Winter brings a special beauty to The Point Click here for nice warm summer photo

Great news - US Congress Approves Point Study Funds

Last Updated February 4, 2008

"[Chicago has] but one natural object at all distinctively local, which can be regarded as an object of much grandeur, beauty, or interest. This is the Lake." --Frederick Law Olmsted

Promontory Point is a peninsula of land jutting out into Lake Michigan in Chicago at 55th Street. With its panoramic views from Indiana to the Chicago Loop, its cooling breezes, and recreational opportunities, it has become a mecca for those wanting to swim, walk, bike, sunbathe, read, fish, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or just admire the breathtaking view.

This unique park is threatened by the current plans of the Chicago Park District to encase it in a concrete and steel seawall, as well as by encroachment from portions of the South Lake Shore Drive reconstruction project. The Promontory Point Community Task Force is fighting these plans, and seeks to preserve its beauty for generations to come. This web site explains our mission.

As you can read in several sections below, the immediate threat to the beauty of the Chicago Lakefront is not limited to Hyde Park, but extends the entire length of the Lake Michigan shore in Chicago. Besides Promontory Point, particular endangered areas include Belmont to Fullerton, the 57th Street Beach, and Monroe Harbor.

"Statement Of Work" agreed to with Sen. Obama's office and the Chicago Park District on August 14, 2006
Chicago Park District letter to Sen. Obama's office August 14, 2006
Updated! Promontory Point in the news
Promontory Point Mediator's web site Includes meeting reports, final report, city's June 1, 2004 response.
Contribute financially to the effort to Save The Point
Point Named to List of 10 Most Endangered Historic Places In Illinois
Late-breaking news, events, meetings, etc.
Write letters to Mayor Daley, Alderman Hairston, others
"Promontory Point Park in Burnham Park" by Gary Ossewaarde, Hyde Park Kenwood Community Conference. Excellent overview and detailed history of The Point, with many photos.
History and significance of Promontory Point (Hyde Park Historical Society)
Get your SAVE THE POINT t-shirt now!
Full July 13, 2003 Report (MS/Word file)
Architectural Proposal for The Point
Engineering Reports
Text and signers of the University of Chicago Student Petition
What's wrong with the Park District's plans
What we propose instead
About The Promontory Point Community Task Force
Thanks to those who contributed to our cause
Contact us

For more information, follow these links to other sites:

Our friends:

• Hyde Park Historical Society Our chief ally in the struggle to Save The Point.
• Hyde Park Kenwood Community Conference Includes the web site of the Jackson Park Advisory Council another of our close allies in this struggle.
• Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois
• Hyde Park Herald Weekly newspaper founded in 1882 has provided extensive coverage of the struggle to save Promontory Point.
• Friends of the Parks The original organization promoting the well-being of Chicago's parks.

Official Government Sites:

• City of Chicago Shoreline Protection Project
• South Lake Shore Drive Reconstruction History link contains an interesting history of Burnham Park.
• Chicago Park District
• "Chicago helps rebuild miles of Lake Michigan shoreline" U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Update Project overview, with good explanation of techncial terms.
• Golden Spike National Historic Site The other famous Promontory Point, in Utah, where the Transcontinental Railroad was completed on May 10, 1869. Official National Park Service site.