Save the Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier, Chicago

Save the Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier, Chicago

Started
September 16, 2021
Petition to
Navy Pier and 2 others
Signatures: 23,622Next Goal: 25,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by Celine Wysgalla

The Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier is a one-acre, indoor botanical garden that is free and accessible to the entire general public. It offers a peaceful green space to gather and enjoy, and it is available year-round, which is especially valuable during the cold months in the City of Chicago.

From hosting weddings and proms to being a space for gatherings with friends and family, the Crystal Gardens has become a cherished space to many. Countless people from all over the world have come to this space to take in its beauty and have made memories that will last a lifetime.

It would be a mistake to tear down Crystal Gardens. The Crystal Gardens is one of very few free public indoor gardens in Chicago and is located at a central location in the City. Especially in colder temperatures when other outdoor spaces are not accessible, it is important to have access to this green space to get reprieve from the cold and reap the physical and mental health benefits of being in an indoor garden. Losing this space will mean decreased accessibility to and appreciation for the natural world, especially in a city where green space can be tough to come by.

We propose keeping the Crystal Gardens and moving Illuminarium, the proposed new tenant, elsewhere on the Pier. Illuminarium, which seeks to democratize experiences like going on a safari, in it of itself is a fine idea, and we understand the need to support other businesses on the Pier and to boost revenue at Navy Pier following the COVID-19 pandemic, but this should not be at the expense of green space.

It is our understanding that the immersive experience Illuminarium is proposing can be built in a variety of venues, so there is no reason Illuminarium cannot exist elsewhere on the Pier and still benefit the City and Navy Pier. Illuminarium will also decrease the accessibility of the space to the general public, charging at least $30 per person for its experiences. There is no reason the Crystal Gardens and Illuminarium cannot coexist.

Please follow our Instagram at @savecrystalgardens

Please feel free to email the creator of this petition at savecrystalgardens@gmail.com 

For more information, here are some news articles:

https://secretchicago.com/illuminarium-navy-pier/

https://abc7chicago.com/navy-pier-illuminarium-things-to-do-in-chicago-news/10977155/ 

https://chicagodefender.com/illuminarium-experiences-announces-plans-to-open-at-chicagos-navy-pier/

 

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Signatures: 23,622Next Goal: 25,000
Support now
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