When I first moved to Chicago in the mid-1980s to go to art school, the Maxwell Street Market was the premier destination every Sunday. It was an amazing scene -- blocks of housing had been razed but vendors would set up on all the streets to sell everything from auto parts to clothing, cameras to bicycles, books and tools and so much more. Blues musicians would jam on the corners, food vendors would set up grills and coffee, gadget hawkers would try to sell you the latest thingy that would make your life easier in a hundred different ways. And, in a quonset hut just down the street was Ken Dunn's Creative Reuse Warehouse. Filled with wire and paper and all sorts of raw materials. And cats, lots of cats. Fill a bag for $3. Teachers loved it.
Over time I learned about Ken's other passions -- recycling, urban agriculture, composting, organics, local food systems, sustainable 1-mile living and more, all growing under the umbrella of his nonprofit, The Resource Center.
Ken was everywhere -- pioneering major initiatives with a quiet, firm passion that has impacted and inspired many in Chicago for over 50 years.
City Farm was planted on Division Street in the middle of Cabrini-Green public housing. It provided the neighborhood with fresh organic produce, a green oasis, jobs and volunteer opportunities. And the fancy restaurants downtown like Frontera got amazing organic produce.
The Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium were among the many clients of Ken's recycling business, which for years was the only avenue in Chicago to recycle basic materials like paper, aluminium and glass. He maintained the recycling dropoff center in North Park Village for years.
Ken picked up food waste from college dorms, restaurants and convention centers, and horse manure from the carriage and mounted police stables. He created a composting facility that made fabulous loam that he trucked to community gardens throughout Chicago. You knew it was Ken's compost because sometimes there'd be a bone or bottle cap or wrapper -- and that was okay! Just take it out and keep gardening.
A philosopher who walked the walk, Ken patiently, consistently worked to create a world that would accomplish the good, the true and the beautiful. Despite the Sisyphean nature of his quest, he always had a smile and a twinkle in his eye as he patiently explained how our waste, our population, our excess impacted the planet and all its life forms - including our own quality of life - unless carefully tended. He believed that we were stewards of the planet and of each other, and saw beauty everywhere -- in dirt, in vacant lots, in neglected people, in our garbage as well as in exquisite tomatoes and compost. Ken combined deep scientific knowledge with straightforward practicality and reciprocity and inspired generations of students, farmers, gardeners, artists, urban planners, chefs, including me. The Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange was inspired by Ken Dunn, who looked at the city, its waste and vacant land, and saw opportunity for a better world for everyone.
Ken Dunn died last month, at the ripe old age of 82.
We owe him so much. The least we can do is carry on. Thank you, Ken.
Videos:
Why we should be urban farming -- The Good Stuff
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