What others are saying
“ … Olmsted explored the themes of urbanization, civic infrastructure, and social justice as a foundation for the enrichment and empowerment of American society. He believed, fundamentally, in the democratic nature of parks and the capacity of nature to improve health and bring people together. Before Olmsted, parks were private property — reserved for the most wealthy. Thanks to Olmsted’s work and designs, parks in American became public spaces, open to all people.”
(One of three amicus curiae submitted in support of plaintiffs’ appeal that was denied by the honorable Robert Blakey. Why?)
“An increasingly large body of literature points to the health promoting effects of access to nature. Engagement with nature can influence health and wellbeing through multiple physiological and psychological mechanisms by evoking nervous, endocrine, and immune system responses. Stress reduction, cognitive restoration, and opportunities for physical activity are well documented effects of nature engagement.”
(One of three amicus curiae submitted in support of plaintiffs’ appeal that was denied by the honorable Robert Blakey. Why?)
“History, nature, and public access to parkland are being reduced, removed or eliminated entirely while Chicago has an abundance of vacant land outside of public parkland on the South Side that would be ideal for the Obama Presidential center. An alternate site west of Washington Park would not unduly restrict public access to Chicago’s public parks, would not require massive tree clear-cutting, would not require significant alterations to existing roadways, and it would not require such an assault on Chicago’s historic landscapes. That site would also produce similar or greater economic benefits to Chicago’s South Side as the Jackson Park site without the unnecessary and egregious destruction.”
(One of three amicus curiae submitted in support of plaintiffs’ appeal that was denied by the honorable Robert Blakey. Why?)
“NAOP’s stance is— and has always been— that it is important to house a vibrant presidential center in Chicago to honor the 44th President. However, there is no reason to sacrifice Jackson Park. As outlined by NAOP and others, the Foundation has set a disturbing precedent by appropriating public parkland for a private purpose in the face of decades of dedicated protection of the Park by city leaders.”
Anne Neal Petri, October 1, 2021, Requiem for Jackson Park, National Association for Olmsted Parks
Twin Embraces wins the AIA Illinois Honor Award 2021 for Excellence in Master Planning
“The AIA Illinois Honor Awards recognize people and projects epitomizing the contributions of the architecture profession, the transformative power of design, and the dedication of individuals to service and excellence. All award winners have positively impacted citizens throughout the state of Illinois by helping create communities in which people are drawn to live and work, and to live healthier and happier.”
Many of the Supreme Court’s decisions are reached with no hearings or explanation. The nine justices are making more and more use of the “shadow docket”
“The so-called “shadow docket” (a term coined in 2015 by Will Baude of the University of Chicago) includes emergency appeals from parties who believe they would be irreparably harmed without quick intervention from the justices.”
“…the spike in shadow-docket cases involving issues of national importance—including battles over election rules and public-health measures to fight covid-19—highlights a deficit of transparency and accountability.”
“In a departure from the tradition of landscape gardens as enclaves of privilege, Olmsted conceived of his parks as “democratic spaces.” Ms. Jarrett, however, sees the need for an upgrade. “When it comes to Jackson Park,” she writes, “our goal is to restore the grandeur to its fading beauty and strengthen its vitality.” By cutting down hundreds of full growth trees? By disrupting traffic patterns? By appropriating 20 acres--a footprint sure to grow--in order to construct a monumental building on a footing likely to be compromised by the encroachment of Lake Michigan due to climate change?”
Jaime Kalven, July 19, 2021, Opinion editorial, Chicago Tribune
“…all parties already know there is no possible way to “mitigate” the destruction of Jackson Park after 500-1,000 trees are clear-cut, Cornell Drive’s closure is creating a traffic nightmare, and a “landscaped campus” complete with a huge tower is constructed in the path of a national migratory bird flyway - except by refusing to fund or otherwise authorize it. The excuse that any of these agencies cannot refuse funding or authorization as long as the paperwork is correctly completed is not only insulting but also untrue.”
— From “Statement of Nichols Park Advisory Council in Response to Proposed Mitigation of Section 106 Assessment”