USTA Advocacy Case Study The United States Tennis Association and the Chicago Park District North Grant Park / Daley Bicentennial Renovation
The Challenge The Chicago Park District has proposed to revamp North Grant Park in downtown Chicago. The Park is currently home to 12 tennis courts at Daley Bicentennial Plaza. a The plan pa is to replace what had been a rigidly structured plaza, remove all of the tennis courts, and create a flowing space with diverse landscape thatt offers experiential range thatt can be used all four seasons.
North Grant Park / Daley Bicentennial Plaza Tennis Courts in Chicago as Presently Existing Peanut Park
The Vision for Renovated Grant Park
The Vision for Renovated Grant Park
Program Diagram for Renovated Grant Park
Site Pan for Renovated Grant Park Peanut Park
Existing and Proposed Program Comparison North Grant Park Peanut Park North Grant Park Peanut Park A Key Park District Goal: Attract more kids and their families to the Park and the area.
Proposed Passive Axis
Proposed Active Axis
Proposed Play Gardens
Proposed Picnic Gardens
Proposed Rock Climbing
Proposed Ice Skating Ribbon
Proposed Outdoor Cafe
Proposed Lawn Valley
Creating the Opportunity We requested and obtained a meeting with officials i of the Chicago Park District i t in order to express the USTA s concerns about removal of the courts, to discuss possible alternatives, and to share how the USTA could partner with the Park District on a broader basis throughout Chicago. Following are PDF s of the slides and videos presented at the meeting held on November 18, 2011, as well as a summary of the results of the meeting.
Partnering for Chicagoans The Chicago Park District and The United States Tennis Association ILLINOIS
Who We Are Suggested Agenda Why We Are Here Overview of USTA & Its Contributions How the USTA Can Help the Chicago Park How the USTA Can Help the Chicago Park District and Chicagoans
Who We Are Jon Vegosen Chairman of the Board & President, USTA (Volunteer Position) Founding Member of Funkhouser Vegosen Liebman & Dunn Ltd., a Chicago corporate and litigation law firm; Chicago resident Steven Butzlaff President of the USTA/Midwest Section (Volunteer Position) Senior Vice President, Northern Trust Bank Violet Clark Vice President of the USTA/Midwest Section (Volunteer Position) Partner with Chicago law firm Laner Muchin; Chicago resident
Why We Are Here Share concern re: proposed removal of all 12 tennis courts from Grant Park Understand the rationale for the proposed removal Share how USTA can help Explore possibilities at and beyond Grant Park
We are NOT here to request money... We are here to offer the USTA's resources and assets to support our common goals and explore a partnership with the Chicago Park District i t
Who is the USTA? Governing body of tennis in the U.S. 770,000+ members
What is the USTA s mission? To promote and develop the growth of tennis.
Owner of the US Open Highest Annual Attended Sporting Event in the World Serena Williams Jimmy Connors James Blake Kim Clijsters Rafael Nadal Maria Sharapova Venus Williams Arthur Ashe Roger Federer
2011 US Open Summary Video 120 Seconds
But we re so much more than the US Open.
The US Open grosses over $200M a year In 2011, the USTA will give back $50M+ to communities across the country
Every day, the USTA is making tennis make a difference.
Making Tennis Making Tennis Make A Difference
Making Tennis Making Tennis Make A Difference
Making Tennis Making Tennis Make A Difference
Making Tennis Making Tennis Make A Difference
Making Tennis Making Tennis Make A Difference
Making Tennis Making Tennis Make A Difference
Making Tennis Making Tennis Make A Difference
A Seamless Youth - Collegiate Continuum The USTA is committed to developing youth in terms of education, fitness, and tennis
USTA Serves The USTA s Charitable Arm President Mary Carillo Executive Director Deborah Larkin
USTA Serves Overview Video 60 Seconds
A Duh Realization: Kid-Size Tennis Make Tennis More Fun, Easier to Learn and More Accessible and Affordable
Fields Video 60 Seconds
Tennis for the Health of It According to the Cleveland eland Clinic, this country s #1 heart-care center rated by U.S. News & World Report: Tennis is an ideal sport for a healthy heart. Tennis is the perfect antidote for the obesity epidemic that is ravaging g this country.
The USTA Has Iconic Endorsers of 10 & Under Tennis Stefanie Graf, Andre Agassi, & Michele Obama
Obama, Agassi, and Graf Ball Person PSA 60 Seconds
Mrs. Obama s Comments at the 2011 US Open
Mrs. Obama Virtues of Tennis Video Footage from the 2011 US Open - 60 Seconds
Blended Lines First professional televised matches played on a court with blended lines: Agassi vs. Sampras and McEnroe vs. Lendl Blended Lines
Tennis Popularity Has Dramatically Risen: Traditional Sports Change from 2000 to 2010
Is our Strategy Working? Low compression, red, orange, & green ball sales are up 93% over last year
Is our Strategy Working? Over 4,000 pros/facilities offering 10 & Under programs By the end of 2011, the U.S. will have over yt ee do 0,t eus a eo e 3,000 36 /60 courts
The USTA Has A Rich Infrastructure a great array of delivery systems, programs, campaigns, and publications that t touch youth of all ages
School Tennis
Community Tennis Associations Junior Competition
Court and Facility Design The USTA has helped many organizations and communities conceive, plan, and design their tennis facilities through: Site Planning and Design Landscape Design Supplier Assistance Virgil Christian g Director, Community Tennis
Planning Facility Plan Regional competition Hard court dominant Clay court component Exhibition court Youth programming Available during inclement weather
Planning
Planning
Planning
Design
Design
Court Conversions Centennial Park, Nashville, TN
Court Conversions Centennial Park, Nashville, TN
Court Conversions Kiest Park, Dallas, TX
Court Conversions Kiest Park, Dallas, TX
Court Conversions Kiest Park, Dallas, TX
Court Conversions Kiest Park, Dallas, TX
How the USTA Can Help the Chicago Park District Position the Park District as a key community supporter of healthy activities iti & lifestyles l Bring 10 & Under tennis & traditional tennis courts to more Chicagoans Plan & design facilities & courts in Grant Park & beyond Provide grants for blended d lines in Grant Park & beyond Assist with programming Help bring tennis events to Chicago Help make the Chicago Park District as great as it can be for Chicagoans
Next Steps
Questions and Answers
Advocacy Case Study - Results of the Meeting Very positive. A win-win. The Chicago Park District expressed great interest in what the USTA is doing and in partnering with the USTA. The renovations at North Grant Park will likely proceed, but the Chicago Park District will likely build 8 new traditional tennis courts and 2 QuickStart courts at adjoining Peanut Park. One of the courts may be a show court with hills for seating. The Park District may also build three additional traditional courts in the neighborhood. The Park District is interested in having blended lines on traditional courts and learning about USTA and Section grants. The Park District would like assistance with court and park design. The Park District i is interested in USTA programming especially 10 & Under Tennis programming. Jon Vegosen has introduced key Chicago Park District officials to Virgil Christian and David Slade.
The Lesson Cooperative Advocacy Can Pay Off