Park #511 to be named A. Montgomery Ward Park

The Chicago Park District initiated the required 45-day notice period to rename Park #511, located at 630 N. Kingsbury Street, as the A. Montgomery Ward Park.  Friends of the Parks requested that the park be renamed, for it is very near what was the former Montgomery Ward Company headquarters, and a portion of the park was actually once owned by the Montgomery Ward Company; it was known as “Associates Park,” and was given to Ward employees to use as a picnic area on the river.

Aaron Montgomery Ward fought for 21 years, from 1890 to 1911 in Illinois courts to protect what is now known as Grant Park and the lakefront from encroachments of buildings and structures.  He died while being vilified by the press for his actions to protect Chicago’s parks.

After two decades of lawsuits paid for privately by Ward, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld all lower court decisions that Chicago’s Grant Park be set aside for public park use only.  To this day, the “Ward Decisions” are cited to protect our lakefront parks from development.

Born in Chatham, New Jersey in 1844, Ward eventually moved to Chicago in 1865, and worked for Marshall Field.  By 1872, he published his first mail-order catalogue, and saw his Montgomery Ward Company grow to become one of the largest retailers in the nation.  His moto: Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back” became the standard for retailers.  He died in 1913 at age 69.

Friends of the Parks made the name change request because there is no park in Chicago named after one of the most important park advocates who ever lived in Chicago.  Alderman Brendan Reilly (42^nd Ward) and the River North Residents Association have all endorsed this renaming effort.  After the 45-day notice provision, the naming request will be taken up by the Park District Board of Commissioners in September.

In a rare interview, Ward once stated: “Had I known in 1890 how long it would take me to preserve a park for the people against their will, I doubt I would have undertaken it…I fought for the poor people of Chicago, not the millionaires….Here is park frontage on the lake, comparing favorably with the Bay of Naples, which city officials would crowd with buildings, transforming the breathing spot for the poor into a showground of the educated rich.  I do not think it right.  Perhaps I may see the public appreciate my efforts, but I doubt it.”

Friends of the Parks has initiated the “Burnham & Ward Society” to honor both Daniel Burnham and A. Montgomery Ward.  Individuals who have included Friends of the Parks in their estate plans are members of the Burnham & Ward Society.