What we support
Our History
Holstein Park has been an active community gathering place in Bucktown since homes were built here in 1854. The area was named after laborers and craftsmen from Schleswig – Holstein, a region of Germany. The land was transferred to the West Chicago Park System in 1901. The historic field house, designed by Illinois State architect William Carbys Zimmerman, opened to the public in 1912, and was soon joined by the formal playing fields and a public pool. Holstein Park was incorporated into a unified Chicago Park District in 1934. When the nearby Logan School burned down, the adjoining property to the north was added and renamed Senior Citizens Memorial Park in 1979.
Our Parks
Friends of Holstein Park supports Holstein Park, Senior Citizens Memorial Park, and Ehrler (William) Park. Holstein Park sits on 3.25 acres. The fieldhouse is equipped with two gymnasiums, an assembly hall with stage, and clubrooms. Outside, the park offers a swimming pool with a wading pool and a playground with a spray water feature. There is also a baseball/softball diamond and a green open space. Senior Citizens Memorial Park is a shady 1.10-acre park located just north of Holstein Park. The park is perfect for picnics, community gatherings, and laying amongst the trees. Ehrler Park is located in two blocks south of Armitage Avenue, approximately 2 ½ blocks west of Damen Avenue. The park is 0.92 acres and it contains an updated playground as of 2023 and lots of greenspace for general play.
FOHP Board
Michael Barry - President
Mike and his wife Becky have been Bucktown residents since moving into the neighborhood in 2010. Mike became President of this organization in January 2022. Now raising a family of three active children, Mike and his family are frequently at the neighborhood parks and can often be seen (and heard) strolling around the neighborhood. Mike and Becky started the June Wacky Wednesday series and have been responsible for several other events including the Valentine's Day Candy Bingo and Cardboard Regatta and Pool Float Race. Their children are heavily involved in Holstein Park programs having participated in day camp, yoga, pickleball, dodgeball, basketball, and art classes. Professionally, Mike has been practicing as a trial attorney at Pretzel & Stouffer for 16 years defending physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals. Mike's interest in FOHP was spurred on by his desire to help create and organize events to bring this wonderful community together as well as a big push from his wife Becky to get involved. Mike's always open to a conversation, so please reach out to him.
Greg Walker - Vice President
From the western burbs, Greg has lived in Chicago for the past 17 years. After 11 years in Wicker Park, Greg and his family (wife Allana and son Noah) moved to Bucktown in 2020. Now a family of 4, with the addition of Wyatt in 2025, they are frequently seen at Holstein/Senior Citizens and FOHP events.
Jordon Novak - Secretary
Jordon is the resident shuffleboard guru.
Chelsea Heintschel - Treasurer
Chelsea has lived in various neighborhoods throughout Chicago since 2009, but in 2021, Chelsea and her husband, Ted, decided Bucktown was where they wanted to plant roots and raise their two children.
From park picnics and playground playdates to spending hot summer days at the pool - Holstein and Senior Citizens Park soon became a staple for their family. Chelsea was introduced to Friends of Holstein Park at a Wacky Wednesday event in June and felt this organization was a great way to give back to the neighborhood and bring the community together in various, meaningful ways.
Professionally, Chelsea is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Registered Investment Advisor, co-owner and managing partner of MPM Wealth Advisors. So, when Chelsea learned Friends of Holstein Park was looking for a Treasurer, she jumped on the opportunity.
She’s excited to explore ways to bring neighbors and local businesses together to celebrate our wonderful park and community.
Patty Conway - Volunteer Chair
Patty Conway is a Bucktown resident, wife and mother who lives on Oakley Avenue, the same street on which her great-grandmother once resided. She works as the Director of Communications for AIDS Foundation Chicago, and previously worked as a public library administrator in Richmond, Virginia, where she collaborated extensively with the parks department. She used to play drums and sing in various rock n' roll groups, and ran Girls Rock! RVA, an all-volunteer rock camp for girls, nonbinary and trans youth, for six years. After growing up in the Chicago area, she lived in New York City and Richmond, and is happy to have returned to Chicago in 2023.
Andrew & Mary Patton - Business Outreach Chair
Andrew and Mary Patton, along with their daughter Emmy and spicy wiener dog Frankie, can be found splashing in the Holstein Park pool, navigating the slides of the neighborhood's playgrounds, or eating at Bucktown's great restaurants. We joined Friends of Holstein Park in an effort to contribute to this great neighborhood and have some fun! Professionally, Andrew is a white collar attorney at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila and Mary has her own therapy practice, Patton Counseling PLLC.
Joanna Meagher - Fundraising Chair
Relocating from Sydney, Australia, Joanna has called Chicago home for over a decade and moved to Logan Square with her husband in 2022. Now a mother, Joanna frequents Holstein Park and Ehrler Park where her two boys continue to make friends and learn new skills.
With a professional background in Public Relations and Retail Client Events + Experiences, Joanna is excited to give back to the community who have supported and fulfilled her family by creating meaningful opportunities to come together and celebrate our local parks.
