FRAMEWORK PLAN - 2008 Update covering the north end of the park.

 

DOGS - Lincoln Park can boast the only legal beach to take your dog in Chicago. It is located at Montrose Beach at the far north end near the Wilson Boat Ramp. Dogs and owners must obey the rules. Come out and enjoy this newly designated area. The informal "doggie beach" near Belmont Harbor South of Addison is not legal and not safe for the animals.

 

MONTROSE POINT

Montrose Point Education Project Project - Nature Along the Lake

1. Review existing environmental education programs and curricula that address physical and biological concepts and processes, with an emphasis on urban riparian ecosystems.

2. Implementation - A certified teacher will collect and review curricula from sources such as the Chicago Academy, of Sciences focusing on elements relevant to the ecosystem of Montrose Point.

3. Develop a conceptual framework for urban environmental education that integrates these biological and physical concepts and processes with social and cultural aspects.

4. Implementation - A Montrose Point Education Committee consisting of the teacher, project manager, Park District staff, teachers and other interested people will design an educational framework for Montrose Point.

5. Develop program modules and materials for middle school and high school groups.

6. Implementation - Materials will be developed for use in school classrooms and programs such as Park Kids.

7. Test and evaluate the pilot program and pilot materials.

8. Classes will be held at Montrose Point during the fall and spring each year.

9. Evaluations will be conducted at that time.

10. Develop final guidelines, prototypes and related technology transfer materials that can be used for environmental education programs in urban parks in Chicago and around the country.

11. Implementation - A final report will be prepared highlighting Montrose examples.

Montrose Point Landscape Project Goals

1. Understand the uses and values that people have for Montrose Point, and how the prospect of ecological restoration affects those goals.

2. Implementation - Establish a Montrose Point Landscape Committee consisting of  interested organizations and individuals from the public and private sectors and conduct focus groups.

3. Develop and implement a restoration plan that takes into consideration the diverse uses and values of the site.

4. Implementation - The Montrose Point Landscape Committee will work with a landscape architect to develop a restoration plan.

5. Monitor people's responses to changes in the site over a three-year period.

6. Implementation - On-site surveys will be used to gather people's responses.

7. Monitor and evaluate changes in animal and plant life over a three-year period.

8. Implementation - Site stewards will be trained to implement the landscape plan and monitor changes in animal and plant life.

9. Develop prototype guidelines and recommendations for integrating ecological restoration into an urban park context.

10. Guidelines and recommendations will be developed in conjunction with the Committee over the three year period.

Funding Source - Three partner organizations will provide funding. The USDA Forest Service,  with the support of Congressman Yates, will provide $133,600 for the project. LPAC will provide in-kind donations through volunteer hours for recruiting volunteers, project oversight, and accounting. The Chicago Park District will provide matching funds in the form of landscape maintenance, insurance and staff involvement. LPAC's and the Park District's match totaled $43,118.

Montrose Point Youth Project
Summary
The course was facilitated and coordinated by a certified teacher who taught the introductory class and provided an overview and orientation to Montrose Point. Experts in the fields of horticulture, urban forestry, ecology, and landscape design participated in 19 classes. The teacher worked with each expert before their class to ensure that their lessons were presented, and if necessary translated, in a manner that is easily understood by and interesting to the students. Experts included: Vernon Bryant, Manager, Urban Greening Service, Chicago Botanic Garden; John Dwyer and Barbara Spears, urban foresters with the USDA Forest Service; Avery Patillo, Urban Resources Partnership (formerly with the Army Corps of Engineers);- Cindy Duda, US Fish and Wildlife Service; John and Jane Balaban, Volunteer Stewards with the North Branch Prairie Project; Gregg Calpino, Landscape Architect and Planner; and Andrew Hart, Director, North Park Village Nature Center, Chicago Department of Environment.

 

NORTH POND -   Final Report on North Pond (without photos)

You can read previous reports of the North Pond Task Force in .pdf format.

January 2002                         Project Plant List                           June 2001                                   May 2001

February 2001                      January 10, 2001                             Leadership Transition             November 2000

May 2000                             September 9, 1999                           March 15, 1999                          January 4, 1999