Montrose Beach Concert Complaints

Concerts at Montrose Beach on Chicago’s North Side are sparking complaints from nearby residents over traffic issues and a lack of access to the area surrounding shows.

Photo: James P. Hendershot

Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Md.

Officials with the Lincoln Park Advisory Council heard concerns from local residents and boat owners July 8, according to the Chicago Tribune.

During the meeting, some claimed they had no idea that concerts, including Mumford & Sons June 19 and Beach Boys and Kool & the Gang June 26, were taking place.

Further, they said that when they arrived at the site they found they were not allowed access the park or harbor – even with a boating permit. The Tribune noted that council president Ellen Isaacson questioned whether the concerts were a good use of the park space.

“It seems like this is a slippery slope,” she said. “Is Montrose going to become the Ravinia South? Because I don’t want that at all.”

Residents had met with Ald. James Cappleman and Jam Productions before the Mumford concert to discuss traffic and noise management, the paper said, but some still complained during the meeting that they felt the impact from the sold-out show.

Isaacson said she plans to take the residents’ concerns to the Chicago Park District.