Residents of the South Loop are expressing frustration over limited access to Northerly Island due to concerts at the Huntington Bank Pavilion. The pavilion, which has expanded its capacity to 30,000 since its opening in 2005, hosts around 30 events per year that obstruct visitors to the 120-acre city park.
Impact on Local Residents
Jasleen Sangha, a South Loop resident, was enjoying a Friday afternoon at 12th Street Beach on Northerly Island when she was asked to leave due to an upcoming concert. Sangha believes that the public beach should remain accessible, even when there are concerts in the adjacent private area.
Similar complaints have been raised by other residents, who feel that the concert venue’s growth has restricted their use of the park’s hiking trails and beach. The Park District has been tight-lipped about the issue, with city officials refusing to answer questions about how events affect visitors.
Ald. Pat Dowell, whose ward includes residents who regularly use the park, stated that strong leadership and direction from Mayor Brandon Johnson are necessary to alleviate the effects of concerts and other events on residents. However, the Park District disputed residents’ accounts, claiming that only a small portion of the beach near the Pavilion was closed for safety reasons during concerts.
Lack of Communication
Residents have been particularly annoyed by the lack of communication from the city, making it difficult for them to plan trips to the beach or bike the park’s trails without knowing whether public areas will be open. The silence from the city also affects Sangha’s job as a concierge and event planner, as she is unsure whether to recommend Northerly Island to visitors.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
