Keep Promontory Point "open, clear and free" for everyone!

Send a letter to City officials demanding that the Chicago Police Department respond to teen gatherings at the Point and 57th Street Beach in a way that keeps the Point a peaceful, safe santuary and guarantees access to the lakefront parks to everyone.

The quote "open, clear and free" comes from the 1836 proviso for the Chicago lakefront. It was used by Montgomery Ward in his series of 1880 and 1890s lawsuits to stop privatization of the Chicago lakefront. Over the years, it has come to mean not just a prohibition of industrialization and commercialization of lakefront parkland but free, clear and open access for all. Because we're a preservation organization, it’s our hook in this matter.

Read the Conservancy's statement on the City's poor response to teens gathering at Promontory Point and 57th Street Beach, and why the Point should stay "open, clear and free" for all
Read 5th Ward Alderman Desmon Yancy's op-ed in the Chicago Tribune, dated June 2, 2026, in response to the City's inadequate response to "teen takeovers". And watch Yancy's outstanding interview with Bennie Currie on proven peaceful ways of engaging teens.