2016 Olympic Games
Friends of the Parks supports the 2016 Olympics in Chicago and the use of Chicago’s parks for the Games.
The 2016 Olympics offer an opportunity to improve and benefit parks and the surrounding neighborhoods after the Games. If done with sustainability as a goal, FOTP believes that the legacy projects that remain as permanent facilities in parks could enhance and improve historic Olmsted and Jensen designed landscapes and lakefront parks. If, however, stadia, Olympic pools or artificial white water rafting features remain as permanent facilities in inappropriate park sites, the parks would be harmed and the Park District could be saddled with unused buildings, high maintenance costs and redundant staffing costs.
Friends of the Parks has reviewed the proposed Chicago park venue sites in the 2016 Olympics February bid book. Click here to read the full analysis of the park venue locations and recommendations for changes in permanent legacy projects.
