Friends of Downtown position

Earlier this year, representatives of Friends of Downtown, a community organization which calls itself "the voice for intelligent planning and urban design for downtown Chicago," met with representatives of the Chicago Children's Museum to review the Museum's proposed relocation to the site of the current Daley Bicentennial Plaza. After that review, Friends of Downtown stated their opposition in a letter dated March 6, 2006 and directed to Peter England of the Chicago Children's Museum. Alderman Natarus, Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell and others also received copies. The letter stated "we cannot support the museum’s proposed move into Grant Park."

The letter went on to say "The 150-year old covenant that created Grant Park – the one that Montgomery Ward fought three court battles to successfully protect – prescribed a park that is forever free, open and clear. Since its creation, many factions—always with the best of intentions--have tried to encroach on its footprint. Fortunately, most of those attempts have failed and today people celebrate Ward’s vision, wisdom and tenacity. " In short, the Friends of Downtown position is based on the status of Grant Park as a protected open space and the need to preserve green space in downtown Chicago.

For more information, contact the Friends of Downtown.

Friends of Downtown
PO Box 1635
Chicago 60690
Phone 312 458 9454

http://www.friendsofdowntown.org/