Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago called for the expansion of the city’s existing parks and boulevard system, established in the 1870s, and the acquisition of natural areas outside the city limits that today are managed by the Cook County Forest Preserves. Most importantly, Burnham’s plan established that the shores of Lake Michigan be utilized as public parklands. “The Lakefront, by right, belongs to the people. Not a foot of its shores should be appropriated to the exclusion of the people.”

During its four days in Chicago, the Alliance will gather together and visit Lincoln Park, including the Lily Pool designed by Alfred Caldwell; Chicago’s west side parks, including Garfield and Columbus, designed by Jens Jensen; Riverside, the garden suburb designed by Olmsted and Vaux; and Pullman, the planned company town that President Obama recently designated as a National Historic Monument for its important role in U.S. labor history.