HOW YOU CAN HELP NAME CHICAGO'S NEWEST PARK FOR FRED ANDERSON

Please write a personal letter to the Chicago Park District to lend your support to the effort to name the new park at Wabash Avenue and 16th Street for Fred Anderson. Please address your letter to the Chicago Park District as follows:

Mr. Tim Mitchell
Superintendent and CEO
Chicago Park District
541 N. Fairbanks Court, Floor # 7
Chicago, IL 60611-3626

Ms. Gia Biagi
Director of Planning and Development
Chicago Park District
541 N. Fairbanks Court, Floor # 5
Chicago, IL 60611-3626

Please copy the alderman on your letters.

Honorable Robert W. Fioretti
Alderman, 2nd Ward
City of Chicago City Council
121 N. LaSalle St., 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60602

###

'FRED ANDERSON PARK' EFFORT UNDERWAY IN CHICAGO

CHICAGO – Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) announed his recommendation that the city’s newest park be named for Chicago creative musician Fred Anderson. Fioretti made his request to the Chicago Park District public during a special concert recognizing Anderson’s birth date (March 22, 1929) at The Jazz Showcase, 600 S. Dearborn St.

To be built near the intersection of Wabash Avenue and 16th Street, this new urban greenspace will feature the latest in dog-friendly designs in 60 percent of its area, and a people-centric green oasis in 40 percent of its area. This park is one of several city parks that Fioretti has worked with the Chicago Park District and 2nd Wardresidents to renovate or build anew. Friends of the Parks has recognized the alderman for his park advocacy.

Fioretti said he is suggesting the park be named for Anderson because of the unassuming yet highly principled example that he set for generations of musicians and entertainment business leaders. Anderson’s “Velvet Lounge,” now closed, was a beacon of hospitality in the South Loop from 1982 until his passing last year. Fioretti said Anderson was known as an ambassador of goodwill for Chicago who traveled widely to spread the unique sound of creative music from our schools, parks, clubs and concert halls.

“Fred Anderson’s example begins with him being a good father and husband,” Fioretti said. “He worked many jobs to pay the bills and perfected his unique method of playing music as he matured as a person and as a leader of a diverse family of musicians and fans.

“He brought people from around the city and around the world to the South Loop almost 30 years ago,” Fioretti added. “He studied music and practiced his tenor saxophone every day before doing his chores as a club owner with tireless devotion. People who sought his counsel heard in him the same soulful truths they heard him play through his music in clubs, jazz festivals and during special concerts at Millennium Park. We hope that people will continue to learn from his example and enjoy both the fun and respite that this park will provide for generations to come. We can all learn something from Fred’s example.”

Anderson, who died last year at age 81, has been cited as a major figure in American jazz. He was born in Monroe, Louisiana, and was brought by his mother to the Chicago area at a young age. He published “Exercises for the Creative Musician,” recorded more than 30 albums and traveled throughout the U.S. and to Austria, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland to play for capacity crowds.