praised Petrouski for getting everyone there.

"This really came down to Pete Petrouski, who is on the Chicago Heights Historical committee," Deabel said. "This was his idea. He spoke to the Chicago Heights Park District and then organized this day. Look around, there is the , Chicago Heights Historic Preservation committee, the , volunteers from , Chicago Heights Rotary Club and Cook County SWAP, all volunteering." 

It's been a few years, but after several volunteers cleared brush and trash, Thorn Creek was visible. You can see the creek moving slowly surrounded by trees with changing leaf colors. A beautiful retaining wall enhanced the whole area. This was surely a diamond in the rough.  

A great great great nephew of Mary McEldowney, who the park is named after, was on hand to help clean the former family land.

"I'm here today for the cause," said Scott McEldowney. "This is a beautiful park. Other towns like Chicago Heights, they don't have a park like this. This park is under utilized. I would like to see a music festival or food festival, it's a perfect setting for that. It would also be a focal point to bring the community back together. I am a Homewood resident, but Chicago Heights will always be my home. This project has special meaning to me. The park needs to be taken off the shelf and dusted off. That's what were doing here today."

Mayor David Gonzalez worked most of the day pulling heavy branches from the side of Thorn Creek.

"This is a great turnout," said Gonzalez. "We didn't expect this many volunteers. I have to thank the historical committee, the beautification committee along with the park district. Today , tomorrow another community."

As Gonzalez looked around, volunteers of all ages, races and backgrounds were working together cleaning, planting and getting rid of garbage.

"We're going to be pro-active in restoring Chicago Heights," the mayor added. "Success will come with all these agencies working together. That's the beauty of it, when everyone comes together and works hard to beautify the whole city. I encourage residents and non-residents to get involved in the next clean-up."

For more information on future projects, call the at 708-756-5315 and ask for Cicely Barber or Lisa Aprati.