Promontory Point receives preliminary landmark recommendation! Thanks to the outpouring of support from all of you!
The Commission on Chicago Landmarks (CCL) voted unanimously to move forward with a Chicago landmark designation for Promontory Point at its meeting Thursday, January 12, 2023.
Thanks to your 600 letters, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks granted preliminary landmark recommendation for Promontory Point. Multiple commissioners, Alderman Hairston, Alderman Garza, Chicago parks historian Julia Bacharach, and other speakers mentioned the enthusiasm and passion for preservation that was evident in the hundreds of letters they received from Point lovers. You're the Point!
But we're not done yet! Next, the City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards will vote to recommend the designation to the full city council.
Read the letters of support from Point lovers here. Watch the unanimous vote conclusion here. Watch the full video of the entire meeting here.
Thanks to your 600 letters, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks granted preliminary landmark recommendation for Promontory Point. Multiple commissioners, Alderman Hairston, Alderman Garza, Chicago parks historian Julia Bacharach, and other speakers mentioned the enthusiasm and passion for preservation that was evident in the hundreds of letters they received from Point lovers. You're the Point!
But we're not done yet! Next, the City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards will vote to recommend the designation to the full city council.
Read the letters of support from Point lovers here. Watch the unanimous vote conclusion here. Watch the full video of the entire meeting here.

What do we mean when we say we support repair, restoration and rehabilitation per the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Preservation? Read more.
City's "locally preferred plan" funded for demolition and new construction of a concrete revetment. Read Lynn Sweet's Sun Times coverage of the December 15, 2022 Congressional appropriation Photo credit: Top: David Schalliol. Below: Nancy Hays courtesy of the Hyde Park Historical Society |
Promontory Point Conservancy is very grateful to receive the 2022 VIP (Volunteers-in-the-parks) Advocacy award from Friends of the Parks on December 10. Thanks for noticing and acknowledging our hard work these past 21 months!
Find out how preservation construction is cheaper than the City's "locally preferred plan" by many millions of dollars |
Destination Point: a true preservation approach
Repairing, restoring and rehabilitating the historic limestone revetment at the Point per the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Preservation are feasible, legal, more durable, more environmentally sound and even cheaper than the City's "locally preferred plan" of demolition and new construction of textured concrete.
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Our Plan
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The marine engineering drawing illustrates how repair, restoration and rehabilitation could work at Promontory Point. The step-stone, limestone revetment is repaired-in-place or restored. Rehabilitation allows for minimal concrete for ramps and pathways down to the revetment and into the water
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This marine engineering drawing is just one of many ways that rehabilitation at the Point might work: maximize historic limestone and minimize concrete for useful, graceful ramps down to and into the water for ADA compliance
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2nd annual Point Day: Saturday, May 27, 2023, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Come out an enjoy the Point and celebrate the park's 86th anniversary and the 120th birthday of its creator, renowned landscape architect Alfred Caldwell (1903-1998)
2023 clean-up schedule: Sundays, 10:30am - noon
March 26, April 23 (Earth Day), June 25, July 23, August 20, September 10, October 15, November 12
2023 tree inventory: Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00pm
April 27 (training), May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1. Please write us to register
Come out an enjoy the Point and celebrate the park's 86th anniversary and the 120th birthday of its creator, renowned landscape architect Alfred Caldwell (1903-1998)
2023 clean-up schedule: Sundays, 10:30am - noon
March 26, April 23 (Earth Day), June 25, July 23, August 20, September 10, October 15, November 12
2023 tree inventory: Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00pm
April 27 (training), May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1. Please write us to register
Questions about an event or donations for a bench?
The Conservancy does NOT issue park permits for BBQs, weddings, or other events, and it does NOT take donations for benches at the Point.
The Chicago Park District does: Here is the information on the Park District's website about grilling in parks:Here is information on the Park District's website about whether your event will require a permit: For inquiries about a bench at the Point, contact the Chicago Park District:
The Chicago Park District does: Here is the information on the Park District's website about grilling in parks:Here is information on the Park District's website about whether your event will require a permit: For inquiries about a bench at the Point, contact the Chicago Park District: