I am the new owner of Ben Fountain, formally known to Chicagoans as the historic Buckingham Fountain. Having only moved to Chicago in the last year and a half, I was not made aware of the policy that public land could be claimed as one’s own by the placing of certain objects, such as lawn chairs, tables, etc., onto the desired public grounds. My thanks to the recent December snowstorms for clarifying this opportunity.
Certainly the claiming of portions of Chicago streets by private car owners has resulted in my inability to find on-street parking in my neighborhood. But the prospect of owning my own fountain in the heart of Grant Park overshadows this short-term inconvenience and obvious breakdown of my community of East Village.
As I begin to dread the continued toils of winter, I just think of the relaxing summer days I will enjoy under the cooling waters of what was once a cherished landmark of the people of Chicago. Heck, there’s already a chair waiting for me.
