About Promontory Point Conservancy
Promontory Point Conservancy strives to protect and preserve Promontory Point, Burham Park, on Chicago's South Side, most especially its historic limestone breakwater block, step-stone revetment and promenade, and renowned landscape architect Alfred Caldwell's Prairie Style landscape design. The Conservancy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit preservation organization that cares for this unique sanctuary in the City and serves as the park advisory council (PAC) de facto. As advocates for this important third-space and the community that gathers there, the Conservancy cares for the Point's environment and unique culture as well as the iconic limestone revetment. We nurture the connections between people, between people and the park, between the Point's history, present conditions and future generations.
Promontory Point Conservancy grew out of then-Alderwoman Leslie Hairston's 2001 Community Task Force for Promontory Point and the Save the Point community initiative 2001-2007 when the Conservancy fought hard to keep the historic limestone revetment from demolition and concretization. It spearheaded and funded the National Register listing in 2018 and the Chicago Landmark designation in 2023. All our directors, officers and active volunteers spend significant time enjoying Promontory Point all year long: they are Point-goers and Point-lovers.
Promontory Point Conservancy grew out of then-Alderwoman Leslie Hairston's 2001 Community Task Force for Promontory Point and the Save the Point community initiative 2001-2007 when the Conservancy fought hard to keep the historic limestone revetment from demolition and concretization. It spearheaded and funded the National Register listing in 2018 and the Chicago Landmark designation in 2023. All our directors, officers and active volunteers spend significant time enjoying Promontory Point all year long: they are Point-goers and Point-lovers.
Directors, officers and active volunteers of the Conservancy,
all Point-lovers and Point-goers
Jack Spicer
Co-founder and President
Jack worked as a landscape gardener for 43 years, following the styles of Jens Jensen and Alfred Caldwell, and planted most of the red bud trees seen in Hyde Park. He is a preservationist trained at the Art Institute School and sits on the board of Preservation Chicago and the Hyde Park Historical Society. For the last 30+ years, Jack has been a critical player saving many historically noteworthy buildings and structures from demolition, including the Till-Mobley Home and Promontory Point. Jack serves as co-president of Jackson Park Watch and served on the board of the Seminary Coop Bookstore. Jack was an original member of the 2001 Community Task Force for Promontory Point and a co-founder of Save the Point. Having survived a Jesuit education, Jack graduated from Antioch College. This Jack Spicer writes poetry too.
Co-founder and President
Jack worked as a landscape gardener for 43 years, following the styles of Jens Jensen and Alfred Caldwell, and planted most of the red bud trees seen in Hyde Park. He is a preservationist trained at the Art Institute School and sits on the board of Preservation Chicago and the Hyde Park Historical Society. For the last 30+ years, Jack has been a critical player saving many historically noteworthy buildings and structures from demolition, including the Till-Mobley Home and Promontory Point. Jack serves as co-president of Jackson Park Watch and served on the board of the Seminary Coop Bookstore. Jack was an original member of the 2001 Community Task Force for Promontory Point and a co-founder of Save the Point. Having survived a Jesuit education, Jack graduated from Antioch College. This Jack Spicer writes poetry too.
Brigid Maniates
VP
Brigid is operations manager at the Invisible Institute. She previosly worked as director of operations at the South Side Weekly and Hyde Park Herald. Prior, as Finance & HR Administrator at the Experimental Station and was the general manager for Qumbya Housing Cooperative and Lots in Common. She also consults with cooperatives, small businesses, and museums in the Chicago area. Brigid is also one of the brilliant creators of Market Box, a two-year-old local food initiative to bring hyperlocal, hyperfresh, organic foods to local people in need despite the collapse of global supply chain, and advocates for South Side park inclusion. Brigid began her career developing inclusive and engaging public programs for the Field Museum of Natural History and the DuPage Children’s Museum. Brigid lives across the street from Promontory Point and is often there enjoying bonfires and swimming.
VP
Brigid is operations manager at the Invisible Institute. She previosly worked as director of operations at the South Side Weekly and Hyde Park Herald. Prior, as Finance & HR Administrator at the Experimental Station and was the general manager for Qumbya Housing Cooperative and Lots in Common. She also consults with cooperatives, small businesses, and museums in the Chicago area. Brigid is also one of the brilliant creators of Market Box, a two-year-old local food initiative to bring hyperlocal, hyperfresh, organic foods to local people in need despite the collapse of global supply chain, and advocates for South Side park inclusion. Brigid began her career developing inclusive and engaging public programs for the Field Museum of Natural History and the DuPage Children’s Museum. Brigid lives across the street from Promontory Point and is often there enjoying bonfires and swimming.
Jorge Sanchez
VP
Jorge is a partner at Lopez & Sanchez, attorneys. He has represented property owners in contract and land use litigation, helped union members enforce contractual rights, lead counsel in complex litigation, representing whistleblowers under the False Claims Act, litigating vote dilution claims under the Voting Rights Act, and much more. Jorge earned his J.D. from the University of California Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law and his B.A. from Brown University. Jorge has served on the boards of the Illinois ACLU and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the Little Village Economic Development Corporation. Jorge is a nearly daily deep-water swimmer at the Point. Jorge was an original member of the Community Task Force for Promontory Point and a co-founder of Save the Point.
VP
Jorge is a partner at Lopez & Sanchez, attorneys. He has represented property owners in contract and land use litigation, helped union members enforce contractual rights, lead counsel in complex litigation, representing whistleblowers under the False Claims Act, litigating vote dilution claims under the Voting Rights Act, and much more. Jorge earned his J.D. from the University of California Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law and his B.A. from Brown University. Jorge has served on the boards of the Illinois ACLU and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the Little Village Economic Development Corporation. Jorge is a nearly daily deep-water swimmer at the Point. Jorge was an original member of the Community Task Force for Promontory Point and a co-founder of Save the Point.
Bronwyn Nichols Lodato
Secretary
Browyn defies description. She founded and heads up Midway Plaissance Park Advisory Council. She is president of the board of Friends of the Parks and a board trustee of the Olmsted Foundation for her advocacy of public spaces for people and economic and social justice for South Side parks. Bronwyn is Assistant Professor of Education and African & African American Studies at WashU in St. Louis. She earned her Ph.D from the University of Chicago. She and her family are frequently at the Point.
Secretary
Browyn defies description. She founded and heads up Midway Plaissance Park Advisory Council. She is president of the board of Friends of the Parks and a board trustee of the Olmsted Foundation for her advocacy of public spaces for people and economic and social justice for South Side parks. Bronwyn is Assistant Professor of Education and African & African American Studies at WashU in St. Louis. She earned her Ph.D from the University of Chicago. She and her family are frequently at the Point.
Debra Hammond
Treasurer
Debra works as a consultant to workers, small businesses and nonprofits on career and business stategies, and finance and operations. She worked as a senior corporate executive on large, global IT projects, pioneering knowledge management and information management systems, and has managed budgets as large as $12m. Debra was an early community supporter of Save the Point. Debra holds an AM and an MBA from the University of Chicago where she was a Lofgren Fellow, and studied Classical Languages at Carleton College.
Treasurer
Debra works as a consultant to workers, small businesses and nonprofits on career and business stategies, and finance and operations. She worked as a senior corporate executive on large, global IT projects, pioneering knowledge management and information management systems, and has managed budgets as large as $12m. Debra was an early community supporter of Save the Point. Debra holds an AM and an MBA from the University of Chicago where she was a Lofgren Fellow, and studied Classical Languages at Carleton College.
B Sampson
Trustee
B. Metzger Sampson is the Executive Director of the Chicago Poetry Center and has worked in public arts programming, nonprofit, and education for over 15 years. B is particularly interested in developing organizational structures and financial models that foreground values-driven operations including equity for artists, teaching artists, and nonprofit staff, and in consensus-based leadership models that shape an organization through collective input and drive meaningful community engagement. B is also a writer, visual artist, and frequent collaborator. B loves to swim and loves the lake with a passion, including it's many phases and all the animals and plants that call it home. They can usually be found swimming or laying on the rocks at Promontory Point right after a swim.
Trustee
B. Metzger Sampson is the Executive Director of the Chicago Poetry Center and has worked in public arts programming, nonprofit, and education for over 15 years. B is particularly interested in developing organizational structures and financial models that foreground values-driven operations including equity for artists, teaching artists, and nonprofit staff, and in consensus-based leadership models that shape an organization through collective input and drive meaningful community engagement. B is also a writer, visual artist, and frequent collaborator. B loves to swim and loves the lake with a passion, including it's many phases and all the animals and plants that call it home. They can usually be found swimming or laying on the rocks at Promontory Point right after a swim.
Michael Rachlis
Trustee
Michael is a partner in the firm of Rachlis Duff & Peel, LLC. He has experience in complex commercial litigation, including various types of contractual disputes, class actions, shareholder derivative suits, insurance coverage actions, intellectual property disputes, partnership and joint venture disputes, disputes involving a wide variety of the financial instruments and various areas of the financial industry, and a variety of land use questions. Many of these disputes involved seeking or defending against emergency, injunctive relief, and have been in state, federal courts and alternate dispute resolution forums across the country. Michael has extensive practice on land use issues, particularly involving issues of historic preservation. Mr. Rachlis has worked with various individuals, groups, public officials and others on such questions, and appeared before various tribunals (preservation commissions, zoning boards, village boards, city councils, state and federal courts) on such matters, including arguing before the Illinois Supreme Court on issues involving the constitutionality of the renovation and ownership of Soldier Field.
Trustee
Michael is a partner in the firm of Rachlis Duff & Peel, LLC. He has experience in complex commercial litigation, including various types of contractual disputes, class actions, shareholder derivative suits, insurance coverage actions, intellectual property disputes, partnership and joint venture disputes, disputes involving a wide variety of the financial instruments and various areas of the financial industry, and a variety of land use questions. Many of these disputes involved seeking or defending against emergency, injunctive relief, and have been in state, federal courts and alternate dispute resolution forums across the country. Michael has extensive practice on land use issues, particularly involving issues of historic preservation. Mr. Rachlis has worked with various individuals, groups, public officials and others on such questions, and appeared before various tribunals (preservation commissions, zoning boards, village boards, city councils, state and federal courts) on such matters, including arguing before the Illinois Supreme Court on issues involving the constitutionality of the renovation and ownership of Soldier Field.
Other Board Trustees
Mary Lu Seidel
Moises Moreno
Mary Lu Seidel
Moises Moreno
Michael Scott
Volunteer
Michael is a professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago. His research interests are in formal, computable models for engineering design, exploring the shifting boundary between the portion of design that can be formally computed and the part of design that must be handled informally. Michael holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology and an AB in Philosophy from Harvard. Michael grew up in Hyde Park; he and his family have been swimming at the Point for several generations. Michael was an original member of Save the Point and served as VP on the Conservancy's board. He is active organizing and supporting progressive causes on the South Side.
Volunteer
Michael is a professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago. His research interests are in formal, computable models for engineering design, exploring the shifting boundary between the portion of design that can be formally computed and the part of design that must be handled informally. Michael holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology and an AB in Philosophy from Harvard. Michael grew up in Hyde Park; he and his family have been swimming at the Point for several generations. Michael was an original member of Save the Point and served as VP on the Conservancy's board. He is active organizing and supporting progressive causes on the South Side.
Brenda Nelms
Volunteer ; expert on Section 106 Review and NEPA
Brenda is co-founder and co-president of Jackson Park Watch. She has a long, successful career as Senior Director,
Foundation and Corporate Relations at the University of Chicago. Brenda lends her considerable expertise and insights in Section 106 Review and NEPA for the Promontory Point project.
Volunteer ; expert on Section 106 Review and NEPA
Brenda is co-founder and co-president of Jackson Park Watch. She has a long, successful career as Senior Director,
Foundation and Corporate Relations at the University of Chicago. Brenda lends her considerable expertise and insights in Section 106 Review and NEPA for the Promontory Point project.
Malachi Zach Hayes
Communications consultant
Zach is a Hyde Park native and freelance writer and editor working on sports and investigative reporting. They have a degree in History and Literature from Bard College and a Masters in American Studies, focusing on sports media analysis, and worked as a communications coordinator for six years prior to joining the Conservancy as communications director par excellence. Zach also is a regular reporter for South Side Weekly and other news outlets.
Communications consultant
Zach is a Hyde Park native and freelance writer and editor working on sports and investigative reporting. They have a degree in History and Literature from Bard College and a Masters in American Studies, focusing on sports media analysis, and worked as a communications coordinator for six years prior to joining the Conservancy as communications director par excellence. Zach also is a regular reporter for South Side Weekly and other news outlets.
Janet and Frank Avellone
Volunteers
Janet skillfully combines her Native and European ethnic backgrounds into her art, family values and traditions. A Master Chef, Janet specializes in desserts, bon mots, tasty witticisms, puns flambeau and savory sweets. Janet was a balletina with the Sacramento Ballet and inspires her granddaughters who are gifted gymnists and dancers. Janet is an avid, sophisticated reader. Now an emerging Charles Ives scholar, Frank spent his professional and retired life as a lawyer fighting for civil rights, rent control and fair housing. He has authored legislation at the municipal, state and national levels, and frequently speaks on panels and at conventions. Frank is a talented Spanish and Brazilian guitar player and gifted musician. When not playing music, singing and dancing, Janet and Frank enjoy the Point with their granddaughter.
Volunteers
Janet skillfully combines her Native and European ethnic backgrounds into her art, family values and traditions. A Master Chef, Janet specializes in desserts, bon mots, tasty witticisms, puns flambeau and savory sweets. Janet was a balletina with the Sacramento Ballet and inspires her granddaughters who are gifted gymnists and dancers. Janet is an avid, sophisticated reader. Now an emerging Charles Ives scholar, Frank spent his professional and retired life as a lawyer fighting for civil rights, rent control and fair housing. He has authored legislation at the municipal, state and national levels, and frequently speaks on panels and at conventions. Frank is a talented Spanish and Brazilian guitar player and gifted musician. When not playing music, singing and dancing, Janet and Frank enjoy the Point with their granddaughter.
Matt Isoda
Volunteer
Matt is an electrical engineer and works as the principal development engineer at Panduit’s data center. Matt serves as secretary of Midway Plaissance Park Advisory Council and on the South Parks group in various capacities, and has volunteered at the Field Museums since he was a teenager. Matt brings his love of children and cats, and his love of the Point to his professional advice and personal work with the Conservancy.
Volunteer
Matt is an electrical engineer and works as the principal development engineer at Panduit’s data center. Matt serves as secretary of Midway Plaissance Park Advisory Council and on the South Parks group in various capacities, and has volunteered at the Field Museums since he was a teenager. Matt brings his love of children and cats, and his love of the Point to his professional advice and personal work with the Conservancy.
Dustin Stern
Volunteer
A lifelong Chicagoan, Dustin was ready to leave the City for good until he discovered the unique sanctuary of the Point in 2021. Since then, he has become a Hyde Park resident and a fixture at the park, where he finds connection and calm through frequent cold plunges, pickup volleyball and frisbee games, and reflective moments sitting on the rocks. The Point helps him slow down, connect to nature, and provides an element of play that had been missing in his life.
As a leader of our monthly cleanup initiatives, Dustin channels his passion into action. He views these volunteer opportunities as an excuse to give back to the place he loves, saying, “The Point has given me so much, it makes me want to help take care of it.” His commitment ensures this beloved park remains a clean and accessible refuge for all.
Volunteer
A lifelong Chicagoan, Dustin was ready to leave the City for good until he discovered the unique sanctuary of the Point in 2021. Since then, he has become a Hyde Park resident and a fixture at the park, where he finds connection and calm through frequent cold plunges, pickup volleyball and frisbee games, and reflective moments sitting on the rocks. The Point helps him slow down, connect to nature, and provides an element of play that had been missing in his life.
As a leader of our monthly cleanup initiatives, Dustin channels his passion into action. He views these volunteer opportunities as an excuse to give back to the place he loves, saying, “The Point has given me so much, it makes me want to help take care of it.” His commitment ensures this beloved park remains a clean and accessible refuge for all.
Adam Parrott-Sheffer
Volunteer
Adam is an early morning Point swimmer who remembers fondly sitting on the limestone rocks watching the sunrise with his wife the morning his first son was born almost two decades ago. He teaches and writes about system improvement, leadership entry, and school reform for the Harvard Graduate School of Education and University of Chicago. He also serves as an education and policy advisor to several Chicago School Board members and is board chair of Elevate to Educate, an organization that seeks to foster student agency in our schools.
Volunteer
Adam is an early morning Point swimmer who remembers fondly sitting on the limestone rocks watching the sunrise with his wife the morning his first son was born almost two decades ago. He teaches and writes about system improvement, leadership entry, and school reform for the Harvard Graduate School of Education and University of Chicago. He also serves as an education and policy advisor to several Chicago School Board members and is board chair of Elevate to Educate, an organization that seeks to foster student agency in our schools.
Pastor David Black
Volunteer
Rev. David Black is the Pastor of The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago. He lives in South Side Chicago and may be seen with his dog Bella at Promontory Point. His ministry has been focused on empowering individuals and communities who have been marginalized and dispossessed. He is especially passionate about justice, art and culture care. As an activist, he has organized for the youth climate strike, incarcerated migrant youth, racial justice, bail reform, public housing reform and more. David’s early life was spent moving around Eastern Europe, and he identifies as a “third-culture kid".
Volunteer
Rev. David Black is the Pastor of The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago. He lives in South Side Chicago and may be seen with his dog Bella at Promontory Point. His ministry has been focused on empowering individuals and communities who have been marginalized and dispossessed. He is especially passionate about justice, art and culture care. As an activist, he has organized for the youth climate strike, incarcerated migrant youth, racial justice, bail reform, public housing reform and more. David’s early life was spent moving around Eastern Europe, and he identifies as a “third-culture kid".
George Rumsey
Volunteer
George has lived in Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago since 1976 and for over twenty years has enjoyed and support the Point. He served as president of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference, president of the Coalition for Equitable Community Development, an affordable housing advocacy group, and became a member of the 53rd Street SSA Advisory Committee. He currently serves as the chair and as a commissioner on SSA #61 "Downtown Hyde Park." He formed and chaired the Hyde Park Disability Task Force, co-chairs the Perennials Department of the Hyde Park Garden Fair, and is the setup coordinator for the annual Hyde Park Used Book Sale. As president of Computer Resource Center, Inc., George provides computer training and consulting throughout the Chicago area. He is a graduate of Mercer University (Macon, Georgia) and has a Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Chicago.
Volunteer
George has lived in Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago since 1976 and for over twenty years has enjoyed and support the Point. He served as president of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference, president of the Coalition for Equitable Community Development, an affordable housing advocacy group, and became a member of the 53rd Street SSA Advisory Committee. He currently serves as the chair and as a commissioner on SSA #61 "Downtown Hyde Park." He formed and chaired the Hyde Park Disability Task Force, co-chairs the Perennials Department of the Hyde Park Garden Fair, and is the setup coordinator for the annual Hyde Park Used Book Sale. As president of Computer Resource Center, Inc., George provides computer training and consulting throughout the Chicago area. He is a graduate of Mercer University (Macon, Georgia) and has a Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Chicago.
Hannah Nyhart
Volunteer
Hannah is the co-founder of Build Coffee, a café and community space in Woodlawn. Over a decade of work on Chicago's South Side, Hannah has gained broad skills in operations and strategy across a diversity of projects, from community spaces to journalism, to mutual aid. In addition to her work at Build, she's a Co-Founder of Market Box, a mutual aid project that bulk-buys food from small farms and distributes it for free across the South Side. She is particularly interested in the creation and maintenance of 'third spaces', and what it looks like to build modern, responsive institutions grounded in care and justice.
Volunteer
Hannah is the co-founder of Build Coffee, a café and community space in Woodlawn. Over a decade of work on Chicago's South Side, Hannah has gained broad skills in operations and strategy across a diversity of projects, from community spaces to journalism, to mutual aid. In addition to her work at Build, she's a Co-Founder of Market Box, a mutual aid project that bulk-buys food from small farms and distributes it for free across the South Side. She is particularly interested in the creation and maintenance of 'third spaces', and what it looks like to build modern, responsive institutions grounded in care and justice.
Emily Halter
Volunteer
Emily currently works as a public defender in Cook County. She moved to Chicago for law school at Northwestern in 2015 and fell in love with the City, its neighborhoods and its people. Emily is [truly] passionate about helping others and is always looking for new ways to get involved in the Chicago community. She loves the Point and, when she heard about the plans to destroy so much of what makes it great, she wanted to be on the front lines of the preservation effort. When she isn’t advocating for her clients, she enjoys being outside, exploring every thrift store in the county, and hanging with her rescue greyhound Bunnie at the Point. (Read what Emily’s clients say about her.) Emily served formerly as a director of the Conservancy. She wants USACE to rebuild the revetment in Legos.
Volunteer
Emily currently works as a public defender in Cook County. She moved to Chicago for law school at Northwestern in 2015 and fell in love with the City, its neighborhoods and its people. Emily is [truly] passionate about helping others and is always looking for new ways to get involved in the Chicago community. She loves the Point and, when she heard about the plans to destroy so much of what makes it great, she wanted to be on the front lines of the preservation effort. When she isn’t advocating for her clients, she enjoys being outside, exploring every thrift store in the county, and hanging with her rescue greyhound Bunnie at the Point. (Read what Emily’s clients say about her.) Emily served formerly as a director of the Conservancy. She wants USACE to rebuild the revetment in Legos.
Curtrice W. Scott
Volunteer
Curtrice is native Chicagoan and longtime South-Sider. She is a mother, a wife, and a friend with strong focus on community service and local politics. She is an alumna of Spelman College and the University of Michigan Law School. She grew up swimming in the lake off the north side of the Point. Curtice is a former board director of the Conservancy.
Volunteer
Curtrice is native Chicagoan and longtime South-Sider. She is a mother, a wife, and a friend with strong focus on community service and local politics. She is an alumna of Spelman College and the University of Michigan Law School. She grew up swimming in the lake off the north side of the Point. Curtice is a former board director of the Conservancy.
Don Lamb
Volunteer
Don is the Robert A. Millikan Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Enrico Fermi Institute and the College ; Associate Director, Flash Center for Computational Science, and Harris School of Public Policy , University of Chicago. Don has worked on major political campaigns and policy initiatives and has expertise in congressional appropriations and legislation. Don joined the Conservancy in 2005.
Volunteer
Don is the Robert A. Millikan Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Enrico Fermi Institute and the College ; Associate Director, Flash Center for Computational Science, and Harris School of Public Policy , University of Chicago. Don has worked on major political campaigns and policy initiatives and has expertise in congressional appropriations and legislation. Don joined the Conservancy in 2005.
Asa Gelber
Volunteer
Asa grew up in Hyde Park - South Kenwood and from an early age was a swimmer and advocate for the Point. A 2022 graduate of Indiana University's Mauer Law School, Asa works as a Cook County public defender.
Volunteer
Asa grew up in Hyde Park - South Kenwood and from an early age was a swimmer and advocate for the Point. A 2022 graduate of Indiana University's Mauer Law School, Asa works as a Cook County public defender.
Bruce Johnstone
Volunteer
Bruce is a general contractor. He is an original member of the 2001 Community Task Force for
Promontory Point and a co-founder of Save the Point.
Volunteer
Bruce is a general contractor. He is an original member of the 2001 Community Task Force for
Promontory Point and a co-founder of Save the Point.
Connie Spreen
Volunteer
Connie is executive director of the Experimental Station and is a sought-after food advocate. Connie holds a Ph.D in French from the University of Chicago. She is an original member of the 2001 Community Task Force for Promontory Point and is a co-founder of Save the Point.
Volunteer
Connie is executive director of the Experimental Station and is a sought-after food advocate. Connie holds a Ph.D in French from the University of Chicago. She is an original member of the 2001 Community Task Force for Promontory Point and is a co-founder of Save the Point.
Greg Lane
Emeritus
Greg was an original member of the Community Task Force for Promontory Point and a co-founder of Save the Point. He was a key and important thinker, spokesperson and advocate in the original battle, 2000-2007, to Save the Point and went on to spearhead the Morgan Shoal community work that resulted in the 2015 community Framework Plan.
Emeritus
Greg was an original member of the Community Task Force for Promontory Point and a co-founder of Save the Point. He was a key and important thinker, spokesperson and advocate in the original battle, 2000-2007, to Save the Point and went on to spearhead the Morgan Shoal community work that resulted in the 2015 community Framework Plan.
Fred Blum
In Memoriam
Fred was an original member of the Community Task Force for Promontory Point and Save the Point. Fred taught geology at Chicago State and worked to create the faculty union there. His good work and good words are missed as we rally again to Save the Point! Read Fred's statement about the beautiful geology of the Point's limestone blocks below.
In Memoriam
Fred was an original member of the Community Task Force for Promontory Point and Save the Point. Fred taught geology at Chicago State and worked to create the faculty union there. His good work and good words are missed as we rally again to Save the Point! Read Fred's statement about the beautiful geology of the Point's limestone blocks below.
"The beauty of the limestone is enhanced by aging, unlike even the best textured concrete..."
"When we say that the limestone character of Promontory Point's revetment must be preserved, we are referring to its beauty and all those aspects that contribute to this historic landscape. The beauty of the limestone is enhanced by aging, unlike even the best textured concrete. Concrete exhibits cracks and crumbles into unsightly masses as it weathers, whereas limestone exhibits textures of its ancient organic origins as it undergoes the natural impact of ice, waves and wind. When we marvel at the textural array of these blocks of limestone, we are also being affected by the fossilized character of rock which 400 million years ago was produced by the Silurian sea covering a vast area of the mid-continent of North America. During this 25 million year period, shell covered organisms and coral, along with the calcite mineral of the sea, formed the sediments that later became the limestone and dolomite bedrock underlying the Chicago and Indiana region."
"By looking from afar, the aesthetic superiority of limestone over concrete is obvious, while a closer observation of these limestone blocks reveals the organic nature of its beauty. A careful look at Promontory's limestone will reveal the fossil remnants contained in these stone blocks. It is this appreciation of the organic character of limestone and its predominance as Chicago's and Lake Michigan's bedrock which made it fit so well into Alfred Caldwell's later organic Prairie School design of Promontory Point. Even before the 1920's when the limestone revetment was being constructed, many of the finer buildings and houses in Chicago were using local or regional limestone or dolomite for its beauty and accessibility. This limestone wall is an ideal link between Alfred Caldwell's organic Prairie School landscape and Chicago's lakefront wilderness area, Lake Michigan."
-- Fred Blum, geologist, 2003
"By looking from afar, the aesthetic superiority of limestone over concrete is obvious, while a closer observation of these limestone blocks reveals the organic nature of its beauty. A careful look at Promontory's limestone will reveal the fossil remnants contained in these stone blocks. It is this appreciation of the organic character of limestone and its predominance as Chicago's and Lake Michigan's bedrock which made it fit so well into Alfred Caldwell's later organic Prairie School design of Promontory Point. Even before the 1920's when the limestone revetment was being constructed, many of the finer buildings and houses in Chicago were using local or regional limestone or dolomite for its beauty and accessibility. This limestone wall is an ideal link between Alfred Caldwell's organic Prairie School landscape and Chicago's lakefront wilderness area, Lake Michigan."
-- Fred Blum, geologist, 2003