Declaration of December 16, 2017 as "Mary Hopkins Day" in Chicago
WHEREAS, After nineteen years of excellent service to the people of Chicago, Mary Hopkins will retire as supervisor of Loyola Park in the Rogers Park neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Mary Hopkins has been integral to making Loyola Park the keystone park facility in Rogers Park where people of all ages and walks of life meet, learn, play, rejuvenate, and build community; and
WHEREAS, As a long-time resident of Rogers Park, Mary contributed to the betterment of the community, including advocacy for better housing and making government more accountable to the people, as well as her work for Cook County Clerk David Orr's office; and
WHEREAS, outstanding among Mary's many good deeds are her years of dedicated service as caretaker and leader of this jewel of the community, Loyola Park; and
WHEREAS, She has been a tireless advocate of recreation for all ages, abilities and interests- supporting athletics, the arts, vocational skills, cultural understanding, and events that bring together people from every walk of life on our beautiful lakefront; and
WHEREAS, Loyola Park hosts the largest park-run basketball league in Chicago with over 250 youth participants, and annually puts on day camp, play camp, teen camp, special recreation camp and extended camp for more than 500 participants ages 3 to 16; and
WHEREAS, Her commitment to keep kids active has resulted in Loyola Park winning the Mayor's Cup for participation in Year Round Sports, as well as multiple finishes within the top three for this award; and
WHEREAS, With Mary's support, youth from Loyola Park's Boxing Program have participated in Chicago-wide Golden Gloves competitions, won the Girls Inner City Flag Football Citywide Title, and Loyola Special Olympics participants have competed in citywide, regional, and national events as well as the Special Olympics World Games; and
WHEREAS, Mary has been integral to holding Loyola Park's biggest annual event, the Artists of the Wall Festival, bringing together families and neighbors each Father's Day weekend for a celebration of creativity and community; and
WHEREAS, Mary exceeded expectations to the very end of her tenure, as she enrolled more than 1,300 participants in various park programs this most recent fall 2017 program session; and
WHEREAS, Mary will be enjoying a well-deserved retirement after nineteen years of dedicated service as supervisor of Loyola Park; and
WHEREAS, Mary Hopkins leadership of Loyola Park is the crowning achievement in a career spent in public service and advocacy for youth and families; and
WHEREAS, the park patrons of Loyola Park and the wider Rogers Park community are thankful for Mary's many years of service, and will miss her; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this thirteenth day of December 2017 C.E, do hereby recognize December 16, 2017 to be "Mary Hopkins Day" in Chicago in honor of her thoughtful leadership of Loyola Park and in the wider community; and