Large swaths of grass at Grant Park are still brown and dried out and other patches of grass are instead patches of dirt, nearly two weeks after Lollapalooza wrapped up. (Credit: CBS)
Reporting Craig Dellimore
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CHICAGO (CBS) — The promoters behind Lollapalooza are outlining plans to protect Grant Park—where the outdoor music festival will be held next week.
As WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports last year heavy raise and huge crowds left the park a muddy mess.
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C3 Presents, which puts on Lollapalooza, is assuring the public it is committed to keeping Grant Park and the surrounding areas clean, safe and beautiful during the music festival.
Spokeswoman Shelby Meade says unexpected weather took a toll on the park grounds last year, but she says C3 will do everything in its power to prevent damage from regular traffic and wear.
Meade says the company has already taken a good look at conditions in Grant Park with Chicago Park District officials, and they are planning for aluminum panels on the ground to protect the grass from heavy equipment, and protective fencing to prevent damage from foot traffic in certain areas.
Last year, the park needed about $1 million in restoration after Lollapalooza was over. The lawn on Hutchinson Field had been reduced to muddy mess of muddy and stagnant water, stale beer, and garbage, with seagulls everywhere.
Rain and flooding on the weekend of the festival played a role in the damage.
Austin, Texas-based C3 assumed the bill for the damage last year, as is required by the contract that allows the company to use Grant Park for Lollapalooza.
