David Bippes, a passionate community garden advocate and Eagle Scout, recently showed his parents a small plot of land in Englewood, hoping to demonstrate his latest community project. Bippes, a leader in the Litter Caterpillars, a Chicago cleanup group, helped transform a vacant lot into a neighborhood green space.

Last year, Bippes and three others acquired the 6,000-square-foot lot through a citywide auction. They named it Caterpillar Park, symbolizing the transformation they hoped to achieve. With volunteer efforts, they added garden beds for tomatoes and native plants like prairie grasses and coneflowers.

The park opened on April 12, but soon faced issues with illegal dumping. Piles of landscaping debris blocked access and undermined the group’s efforts. Bippes and co-founder Kevin Tao do not know who left the debris, complicating efforts to gain community trust.

“We’re trying to reduce litter, not increase litter,” Bippes said.

The park’s ownership is distant from Englewood, making community integration challenging. Bippes resides in Edgewater, requiring an hour’s commute to the park. The group visits every other Sunday, alternating cleanup efforts in other areas.

The land was purchased at a city auction for $10,000, with an equal amount invested in improvements. The auction included over 800 vacant parcels in Chicago’s South and West sides.

Tao, whose family roots in real estate through auctions, sees the lot as an opportunity for local rejuvenation. “Changing environments can change mindsets,” he expressed.

Community engagement has been a priority. The group started door-to-door visits and flyer distributions to connect with residents. Despite persistent dumping, they are determined to make the park a neighborhood asset.

Co-founder Dulce Morales of Cedillo’s Fresh Produce, an area urban farm, highlighted the need for regular upkeep to prevent neglect. Tao sought advice from Morales, aiming to develop community support similar to Cedillo’s garden.

Local resident Roosevelt Gordon expressed support, hoping the park would serve educational purposes for children and remain community-centered.

The dumping issue posed significant challenges, leading to multiple 311 requests and engagement with city departments. Ald. Stephanie Coleman did not respond to comments on the issue. The situation prompted social media appeals to address the problem.

“If I could have what I want, I would love to have a conversation with the people who did the dumping and see if Caterpillar Park’s mission is something they would like to join,” Bippes reflected.