2009 Contest Information
Great places define our lives. They inspire us, relax us, encourage us to sit and talk awhile with our neighbors. From plazas to beaches, street corners to playgrounds, Chicagoland is a patchwork of thousands of great neighborhood places.
From June 3 to July 27, 2009, dozens of people entered the “What Makes Your Place Great?” contest by sending MPC original photographs or videos of their favorite public space in Chicagoland. Placemaking Chicago’s Review Panel then selected Photo Finalists and Video Finalists to move onto the final judging.
Congratulations to the four winners of the "What Makes Your Place Great?" contest!
From Aug. 10 through Sept. 14, 2009, more than 8,000 individual votes were registered on this site, which selected the following "People's Choice" photo and video winners:
Photo:Phillips Park, Aurora, Ill.
Submitted by Amy Roth
“Phillips Park is a peaceful yet lively place that has been inspiring memories for more than 100 years. It is always filled with activity – a bride and groom taking wedding pictures; a mother reading to her child; an older couple strolling and commenting on the flowers. I have been frequenting the park for almost 25 years, and I cherish the memories of watching my daughters grow up there.”
Video:The Shops of Long Grove, Long Grove, Ill.
Submitted by Ami Shah
“The Shops of Long Grove provides a respite from today's fast-paced lifestyle. Locals and tourists alike who visit to enjoy a unique shopping experience also find storekeepers that say "welcome back" and "please visit again." A simple stroll along its cobblestone paths through its gardens and historic buildings or a visit to one of its family-oriented festivals also make Long Grove a special place not to be missed!”
A committee of experts in Placemaking selected the following "Grand Prize" photo and video winners:
Photo: Bush Community Garden of Hope, South Chicago, Chicago
Submitted by Sylvia Ortega
“The Bush Community Garden of Hope gives my community a sense of hope in a sometimes chaotic world. It is a safe haven for our children to play, a place where residents gather for special events, and where neighbors come to relax and share their love for gardening.
Video:Drake Garden, Albany Park, Chicago
Submitted by Kallan Benjamin, Mary Kay Freese, Jewel Otten
“Drake Garden is a social center for the neighborhood. It is a place where people leave behind the cement of their everyday lives to put their hands in the dirt and sit among the flowers. People come here because they know it is the best place to meet neighbors and friends, and to relax, quietly explore, or just enjoy the garden.”
Watch a fantastic, six-minute feature about the winners from Chicago Tonight.
This contest was generously sponsored by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and The Prince Charitable Trusts.
Thank you to the following for the generous donation of prizes:
The Guide to Neighborhood Placemaking in Chicago is generously supported by
