DUSABLE PARK STEERING COMMITTEE About Friends of the Parks The Art Institute Peggy Montes Friends of the Parks (FOTP) is a 30-year-old s Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad, parks advocacy organization, dedicated to Chicago Chapter preserving, protecting, and improving Chi- DuSable Park Dr. Serge Pierre Louis cagos parks and forest preserves for all Bronzeville Childrens Museum citizens. Since 1975, FOTP has increased Peggy Montes and private and public commitment to Chicagos Chicago DuSable League parks by establishing park advisory councils, Bessie Neal, President DuSable Founders Trail Linda Wheeler developing new parks in neighborhoods of need, renovating playgrounds, and working Rowing and Paddling Center Susan Urbas for expanded recreational programs for Cassandra Francis children. DuSable Heritage Association Dr. Marilys Ewa DuSable Park Project Laurie Palmer Friends of the Chicago River DUSABLE FOUNDERS WAY Marta Nelson NAVY DUSABLE PARK PIER Friends of DuSable PIONEER CT Haroon Rashid Friends of DuSable Park Karen Duffy Friends of the Parks Erma Tranter Eleanor Roemer Conservancy Bob ONeill Grant Park Advisory Council Robert Gordon, Architect

Midwest Association of Haitian American Women Chicagos east Friend Dr. Mildred Olivier Near Eastside Association of Residents (NEAR) Friends of the Parks Anna Anthony 55 East Washington, Suite 1911 Chicago, IL 60602-2174 Organization for Active Residents (SOAR) Phone: (312) 857-2757 Dr. Mary Lunz Fax: (312) 857-0656 Brian Hopkins Email: [email protected] DUSABLE PARK, dedicated as parkland in DUSABLE PARK CHRONOLOGY 1996 Kerr-McGee and River East L.L.C. are named as 1988 by the late Mayor , is the parties responsible for investigating cleaning DuSable Park is a three and a half acre undeveloped up suspected radioactive contamination in located where the Chicago River meets Lake site situated where the Chicago River meets Lake Streeterville, including DuSable Park. Michigan. Developing this park site provides Michigan. A concrete and steel seawall currently an opportunity to celebrate Chicagos forms the boundary with the water on three sides: on 1998 The Amended Planned Development for River East origins. DuSable Park is named for Jean the north, with Ogden Slip, a public navigable water- Development included DuSable Park with a $600,000 Baptiste Pointe DuSable, the first non-native way; on the south, with the Chicago River; and on the contribution from the private development corporation for construction of DuSable Park. settler and founding father of Chicago. east with Lake Michigan. The western boundary is . The 3.5 acre park site is also a critical piece of 1999/00 budget includes $1,200,000 for development of DuSable Park; The B.F. Chicagos lakefront park system. The park is 1770s Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable established a Ferguson Fund of the important to lakefront park advocates and prosperous farm and trading post at the commissions internationally renowned sculptor, residents in the nearby Streeterville and Near mouth of the Chicago River (now the site of the Martin Puryear to create a commemorative East Side neighborhoods, as well as Tribune Tower). sculpture for DuSable Park. Chicagoans desiring to commemorate Jean 1857 The DuSable Park site, then shallow coastal land, 2000 Chicago Park Districts proposal for a temporary parking Baptiste Pointe DuSables contributions to was part of the grant of 46 acres of land to Dock lot on the DuSable Park site creates a public outcry, Chicago and its diversity. and Canal Company, which promoted commercial and the DuSable Park Coalition is formed, composed and industrial development in the area, but retained of park advocacy, community organizations, and A public river walk connects DuSable Park ownership of the underlying land. groups desiring to commemorate DuSable. with Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue. The river esplanade, officially named as 1893 The DuSable Park site was filled in by the U.S. Army 2001 The Chicago Park District hires Harza Engineering DuSable Founders Trail, would include Corps of Engineers, possibly as part of the Chicago to analyze seawall repair. historic plaques and signage about Chicago Dock and Canal Ship Basin Project (now known as Ogden Slip), to connect cargo boats with railroads 2002 Laurie Palmer, School of the Art Institute, invites s founding at the confluence of the Chicago at North Pier. DuSable Park proposals for 3 Acres on the Lake; River and Lake Michigan. DuSable Park Coalition with the Chicago 1906 Lindsay Light Chemical Co. operated in the area Architecture Foundation presents an exhibit of the owned by Dock and Canal Company. With its main DuSable Park designs and hosts symposium: facility at 161 E. Grand Avenue, Lindsay Light ex- Hidden in Plain View. tracted thorium from monazite ore. The waste in- cluded radioactive tailings. 2003 With support of public officials, the Chicago Park District makes significant progress to develop 1928 The National DeSaible Memorial Society (since DuSable Park, including; 1966 the Chicago DuSable League) was formed to Environmental dean-up; commemorate and promote appreciation of Jean Establishment of the DuSable Park Baptiste Pointe DuSable as the first colonial settler Steering Committee; and founding father of Chicago. Formulation of concept plan for DuSable Park; 1962 The Chicago Dock Canal Company, reorganized Amendment to Planned Development as the Chicago Dock Canal Trust, begins a mas- #368 which clarifies access issues and ter plan for residential and commercial develop- establishes responsibilities and schedule. ment. 2004 Chicago Park District hires a design/engineering 1985 This development was approved as a 40 acre planned firm to complete park drawings. Ald. Natarus development with three open space areas dedicated introduces ordinance to designate river esplanade to the Chicago Park District: River Esplanade, between DuSable Park and Pioneer Court on , and the future park to be named by Michigan Ave., as the DuSable Founders Trail. Mayor Harold Washington in 1987 for DuSable. 2005 Engineering study and park design finalized. 1988 Ownership of the DuSable Park site was DuSable Founders Trail dedicated. transferred to the Chicago Park District through a quit claim deed.