Author: Lei Zhang

Program of Study: Master of Laws (LLM), Law School

Chicago Lakefront Trail

Description: How did Chicago’s 30-mile shoreline, with its 3,400 acres of parkland, remain a continuous, public space while other major cities sold their waterfronts to private developers? I’ll share how I, a student from Shanghai, discovered the hidden history of the city’s lakefront, from a legal promise made in 1836 to the ongoing efforts of its modern-day guardians, and how this unique landscape reveals the city’s true soul.

Listen here:

Transcript:

Welcome to the ELI’s Finding Chicago Global Perspectives Podcast Series for AEPP 2025. I’m your host, Lei Zhang. I’m from Shanghai, China, and I’m currently enrolled in the University of Chicago’s Law School.

When I first arrived in Chicago, my biggest surprise didn’t come from a famous building or a museum. It came on two wheels. I was on a bike ride along the water, and I quickly realized the entire lakefront—miles and miles of public parkland—was just… open. The bike path kept going and going, with the lake on one side and the city on the other.

As I rode from my apartment in Hyde Park all the way toward Lincoln Park, what truly amazed me was how this 12-mile stretch of shoreline was completely accessible. There were no private beaches, no fancy restaurants, no hotels blocking my view. It was a continuous, free space for everyone. I saw people from all walks of life—families with strollers, people jogging, artists painting the skyline. It all felt like an incredible gift.

When I looked at google map, I was even more amazed. I discovered that the public lakefront extends for about 30 miles in total, encompassing a massive system of more than 3,000 acres of parkland.

Honestly, it shocked me. As I rode my bike, I realized the most valuable part of the lakefront isn’t what’s on it, but what’s not on it. In so many other big cities I’ve been to, the most valuable waterfront property is sold off for private luxury. But here, this prime land belongs to everyone. This goes against everything we’re taught about urban development. So, I kept thinking to myself, “How is this even possible? Why didn’t they build on this land?” It felt like I had stumbled upon a secret that most people here probably take for granted.

So I started to dig a little deeper. I wanted to understand the story behind this place. I found out that the Chicago lakefront isn’t a coincidence or an accident; it’s a promise! This entire area exists because people in this city made a conscious, collective decision almost two hundred years ago. They chose to preserve this space for the public, for all time. This made my appreciation for it even deeper. It felt like I was riding my bike through a living piece of history—not in a museum, but a space still in use, a vision still being honored.

Even though this space is so special, I can’t help but wonder if it’s also vulnerable. In a city where land is so valuable, is a promise made two centuries ago truly safe from modern pressures? You know, in other major cities, I’ve seen how waterfronts become exclusive playgrounds for the wealthy, and high-rise condos blocking any public access to the water. I started to worry if the same thing could happen here, that this incredible gift could be slowly chipped away at over time.

But then, I found that the fight for this land is still ongoing. I discovered that there are non-profit organizations and groups of ordinary citizens who are still fighting to keep that promise alive. They are like the quiet guardians of the city’s greatest asset. You know, I used to think this open space was just naturally here, but now I see that it’s a testament to continuous effort and an unwritten agreement between Chicago and its people. This makes me appreciate the public lakefront even more deeply.

So, I began to see the lakefront as more than just a park or a scenic view. I started to see it as Chicago’s public square. It’s the one place where all the city’s histories converge. It’s where countless stories unfold every day—first dates, family picnics, marathon races, and protest marches. My own story of riding my bike is just one small thread in this massive, shared collection of stories. By preserving this space, Chicago has created a stage for its own diverse, collective story.

This changed my entire perspective on the city. I no longer see the lakefront just as a beautiful sight, but as a living symbol of a promise being kept. I started to wonder, if a city’s soul is defined by the spaces it chooses to leave open, rather than the buildings it chooses to construct. I also wonder, if a city can decide that its most valuable land is not for profit but for people, what else is possible? It’s a bold statement that says, “We believe some things are more valuable when they are shared by everyone.” For me, that’s a more powerful legacy than any skyscraper.

So, the next time you feel a bit overwhelmed by the busyness of Chicago, I encourage you to take a moment and just walk to the lakefront. Look out at the endless water, and feel that precious gift. Remember, this space was saved for you, and for everyone else. It’s a vision that was laid out almost 200 years ago, not as a poem, but as a legal dedication on a city map from 1836: “A common to remain forever open, clear, and free of any buildings or other obstructions whatever.”

I hope all of you enjoy this podcast. And thank you so much for listening to me.