Friends of the Parks - Chicago, Illinois

E A.

They do good work for Chicagoans, even if Chicagoans don't know it or appreciate what they do. Don't listen to the whiners who throw temper-tantrums in Google Reviews because Friends of the Parks opposed laying more concrete in an urban environment that is in desperate need of more greenery (these people quite literally need to touch grass). In a world that is too business-development-heavy for its own good, Friends of the Parks brings everything back to what should matter most: the health and safety of our environment. If you haven't done an Earth Day cleanup with them, you should try it (it'll be some time around April 22nd at a bunch of locations around the city).

Henry D.

These so-called “friends” of the park act more like enemies and have done nothing but stifle the growth of Chicago. The George Lucas Museum, the Obama Library, and now the Chicago Bears Stadium—projects that promised more public and green space and would have provided thousands of jobs—have all been strictly opposed by these “friends.” Please note: the current lot that could have hosted all three of these projects is currently an above-ground parking lot that holds no real value to the city.

They do not care about the city of Chicago. They do not care about the people or the parks. As a Chicago native for over 15 years it truly breaks my heart that this group holds so much power.

Anthony V.

Great now you can't walk into an amazing museum or tailgate with your other 150 people before the game downtown. So...

Dennis B.

The scoruge of Chicago. Friends of the Parks Chicago has consistently opposed innovative projects that could revitalize underutilized spaces, such as the Lucas Museum proposal, which would have transformed a parking lot into a world-class attraction. Not to be taken seriously under any circumstance.

Neddie B.

Such a shame that "Friends of the Park" will be remembered as the group who prevented a World Class museum from being built in the great City of Chicago. It's so unfortunate that you have deprived hundreds of Chicagoans job opportunities and the opportunity of the whole City of Chicago to be distinguished as having a renowned museum, the Lucas Museum. This museum would have been a great attraction for families and children to enjoy on the lakefront. You have done a great disservice to the City of Chicago and to the people of Chicago who actually live in the City and who most would have loved that museum on the lakefront. Shame on you. You maybe friends of the parks, but you are absolutely no friends to the hardworking people of Chicago.

E. M. R. P.

Very opaque about their sponsorship, so safe assumption is that 'friends of the parks' are really 'friends of people who don't want to lose their pricey condo's lakefront view, even if it would mean building a beautiful museum for the public to use instead of keeping a dismal parking lot.' This is an organization for property owners and developers who want to keep the lakefront safe.....for lining their pockets. You can thank them for losing Chicago the amazing opportunity to add a world-class museum and beautiful public use space instead of 'preserving' that amazing lakefront parking lot I know many Chicagoans have grown to love. Friends of the Parks are only Friends to Property Developers' Pockets.

David H.

Not friends at all, rather a bunch of wine-drinking North Shore types who care nothing about Chicago, just themselves - and who don't want the hoi polloi visible at all. The major damage wrought on the city by holding up the Star Wars museum was one of the worst crimes against the city in recent times. Probably ranks higher than the parking meter deal in terms of damage. They should be hounded out of Chicago. LA, where I live now, is very happy to have the billions generated by the new museum.

Eric W.

An a resident of Los Angeles, I want to thank FOTP for their efforts in preventing the construction of the Lucas museum in Chicago. Because of them, my city is receiving the largest civic endowment in American history. We get a fantastic building, thousands of fine and popular works of art, hundreds of jobs and billions in tourism revenue. Did you know that Lucas is paying for the construction himself, so no taxpayer dollars are needed? I thought that Chicago would benefit from all that as well, but apparently that parking lot is a VERY important cultural landmark. Anyway, whatever your motivation, your tenacity gave Los Angeles a “once in a generation” gift. Thank you!!