Sheridan Park Protest

We, the residents and former residents of Taylor Street’s Little Italy, ask why a portion of “our” Sheridan Park was used to memorialize someone other than a resident of our community. What criteria was used to select an individual who was not born in our Little Italy, was not raised in this neighborhood, and neither had he made any contributions to the thousands of Italian-American immigrants and their offspring that had been served by Sheridan park.

An informal poll of the community shows that Mr. Phelan is most remembered for having built a magnificent home in our community a decade ago. We do not challenge whatever great deeds he may have accomplished and, if so, he should be honored for same. However, would it not be best that he be memorialized at the site(s) where he had accomplished those deeds and leave our historic sites reserved for those who had served us? 

A quick poll of the residents, not the newcomers, but the true residents (past and present) of Little Italy’s Sheridan Park, brings up a number of persons who are and were more deserving. 

Jim DiVito, director of the Park for decades. In any discussion that brings up Sheridan Park, Jim DiVito’s name is almost always mentioned…never has Mr. Phelan’s name ever, ever been mentioned

Buddy Patti, who replaced Jim DiVito upon retirement. Buddy served as the Park Director who presided over the transition of Sheridan Park from serving exclusively the original residents of “Little Italy” to serving the residents of the newly evolved community (still with its deep Italian American roots).