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Save Our Lakefront or Shit Outta Luck?

The Rogers Park Conservancy opposes any marina or harbor project in the Rogers Park or Edgewater communities. We also oppose any landfill or islands placed off the Rogers Park shoreline as well as any extension of Lake Shore Drive in the lake north of Hollywood Avenue.

We take these postions recognizing that many citizens in our community are of the same opinion. We verified this in the overwhelming support of the “Save Our Lakefront” referendum in last November’s election as well as at numerous community forums sponsored by the Conservancy.

However, as stewards of our precious open spaces and accessible lakefront here in the City of Chicago, we also must recognize the legacy of those who have preceded us and fought to maintain a lakefront that is “Open, Clear and Free”. The voices of Frederick Law Olmsted, Montgomery Ward and the others that helped plan this great city reverberate with us even today. We take a stand consistent with their legacy and instead of the harbor plan offered, recommend an alternative solution.

We ask that the Park District first consider expansion of Montrose Harbor to add additional boat slips on the north side and only if this is supported by evidence of demand for slips from residents living within this geographic area. We recommend expansion to the south of the current harbor and directly east of the Waveland golf course-shoreline and lakefront that is currently not being utilized by the general public. This will minimize, or eliminate, the need for adding roadways or additional parking and have zero impact on community access to our lakefront.