Our Effort to Save the Lakefront Continue

Lucas Museum Updates

For Immediate Release Our Efforts to Save Chicago's Lakefront Continue Friends of the Parks continues Lucas Museum Lawsuit Chicago, Illinois - Friends of the Parks legal case continues in federal court After today's court appearance, all parties in the challenge to the Lucas Museum will proceed as directed by the Court. On December 3, 2015, Friends of the Parks will file its written response to the City's and Chicago Park District's motion to dismiss. After a further reply by the City and Park District, the judge is scheduled to issue his opinion in court on February 4, 2016. Meanwhile, the judge ordered that the City of Chicago and the Park District not break ground on the project. "We believe that we have strong legal authority to stop this surrender of a valuable public resource to a private party," said Juanita Irizarry, Executive Director, Friends of the Parks. "We think that the sale of the property to George Lucas' foundation - a lease that could run for 297 years - is a boon not to the public but to Mr. Lucas himself. And this sale is in conflict with the purpose for which the land is held in trust - the express purpose being to preserve the land for the public and future generations as a pristine natural resource." "We appreciate the judge reiterating that the city cannot break ground on the museum while this litigation is in process," said Lauren Moltz, Board Chair, Friends of the Parks. Please Help This Legal Effort by Donating Today Donate to the Lakefront Protection Fund : Support the Lakefront Protection Fund or send a check payable to : Friends of the Parks 17 N. State St. #1450 Chicago, IL 60602-3315 memo: Lakefront Protection Fund Media Spotlight Below are some highlights of the most recent media coverage. DNA Info Article WTTW Article Friends of the Parks' Netsch Lecture Series Presents: Project 120 Join Friends of the Parks and Keynote speaker Bob Karr, as he discusses Project 120, an exciting project to revitalize Jackson Park. Mr. Karr will share the history of Japanese Gardens along with the rich legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted's South Parks - Jackson, Washington, and the Midway Plaisance - as an influential and innovative component of Chicago's cultural renaissance. Project120 Thursday, December 10, 12:15- 1:00pm Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater 78 E. Washington Street Friends of the Parks' Walter Netsch Lecture Series honors renowned architect Walter Netsch's vision and leadership that changed the culture of the Chicago Park District. The lecture series offers FREE quarterly lectures on topics of parks, the arts, the environment, and urban planning. Speakers include policy experts, authors, artists, and government officials. About Friends of the Parks Friends of the Parks is a 40 year old nonprofit parks advocacy group whose mission is to preserve, protect, improve, and promote the use of Chicago's parks and public open spaces. We advance our programmatic, educational, and advocacy work with the support of our members, donors and volunteers, and through our governmental, community and environmental partnerships. Contact Name: Kim Klein Title: Director of Operations Phone: 312-857-2757 ex. 5 Email address: info@fotp.org STAY CONNECTED:

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