Riot Fest's Repairs To Douglas Park Could Exceed $100,000

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 15, 2015 3:40PM



Photo by Jessica Mlinaric / Chicagoist

Repairs to Douglas Park after its first year hosting Riot Fest could exceed $100,000 this year,

Ald. George Cardenas told the Tribune. Douglas Park falls within Cardenas' ward and Riot Fest is responsible for the repair bill.

Given the rain and resulting mud that covered most of the park for most of the weekend, this isn't surprising. When we spoke to Riot Fest spokesperson Chris Mather on Saturday morning she told us, “Riot Fest brought several tons of mulch in to address low areas that were impacted by rain. Also the landscaper is on site already making preparations for grass repairs on Monday so there is no wait time after festival ends.“

Cardenas also told The Tribune the southern portion of Douglas Park should reopen "within days, but then certain areas will be closed off" since they will require additional repair. He also expects extensive re-sodding in the areas that held the festival stages since the damage appears greatest there.

Riot Fest was forced out of its previous home in Humboldt Park amidst the claims of that area's Alderman Roberto Maldonado that the festival didn't repair the damage to the park, a claim Riot Fest organizers deny is true. When the Tribune asked Cardenas whether Riot Fest would be allowed to return to Douglas Park he replied, "I don't see why not. ... The music was phenomenal. Everybody behaved."

But Ald. Michael Scott Jr., whose ward includes another section Douglas Park, told the Tribune he wants to wait and see whether the park is restored to pre-festival conditions before passing judgement on Riot Fest's potential return.

"The verdict is still out on my end," he said.

With 45,00 attendees each day, Riot Fest is now the city's second largest musical festival, and its the largest that is wholly locally produced.

RELATED: You can read our coverage of the festival over last weekend—day one, day two, day three.