Kenwood and Woodlawn
The southern and northern borders of Hyde Park have been debatable for a long time. Some believe that 47th Street is the northern border of Hyde Park and the southern border is 63rd Street, but based on the zip codes, Hyde Park is officially sectioned by 51st street on the north, Midway Plaisance on the south, the lake on the east, and Washington Park on the west. Many still refer to the southern part of Kenwood as Hyde Park and collectively classifies the area as Hyde Park-Kenwood. Though Kenwood and Hyde Park differ in racial and economic demographics, they both share a similar history and culture. There are many organizations that have been established to accommodate the two. One such organization is the Hyde Park- Kenwood Community Conference. Their goal is to “attend to the civic needs of the community; work toward an attractive, secure, diverse, and caring community; and to promote participation of residents, businesses, institutions, and organizations in programs and activities that advance the interests and concerns of the community” (Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference). Organizations like this one are necessary because they meet the ever changing needs of the community and also serve as a voice for its residents.
Another neighborhood that is in close proximity to Hyde Park is Woodlawn. Woodlawn is directly south of the university but is completely different from Hyde Park and Kenwood. It is a predominantly black neighborhood that “struggles with crime, abandoned buildings, and lack of retail” (The Atlantic). Woodlawn has the third highest rate of foreclosure auctions and the fifth- highest rate of long term vacancies in Chicago. ( Woodstock Institute). This dramatic difference is surprising because just a block or two away, there are new apartments being built. Woodlawn is not as economically successful as Hyde Park and frankly, does not reap many benefits of being closely located to the prestigious university. There are a few partnerships that have been established to help Hyde Park and Woodlawn support each other. One such organization is the University of Chicago's Employer-Assisted Housing Program. This program allows employees of the university to purchase homes in "Bronzeville, North Kenwood, Oakland, South Shore, Washington Park, Woodlawn, and Hyde Park/South Kenwood" (University of Chicago Civic Engagement). This could help decrease the number of vacant and foreclosed houses in Woodlawn and also serve as a close location for anyone who might decide to move from living within Hyde Park.
Contact Information
Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference
1525 E 53rd St #907, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 288-8343
University of Chicago's Employer-Assisted Housing Program
Human Resources
6054 S. Drexel Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773-702-9634
Fax: 773-834-0996
Email: [email protected]
Works Cited
Cholke, Sam. "There Is No Kenwood, Only Hyde Park, According to Many Hyde Parkers." DNAinfo Chicago. 28 Aug. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.
"Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference About Us." Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference. Web. 18 May 2016.
Semuels, Alana. "Should Urban Universities Help Their Neighbors?" The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 19 Jan. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.
"Office of Civic Engagement." Housing & Development. Web. 20 May 2016.