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.
Alex Strand -Vice President
Alex and his girlfriend McKenzie live with their dog Billie Jean in the heart of Bucktown. The trio can be found strolling around the Park and Fieldhouse 2-3 times a day. Alex is often opinionated and frequently making suggestions aloud about improvements to the neighborhood, so McKenzie suggested he get more involved in his community. After he met Mike while purchasing some Holstein Park merch, he knew Friends of Holstein Park was the best team to be a part of! Alex works from home and runs his own business helping franchise brands and teams grow faster and more efficiently. He hopes to do his part to help the fundraising and development efforts for the PAC.
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.
Daniel Sandler- Ehrler Representative
Meet Dan – the laid-back maestro of making things happen. Dan lives in Bucktown with his Wife, two kids and their dog. For the past three years, you could find him in the heart of Ehrler Park, orchestrating a fundraising symphony and giving the park a complete makeover. Yep, he's the one who made that old place shine like new again!
When he's not busy turning parks into wonders, Dan's all about partnerships, alliances, and the fine art of SaaS product wizardry. He's got this super cool focus on channels, technical stuff, business growth, and strategy. But here's the secret sauce: he's all about putting customers and users in the spotlight. If there's one thing he believes in, it's making sure they're always front and center.
Dan's like a zen master of Agile methodology – it's all about keeping things aligned and transparent, no big fuss. He's been known to sprinkle a bit of that Agile magic all over the place at work and in his life.
So there you have it – the tale of Dan, the park-transforming, partnership-weaving, SaaS-slinging rockstar. He's the real deal, and he's all about making things happen in the most chilled-out, amazing way possible.