Students, faculty, and staff of the University of Chicago on Oct. 20 united to clean up swathes of Jackson Park, the 552-acre park in the Woodlawn community east of campus that is home to the Wooded Island, Japanese Garden, and 63rd St. Beach.
An enthusiastic contingent of College students from East and West Woodlawn Residential Commons grabbed tools, pickers, bags, and gloves from Chicago Park District Services and set to work clearing parklands near the playing fields.
They were led by Residential Head Pedro Juarez Wren and Residential Assistant Noah Vetter of Baker House, as well as the Resident Deans of Woodlawn, Thomas and Clara Christensen. Afterwards, they shared a meal on 57th Street.
In his thank you email to participants, Prof. Thomas Christensen wrote, “Hopefully it is the launch of further and larger such efforts to come serving the city as well as helping the environment.”
Paul Salach, MBA ’25, of the Booth Sustainability Club led another group that picked up litter along Stony Island Ave., the Jackson Park Fieldhouse, and its adjacent interiors. Their club plans to make clean-ups a regular activity for Chicago Booth students.
“It helped that it was a gorgeous autumn day,” said Maureen McMahon of the Office of Sustainability. “Acting as stewards of greenspaces in the local community is a great way to enact the UChicago Sustainability Plan, as well as connect with nature and other like-minded members of campus. I look forward to hosting more events like this throughout the year.”