Douglass 18 Mini-Golf Course

Project Overview

“Douglass 18” is a teen-led initiative to restore the miniature golf course inside of Douglas Park with sculptural ‘obstacles’ based on avian life and ecological stewardship. Led by artist Haman Cross and Eric Hotchkiss with support from David Brown, UIC, Firehouse, Lincoln Park Zoo, Open Architecture Chicago, and Chicago Park District’s Re:Center initiative alongside Douglas Park staff, this program has grown to include a wide array of institutional partners and neighborhood leaders. It has been fully embraced by the Chicago Park District, which has facilitated the remediation of the neglected grounds of the miniature golf course just South of Douglass Park Cultural Center. Douglass 18 takes its main inspiration from the many species of birds that make their yearly homes inside Douglass Park. To this date, Douglass 18 has garnered up to $800,000 in support and is slated to be completed in the Summer of 2020.

Chicago Park District

Douglass 18 began as a concept by Haman Cross and was quickly supported by Chicago Park District’s Re:Center initiative, most directly through Cultural Liaison Latham Zearfoss and Cultural Partnerships team member Nikki Jolly. Throughout the process, Zearfoss and Jolly, with support from Arts and Culture Manager Meida McNeal, have helped the community and partners successfully navigate Chicago Park District protocols for safety and inclusion. Douglas Park supervisor Angela Sallis has been on board since the beginning as well. As a partner in this project, Chicago Park District has provided space for the teens and teaching artists to hold their classes, conduct their research, and build and exhibit their sculptural projects. Chicago Park District is now taking the lead in the remediation project, with generous support from the Trust for Public Land, LL Bean, and Alderman Michael Scott.

Phase 1: Community awareness and education May-August 2018 

Phase 1 lead instruction was by Eric Hotchkiss and Ife Williams of Douglas 18 laid foundational community conservation and wildlife knowledge by Lincoln Park Zoo and provide experiences to young adult/teen participants from North Lawndale. Providing experiences and foundational knowledge allowed young people to be exposed and introduced to these concepts and opportunities.

In addition to creating pop-up murals; three prototypes of mini-golf course holes were created and used to talk with the community about the program and demonstrate examples to partners which include the Chicago Park District. These prototypes were used at three community Pop Up events where again, the greater community was engaged in activities related to birds and engaged in conversation about the mini-golf course, the program, and wildlife in their community. Information collected at these pop-up events was used to inform the revitalization of the miniature golf course during the research and design phase. 

Phase 2: Research and Design 

Phase 2 of Douglass 18 built on the foundational knowledge and community awareness established in phase 1 with a smaller group of young people involved in phase 1, approximately 7-10 youth. Instructed by Haman Cross and SAIC co-teachers, the youth worked twice per week learning about architecture design from architect partners from Open Architecture Chicago, UIC School of Architecture, and School of Arts Institute Chicago Homan Square. They created objects and prototyping. Youth will also research and learn about 18 specific bird species that they will be using as inspiration for each hole. Lincoln Park Zoo and teens will continue to participate in community pop-up events updating the community on the status of the program and educating the community about birds.

Phase 2B: Design & Prototype

Lincoln Park Zoo, Firehouse Community Arts Center, David Brown (UIC School of Architecture), Cory & Craig Stevenson (OACChicago), Eric Hotchkiss (teaching artist), and Haman Cross III (consultant). As collaborators, Lincoln Park Zoo (LPZ), and Firehouse Community Arts Center (Firehouse).

In Phase 2-B of Douglass 18, Lincoln Park Zoo offered stipends to 9 young people from the community who have participated in previous phases of Douglass 18 and who will complete community engagements popups, the designs of miniature golf holes under the guidance of Eric Hotchkiss and students from SAIC (“L”). Phase 2B of the Douglass 18 program will build on skills and knowledge from phase 1 and phase 2 to finalize and finish the design of all 18 mini-golf course holes. The final product included physical and virtual designs that, inspired by birds, include: obstacles, artistically built objects, and exact measurements.

Phase 3

Phase 3 of Douglass 18 focused on building the elements for the golf course and installing them on the course. Students refined prototypes of bird holes to prepare to turn over to Site Design (Cassandra Rice). Site design took student drawings and translated them into workable drawings and renderings to be fabricated.

Phase 4: Professional Development & Sustainability

Phase 4 instructed by Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Park District (Latham Zearfoss), Eric Hotchkiss, and Craig Stevenson included education on environmental branding & design, personal development, job readiness, and working with Sheila McNary a local vendor employing community members to run the golf course. Students also received additional feedback from having a popup at P11 Gallery in the loop.

Phase 4B: Professional Development & Sustainability

Phase 4 instructed by Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Park District (Latham Zearfoss), Shannon Waldron included education on social media branding & design, and working with Sheila McNary to increase visibility for the Douglass 18 Mini-Golf Course Grand Opening.