Grey Park in Evanston, Illinois is used primarily by mentally ill residents of a nearby facility, who make the space uncomfortable for the general public. A community group brought in food trucks, and everyone came together over cupcakes.
The Evanston Parks Coalition, the community group that through the event, saw it as a trial run for a permanent food vendor in the park, which they believe could activate the park:
"The event also allowed the group to test out the viability of a permanent food kiosk that they envision could function as a kind of management center for the park. The kiosk could give out games (like bocce or chess) and 'provide a sense of that the park is supervised which would alleviate unfounded fears neighbors have of the mentally ill.'"
An EPC leader explained that the kiosk could also provide employment for some of the facility residents.
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