South Lincoln Park hosts a number of historically significant sites and monuments. Perhaps chief among them is the sculpture Abraham Lincoln: The Man. The monument was funded through a $40,000 bequest by Chicago lumber baron Eli Bates. Irish sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens produced the bronze work, which was installed in 1887 before a crowd of 10,000. In 1989, the Lincoln Park Conservancy restored the 12-foot bronze statue and surrounding granite exedra, added the 8,200-square foot formal garden and upgraded public amenities around the monument to include benches, trees and stone paths.

35 years since its restoration, this beloved part of Lincoln Park’s oldest section needs extensive renovation, reinterpretation and improved site amenities. The Lincoln Park Conservancy plans to restore the Lincoln statue and surrounding granite exedra, redesign and replant the Renaissance-style garden, develop and install contemporary interpretative signage related to Lincoln’s legacy, repair infrastructure including pavers and benches and ensure upgrades fit with the broader Chicago Park District planning for South Lincoln Park. The master planning effort is estimated at $75,000 with a timeline of approximately 10 months. The process will engage a broad and diverse range of stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive plan.