Undiscovered public places in Logan Square

What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland contest

The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), this year in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF), is once again entertaining entries in its What Makes Your Place Great? contest underway to uncover the undiscovered public places in Chicago.

What public space do you go back to again and again, and why? It could be your favorite secret garden, nestled in an empty lot in your neighborhood, or a beautiful courtyard invisible from the street. Maybe it’s a quiet reading nook at a local library, or a peaceful plaza that tends to be overlooked….

Contest submissions require a photograph or video.  Points for creativity, originality and “concept.”  Also required is a description that tells the story of the place — indoors, outdoors, just be sure it’s public, and undiscovered, however you may define that.

Is it somewhere you go to relax, meet up with friends, exercise?  What are some unique ways others use the space?  Think back to the first time you were in this space.  How did you find it?  Is it accessible via public transit?  Did you feel safe and comfortable?  What was it about the space that made you want to return?

See my suggestions for last year’s contest at Great places in Logan Square for more ideas on how to think about and describe your secret corner of Logan Square.

You may be torn.  Should I really reveal this undiscovered place?  Besides pride in Logan Square, besides passes to an architecture tour, a trip to the zoo, or to a Chicago museum, the winning undiscovered places will be incorporated into a CAF tour this fall.  That’s kind of cool.

The contest runs until late July, but, as you think of them, please share your great undiscovered places here.

Scene in Logan Square:

Tour de Fat:  the traveling bike festival kicks off in Chicago, Saturday, June 26, from 9:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Palmer Square; fill out the registration form in advance or register starting at
9:00 a.m. for the bike parade; new this year:  The Great Bike Story Contest!

After the Tour de Fat, ride on over to…

Summer Sessions on the Square:  first concert of the season, Saturday, June 26, from  5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Logan Square monument; bring a picnic, blanket, friends and neighbors; experience
Afro Zep, BOOM CRACK! Dance Company, Chicago Stone Lightning Band, and Kids Drum Camp; new this year:  after party at The Crown Tap Room , 2821 N. Milwaukee Ave. (entrance on Woodard St.).