For more than 50 years Landmarks Illinois has been the leading voice for historic preservation in Illinois. Its annual Most Endangered program began in 1995 and is based on input from Landmarks Illinois' professional staff, board members and preservation and community advocates from across the state. Properties included on the list are selected based on their significance and current condition and status. The purpose of the list is to draw attention to a historic resource for its importance and to encourage and assist with its rehabilitation, maintenance and continued use.

On April 20th, Landmarks Illinois listed Gillson Park as one of 2022's Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. In its announcement, Landmarks recognized the historical and cultural significance of Gillson’s design, saying that Gillson is a remarkably intact historic park and likely eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Landmarks Illinois is concerned that some of the Park Board’s proposed Comprehensive Plans for Gillson fail to recognize the historical significance of its design. They urged the Board to maintain the park's passive and naturalistic design.

Landmarks stated that only Concept #1 of the Board’s plans honors Gillson’s historic landscape design of natural space, heritage trees and limits intrusion of more hard surfaces with unnecessary road reconfigurations and new parking. The Park Board’s own consultants have noted that Concept #1 is the most popular choice among residents. Despite that, the Park Board continues to insist on exploring other options that would negatively impact Gillson’s historic design, remove trees, add parking areas, and rearrange roads. We hope that this designation will help preserve the park as it is, which is what residents have always wanted.

You can find the Landmarks announcement HERE.