I’ve been there. It felt so odd being able to go to a government park, after sunset, against the water, and just have it be filled with people (like 100 people in sight, across the 600ft of lakefront I could see). When does it officially close, like 10pm? One cop-type was making rounds in the parking lot but not actually enforcing anything. There were occasional fireworks. I’m sure there are altercations sometimes, but the most I saw in my hour there was unruly kids (10 year olds). It was so peaceful.
I come from the coast where there is only private land and government land that closes dusk to dawn.
Shoutout to Daniel Burnham and Montgomery Ward for keeping Chicago’s lakefront free and open for the people.
I’ve been there. It felt so odd being able to go to a government park, after sunset, against the water, and just have it be filled with people (like 100 people in sight, across the 600ft of lakefront I could see). When does it officially close, like 10pm? One cop-type was making rounds in the parking lot but not actually enforcing anything. There were occasional fireworks. I’m sure there are altercations sometimes, but the most I saw in my hour there was unruly kids (10 year olds). It was so peaceful.
I come from the coast where there is only private land and government land that closes dusk to dawn.
The parks and beaches and their associated facilities officially close at 11pm, but the Lakefront Trail is open 24 hours.