Piers

Drawings in the 1909 Plan included two massive piers on either side of the harbor, just east of Grant Park. The most prominent pier and the one that receives the most attention in the plan is the northern one at the mouth of the Chicago River. The piers were designed to serve dual purposes, as both docks for freight vessels and for recreational purposes. Its recreational areas would include a ballroom, restaurants and parade grounds. 

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In 1916 Navy Pier was constructed just a few streets south of where Burnham drew it in the Plan. It was originally designed with intentions very similar to that which the Plan describes. Later, economic factors would push most commercial ships to land at a dock further south and more of the pier became devoted to recreation.