Englewood Park Faces Challenges From Repeated Illegal Dumping

Volunteers from Litter Caterpillars have transformed two vacant lots in Englewood into a small park called Caterpillar Park, at a cost of around $20,000 over one year. The park features raised garden beds, native prairie plants, and a brick path. However, the group has struggled with repeated illegal dumping since its opening in April.

The group's founders, including Kevin Tao, started as a Sunday cleanup crew that eventually expanded into full-scale park building. They noticed that much of the litter they collected kept accumulating in vacant lots across Chicago, leading them to purchase two adjacent lots at a citywide land auction for $10,000 and turn it into a green space.

The group has spent an additional $10,000 on improvements, including plants, mulch, and landscaping. Volunteers have used donated materials to create the park's features, and organizers are working with nearby residents and community leaders on programming for the site.