About the Ward  > Libraries, Parks and Schools

An unprecedented number of award-winning libraries, parks, and schools offer numerous resources for 36th Ward families.  To locate your local facility, visit Ward Resources and click on Directory. 

Enhancing Library Facilities

Three libraries, Galewood-Montclare, West Addison and West Belmont Library Branches provide continuing educational opportunities to the entire community.  Most Wards in the City of Chicago have only one library.  The 36th Ward is very fortunate to have three within its boundaries!

Alderman Banks is working with Mayor Daley and the City's Budget Office to secure funding to expand and remodel the West Addison Branch Library and improve library services throughout the Ward. Read latest update on new library.

www.chipublib.org

*  Read letter from Maria Hayley, Branch Manager of the Galewood-Montclare Branch thanking Ald. Banks for his support of the summer reading program (8/25/06).
*  Read letter to Ald. Banks from Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey about status of West Addision Expansion Funding (6/12/06).
*  Read letter from Chicago Public Library North District Chief, Paula W. Saitis (2/21/06).

Award Winning Schools

Three of the top ten ranking elementary schools in the state - Josephine C. Locke Elementary School, Canty Elementary School and Dever Elementary School - are located within the 36th Ward.  

www.cps.k12.il.us

Improving Community Parks

Five community parks round out the area's offerings, providing a wide variety of recreational and educational opportunities through the Chicago Park District and Alderman Banks' own 36th Ward Youth Foundation which sponsors and funds thousands of children's programs every year.

www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Hiawatha Park Schedule

2006 Sayre Park and Bell Park Youth Baseball

Ongoing improvements to libraries and parks include:

• 36th Ward Youth Foundation Created by Alderman Banks, the 36th Ward Youth Foundation provides more than $50,000 a year in funding for programs aimed at youth including essay contests in all 36th Ward grammar schools and sports programs in community parks.
  
  
• Park Improvements Nearly $170,000 in improvements have been made to Amundsen and Riis Parks.
  
  
• New Play Lot Construction New children's play areas have been built at Riis, Bell and Sayre Parks.
  
  
• New Bird Sanctuary at Sayre Park The 36th Ward office was instrumental in the establishment of a new bird sanctuary at Sayre Park.
  
  
• Enhanced Library Facilities Alderman Banks is working diligently with the Mayor and the City's Budget Office to secure funding to expand and remodel the West Addison Branch Library.