LPC 2025 Annual Report

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ANNUAL REPORTANNUAL REPORT20252025 Photo Credit Russ Smith

thank you for your support thank you for your support Photo Credit Adriana Gonzalez

01 Message from the Executive Director 02 Year in Numbers 03 A Look At The Park 08 Volunteer Programming 09 Events Overview 10 Financials 12 Donor Roll TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lincoln Park is not just a park. It’s Chicago’s front and back yard. It’s your kid’s playground and your dog’s favorite walk. It’s our favorite running trails, our soccer fields, our basketball and tennis courts. It’s home to over a thousand species of plants and animals. It’s where we gather with friends, family, and out-of-town guests. It’s one of the city’s great museums, filled with history, art, and architecture. The Lincoln Park Conservancy is proud to be its champion. In 2025, the Conservancy celebrated many successes. The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool reopened to the public following an extensive structural and ecological restoration, welcoming guests to once again enjoy this hidden oasis. We completed a mural in the North Avenue underpass, beautifying everyone’s morning commute. We welcomed more visitors to the Lincoln Park Conservatory than in years prior. Our volunteers gave more of their time caring for the park, and word of our mission continued to spread. The park served this community in a multitude of ways, and with your help, the Conservancy served it as the steward of its health and beauty. Looking ahead to 2026, much like Lincoln Park, we will continue to grow. With new members on our team, we are bringing a renewed energy toward our mission. We plan to expand our volunteer and educational programming with more stewardship days, Nature Walks, and corporate workdays. We will officially dedicate the North Avenue underpass mural. We will restore and unveil the famed sculpture, Lincoln: The Man, kicking off our South Lincoln Park Renewal Project. Thanks to your support, the Lincoln Park Conservancy will expand our capacity, deepen our commitment, and make an impact. Lincoln Park is much more than just a park. Together, we can give it the care it deserves.Not Just a Park . . . A Message from our Executive DirectorLauren Robinson Executive Director1

YEAR IN NUMBERS197,149 Conservatory Visitors1,500 EcoSteward Hours28,883 Docent-Visitor Interactions1,250 BioBlitz Observations1,394 New Social Media Followers1,064,327 Raised17 Events356,947 Social Media Impressions99 Visitor Countries2,399 Docent Hours2

the parkthe park A look atA look at Photo Credit Adriana Gonzalez3

Lincoln Park Conservatory Photo Credit Russ Smith The Lincoln Park Conservatory, the historic and botanical marvel at the heart of the park, had an exceptional year with 197,149 visitors from 99 different countries - an 8.4% increase from 2024! The Conservatory is always free, but our generous visitors made nearly $70,000 in donations, supporting our maintenance and programming.The annual sound installation by Florasonic returned to the Fern House with a new piece, Semblance of Fern, by Sarah Belle Reid. On the first day of the installation, Reid performed the piece in person with over 1,200 people in attendance. The Conservatory staff once again created two stunning flower shows, making every visit to the space unique and memorable. 70,000+ guests visited the spring flower show, Spectrum of Spring, from February 11 to May 11, and 22,000+ guests visited the winter flower show, Fireside, from November 26 to January 4. It has been part of Lincoln Park for over 100 years, serving everybody and bringing joy and happiness. We need to preserve this paradise under glass that has meant so much to the city and its visitors. Buffie Berger Conservatory Docent and Board Member 4

During the 2025 season, the Conservancy restored the treasured Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, and it reopened in September. Staff performed painstaking carpentry to replace the rotted wood of the historic pavilions. In keeping with the original 1936 design, we sourced 20-foot-long white oak boards that had to be kiln-dried in Ohio, the only kiln large enough in the Midwest. We also addressed other issues, like fixing the waterfall’s water flow and completing an extensive ecological restoration. As part of the Conservancy’s recommitment to the site and commemoration of 25 years of stewarding the Lily Pool, we took a new approach to site management. We focused on removing invasive species and replacing them with native species that will support climate resilience and a healthy habitat for wildlife of all kinds. Among the greatest ecological advancements was the removal of several overgrown Norway Maple trees, a legacy of past landscaping practices that cast too much shade for the rich native flora. The removal of these non-native, invasive tree species resulted in the expansion of native wildflower populations due to increased sunlight. Rehabilitation is a multi-year process. Closing the space annually allows us to add more native plants to repopulate barren areas and, when possible, to reintroduce sensitive species that have been lost. Since its reopening, volunteers and staff have worked together to cultivate the health and diversity of the Lily Pool’s rich woodland ecosystem and maintain Caldwell’s original aesthetic. Chicago’s hidden gem is now shining and open to the public.Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool 5 It’s different every week, every day. There is always something new to see, observe, and learn. Cindy Gray Lily Pool Docent

Lincoln Monument Gardens and MeadowsIn partnership with the Gold Coast Neighbors Association, the Chicago Park District, local aldermen, and community members and organizations, we are refreshing the southernmost section of the park, known as Lincoln Monument Gardens & Meadows.Phase I began in October 2024 with concept designs for renovations and improvements. This was followed by a community survey and three community meetings to collect ideas and feedback. Almost 2,000 community members weighed in before we approved a final design. Phase II is underway, which includes the restoration of Standing Lincoln (aka Lincoln: The Man) and its surrounding exedra. Sculpted by famed Irish sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and dedicated on October 22, 1887, it is one of the most significant statues of Abraham Lincoln.The Conservancy last restored the statue in 1989, and it is overdue for repairs. Restoration of the sculpture starts in the spring of 2026. Fundraising for the larger Lincoln Gardens & Meadows Renewal Project is ongoing, and there are still ways to contribute. Visit our website for more details on how you can get involved.6 North Avenue Underpass In partnership with the Conservancy and the Chicago Public Art Group, artist and educator Cheri Lee Charlton and her students completed a mural at the North Avenue Underpass, Day into Night: Lincoln Park’s Living Canvas. It captures the park’s rhythm, from its wildlife to its architecture. They completed the mural at the end of 2025, and it will be officially unveiled in 2026. The project was made possible by the Jahn Family, who originated the idea and gathered donations from Lincoln Park residents and community members. Photo Credit Tim Seed

This park is important for all of us. It’s incredible to have a place to walk for miles and enjoy green space. Kristina Mulhall LPC Board MemberThe North Pond Nature Sanctuary continued to serve as a respite in the busy city. Community members and visitors enjoyed walks (often with dogs) around the Pond, volunteers helped keep it clean and healthy, and the pond supported biodiversity. The Conservancy hosted bio-blitzes where volunteers photographed and recorded animal and plant species. Using iNaturalist, a free platform that allows crowdsourced observations of nature, our volunteers made 910 observations, representing 223 species from 151 individual observers. Among them were many migratory birds, including the state-endangered Black-crowned Night Herons, White-crowned Sparrows, and Spotted Sandpipers, as well as insects, reptiles, and mammals. One volunteer recorded 77 unique observations! North Pond Nature Sanctuary 7 Sunshine PlayscapeSounds of children enjoying the various spaces and features of the Sunshine Playscape filled the air. The Conservancy and the Park District continued to work together on the maintenance and enhancement of the space. In 2025, we had to remove the “willow arch tunnel” feature, as the willow branches could not take root and thrive in the busy environment of childhood exploration. Instead, we are planning to introduce a new feature in 2026: a Mud Kitchen,where kids can experiment with the nature around them. In addition to the kitchen, the Conservancy plans to replace the jumper logs and refresh the plants and mulch.

Stewards of the park Volunteer ProgrammingCorporate Groups As a small nonprofit, our strength lies in partnerships. Our corporate volunteer program brings local businesses out into the park to make an impact. In 2025, 345 volunteers from 15 groups helped us make a difference.Docent Volunteer Program The Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool are packed with history and beauty. Our Docent Volunteers generously give their time to guide visitors through these rich sites, offering knowledge on Chicago history, horticulture, and conservation. In 2025, our docents interacted with 28,883 guests from around the world. We are grateful for the 2,399 hours that this group spent sharing special insight into the magic of Lincoln Park. We were excited to welcome 20 new docents to our ever- growing team of park ambassadors.EcoSteward Numbers Our EcoSteward volunteers come out to the park biweekly on Thursdays to clean, plant, collect seeds, observe nature, and more. It is a great way to learn about local ecology and meet like-minded people. In 2025, we had 735 volunteers join us across seven workdays, amounting to 1,500 volunteer hours! Cleaning up the Lily Pool with a corporate work group was the first time I learned about this hidden oasis. It is now one of my go-to destinations. Stephanie Etzig Board Chair 8

events overview Wonders of the Park GalaOur events are a critical part of our work, bringing people together to enjoy the spaces we work so hard to protect. We hosted 17 community and fundraising events in 2025, engaging over a thousand community members. Our Wellness Series in the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool allowed guests to enjoy yoga, sound bathing, and more in the tranquility of the Lily Pool. BOO-tanical Bash returned, bringing people of all ages to the Conservatory to enjoy the Halloween season. Winter Warmth celebrated our dedicated volunteers, friends, and a great year in the park. You can learn more about our events on our website. Our Wonders of the Park gala in the spring was our hallmark fundraising event. Over 200 guests enjoyed an evening at the Saddle & Cycle Club on May 15, 2025, helping us raise over $214,000 in support of our mission! Thank you to all of our sponsors, attendees, and speakers who helped make the evening such an incredible success. 9

Fueling our mission Financial overview 10 Your Support Makes Our Work Possible Thanks to supporters like you, our total support increased by 13% from the prior year. The categories leading the way in growth were Corporations & Foundations, Dedications, and Programs & Earned Revenue. 29% 20% 11% 10% 8% 8% 6% 5% 4% General Donations Special Events Capital Projects Corporations & Foundations Board Dues Conservatory Donations & Merchandise Other Dedications Programs & Earned Revenue Operating Revenue Based on audited financials Park Maintenance Capital Projects Fundraising Management & General Volunteer & Educational Programs 34% 18% 14% 7% 7% 20% Functional Expenses Special Events Programming 63%

thank youthank youthank youStaff Board Lauren Robinson Matthew Evans Adriana Gonzalez Oisín Heneghan Jason Knowles Jeffrey Seleb Mario Flores Alice Hurst Max Grill Executive Director Manager of Park Stewardship Manager of Visitor Services Manager of Development Manager of Volunteer Programs Manager of Operations Assistant Manager of Visitor Services Development Coordinator Accountant Stephanie Etzig Buffie Berger Joseph Rumph Kristina Mulhall Isabel Carpenter Christie Dooley Brittany Graunke Julie Jahn Maggie Johnston Melinda Munson Matthew Prewitt Norman X. Raidl Kelly Small Heidi Suprenant Georgina Thiebaud Nicole Werner Nick Woboril Cathy Breitenbach Chair Co-Treasurer Co-Treasurer Secretary Consulting Director Chicago Park District Representative Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Directorthank you Photo Credit Adriana Gonzalez11 As of October 2026

THANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOULincoln Park COnservancyThe greatly appreciates all of our supporters and volunteers whom have donated their time and money to make our work possible over the past fiscal year, January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. 12 Corporations, foundations, and organizations $25,000 and above Anonymous John R. Halligan Charitable Fund Jahn Foundation Andrew R. and Janet F. Miller Foundation $10,000 to $24,999 American Massage Therapy Association MacArthur Foundation Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family Foundation Dr. Scholl Foundation $5,000 to $9,999 Calhoun Family Foundation Cara Cara Clothing Mullen Circle Brand, Inc. Okta Scott Byron & Co., Inc. Tom Stringer Design Partners Donald R. Wilson Jr. Family Foundation $1,000 to $4,999 $500 to $999 AC Private Travel Anderson Family Foundation Anonymous Antares Capital Apex Exchange LLC Crowell & Moring LLP Custom Ink LLC Dropbox. Inc. The Philip M. Friedmann Family Charitable Trust Lillian and Larry Goodman Foundations Guggenheim Capital, LLC Harry Caray’s Restaurant The Heart Bandits Johnson & Johnson Kehoe Designs Rakuten USA, Inc. Anne E. Rea & Kenneth A. Bigg Fund Wight and Company Williams Family Charitable Foundation Arise Energy Dopkins & Company LaSalle Investment Management North Shore Senior Center The David Pattis Memorial Foundation

THANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOU13 Individual donors $25,000 and above William Jentes Norman X. Raidl $10,000 to $24,999 Anonymous Marietta Bratta-Garber Brittany and Jerry Graunke Jim and Jennifer Kastenholz Michael L. and Rosalind C. Keiser Todd Martin $5,000 to $9,999 The Baker Family Buffie Berger Nancy Breseke Isabel and Austin Carpenter Karen Cooper Alicia Cressey and Tony Ward Peter Dimon Stephanie Etzig Brian Fargo David Hansen and Trish King Maggie and Zach Johnston Laurence Leive Matt and Ashley McKee Melinda and Jim Munson John K. and Janis Notz Noel Bennett Patterson $1,000 to $4,999 Jean and Henry Alder Larry and Julia Antonatos Kate Arias Ben and Jancy Audet Daniel and Julia Bade MaryJo Behrman and Brian Bishop Christopher Benassi Binoy Bhansali Hilary Bingle Shaun and Andy Block Paul Borman Vern Broders and Francia Harrington Jenny and Jack Brown Jennifer Bush Gregory and Lesley Butler Cheryl Cesario Andrea and Brian Chadwick The Colvin Family Peggy and Kenneth Cunniff Jason Dantico Laura Dicrosta Christie Dooley Lorrie and Nick DuPont Andrew and Kathleen Ebbott Marguerite Elias Robert and Lindsay Everest Rebecca Fleischman Deztiny Ford Dr. Arthur Frank Barb and Kevin Garvey Grant Gochnauer Libby and Peter Graham Angela Green Bruce and Jamie Hague Sehjin Han Martin Harper Diane Heller Alanna and Tim Higgins Joyce Patrick Ho Libby Holdren Jimmy Holloran Megan Huddleston Whitney and Joseph Huffsmith Michael Hurst Susan and James Hurst Thomas James Greg and Carol Josefowicz Timothy Joseph Daniel and Gloria Kearney Jim Kelly Katherine and James Kennedy- Kartheiser William Ketchum Mark and Karen Koulogeorge Helen Coburn Meier Kristina and John Mulhall Michael and Kelly Small Heidi and Jim Suprenant Matthew Prewitt and Alicia Hilton Elizabeth Price Irene D. Pritzker Joseph Rumph and Kellene Artery Georgina Thiebaud Nicole and Kevin Werner Susan Kovic Barbara and John Kowalczyk Virginia and Frederick Langrehr Scott Lennox Marc and Angela Levenstein Sarah Levine Michael Licata Kathleen Logan Melissa Martinez Georgianne Urban and David McCoy Jodi and Gray McNally Margaret McTigue and David Miller Donna and Theodore Miller Jennifer Morgenstern Pat and Nina Mucerino Bruce Murphy Rhiannon Naslund Jack and Cheryl Neal Julia Newbury Mary Olsen Tony Olson Susan and Brad Oltmanns Dolly Patel Kristin Petrovich Abby and Mason Phelps Margot and Thomas Pritzker

THANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOU14 $500 to $999 Steven and Dianne Goren Radtke Sarah and Louis Rassey Tod Reynolds Lisa Rodriguez Colleen and Rafael Rosa Sheli and Burt Rosenberg Ethan Rude Jo Anne Rydholm Terry and Stephen Schwartz Daisie & Mike Siska Geoffrey and Catherine Smith Megan and Brad Smith Russel Smith Ruchika Sohoni and Vik Vikramsinh Janet and Tom Sontag Patricia Teplitz Peter Vale Anne Van Wart and Michael A. Keable Cooper Warner Ann Wasoff Carter Wellford Susan Whitcher Ron and Linda Wolf Suzanne and Mike Wychocki Aretae Wyler Jessi Yackey James and Sheila Amend Richard Bail Stuart Baker Sarah Basken Megan Beck Margaret Berger and Michael Friedman Heiji Black Hannah Brunner Leslie Butler Penny Clevenger Lori Colman Kroeter Nancy Contel Carolyn Davis David and Holly Diedrich Robert Dye Natalie Elrod Megan Fellman Laura Ferrell and Grant Riedesel Diane Fitzgerald Sarah and Fred Flosi Gwyndolyn Friend Robert and Ellen Frist Carla Funk Allison and Fordy Gates James Goeke Wendy Graham Eleni Griesemer Anne Gron Jane and Bob Grover Ann Herring Gretchen Hoffmann Carolyn Hruban Elizabeth Hubbard Melissa Huff and Richard Alkire Amey Hutchins Lane Imberman Hector Jimenez Ochoa Ralph Johnson and Kathleen S. Nagle Loraine and Steve Kaufman Tomoko Kizawa Michele Konner Lynn and Jeffrey Kuhr Franco La Marca Lauren Long Allison Lunn Patrick Macellaio Stavros Maltezos Mark and Julie Marinello Albert McCally Mary McLean Wilson Carrie McNally Kelly Meissner and Brent Knight Eve Miller Virginia B. Nanula Susan Otterbeck Sheenal Patel Bruce Poduska Adelle Pollak Spyros and Betty Polydoros Jimmy Quigley Rachel Reynolds Anthony Richards Carol Roos Anne Rorimer Bonnie Rothman Nancy and David Sarne Virginia Satrom Alice Schreyer Larry and Janet Shiff Kathleen and Douglas Shuman Rich and Roxanne Stanfel Rush and Rachel Sturges Evan Sutherland Jean Van Nice Mary and Jim Vieregg Heidi Voorhees and Ed Walchak Susan and Robert Watts Genevieve Weeks Thomas Weiss and Priscilla Read Doug Widener and Mark Becker Jeffrey Wilson Alex Woo Emese Wood David Wu and Alexandra Kung Monthly Donors Sanibh Aryan Nathaniel Byerly Jason Dantico Andrew Hill Thomas James Hugh Kremer Peter Leonis Madeleine Murphy Suzanne Otterbeck Gilbert Pasquale Timothy Pigott Kevin Quinn Mark Rinaldi Lisa and Ed Ruder Grace Summers Kay Whitman

Our mission: Preserving, protecting, and enhancing the art, architecture, and nature of Chicago’s largest and most visited park for generations to come. 2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614 | lincolnparkconservancy.org | (733) 883-7275