Chicago museum prompts lakefront uproar
Published: May 10, 2008 at 3:58 PM
CHICAGO, May 10 (UPI) -- The proposed creation of a museum in a downtown Chicago park would destroy the traditional natural environment of the city's lakefront, opponents say.
Moving the Chicago Children's Museum to Grant Park would disrupt the traditional pattern of trees and trails along the parts of the city near Lake Michigan, opponents told The New York Times.
Save Grant Park founder Peggy Figiel said current law states that the city's lakefront property is official public ground that should remain "forever open, clear and free."
"The law says no buildings in Grant Park," Figiel said. "It would be the catalyst for future development."
The president of the Children's Museum told the Times that under the proposed plan, the museum would not only honor local tradition but bring additional residents to visit the city's lakefront.
"Chicago has a long tradition of museums in the park," museum President Jennifer Farrington said. "Our mission is to bring kids from all over the city who would not otherwise see the lakefront."
Moving the Chicago Children's Museum to Grant Park would disrupt the traditional pattern of trees and trails along the parts of the city near Lake Michigan, opponents told The New York Times.
Save Grant Park founder Peggy Figiel said current law states that the city's lakefront property is official public ground that should remain "forever open, clear and free."
"The law says no buildings in Grant Park," Figiel said. "It would be the catalyst for future development."
The president of the Children's Museum told the Times that under the proposed plan, the museum would not only honor local tradition but bring additional residents to visit the city's lakefront.
"Chicago has a long tradition of museums in the park," museum President Jennifer Farrington said. "Our mission is to bring kids from all over the city who would not otherwise see the lakefront."
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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