City planning -- Illinois -- Chicago -- History -- 20th century
From South Chicago to Grant Park the treatment proposed is made up of a
parkway along the actual shore line, following the right-of-way of the
Illinois Central Railroad; and also a wide park strip entirely in the
Lake, enclosing a series of lagoons. On the north a similar treatment
is suggested, except that here the parkway is somewhat narrower than on
the South Side, and an additional element is introduced in the form of
a chain of outlying islands. The arrangement on the north comprises two
roadways, the first following the shore as it exists to-day, while the
second roadway runs within the park strip lying beyond the lagoons. In
the latter parkway the line is simplified and irregularities disappear
to a large extent, the outer line from North Avenue to Evanston finally
becoming a double curve. This is further enveloped with a line formed
by the chain of islands which it is proposed to build on the shallows.
This line curves gently from the north in a southerly direction
until it joins the outer park strip north of the River. This point
is the beginning of the line which flows towards the south shore. A
yacht harbor should be constructed at the northern end. The sport of
yachting is very greatly in need of encouragement of this form, as
the navigation of Lake Michigan is rather dangerous, and there is now
no point north of the River to which a yacht can run for shelter. In
addition to the northern yacht harbor, there should be other harbors,
in the lee of the proposed islands, out in the Lake. These would be of
the utmost value to yachtsmen, as they would afford from mile to mile a
point of refuge in case of surprise by squalls.
For the most part, an informal landscape treatment is proposed for
the two park strips; but where the bridges cross the lagoons, a more
formal treatment is introduced and pavilions are provided for the
various recreation purposes. It is also proposed to create a yacht
harbor just north of Jackson Park, where the shallowness of the water
permits the formation of extensive meadows by filling; and also to fill
in above the shoals dotting the shore, with a group of islands. Broadly
stated, the treatment of the shore from South Chicago to Wilmette may
be said to be one which will result in the restoration or perfection of
the line already existing; while the formal treatment proposed at the
bridges, which are spaced at intervals of from one to two miles, will
create a rhythm which even in this broad, general scheme must have its
value.
[Illustration: LV. ENGLAND. HENLEY-ON-THAMES: THE REGATTA COURSE.]
[Illustration: LVI. ENGLAND. HENLEY-ON-THAMES: A REGATTA.
Illustrating the life which would develop in the lagoons of the
proposed Lake Shore Parks.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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