Can One Dogged Enthusiast Polish Olmsted's Tarnished Chicago Jewel?

"When Robert Karr Jr. closes his eyes, he sees cherry blossoms," writes Steven R. Strahler. "Thousands of cherry blossoms on hundreds of trees, like the ones that are a springtime ritual in Washington. He sees them in a revitalized Jackson Park, Frederick Law Olmsted's tarnished South Side jewel."

"Mr. Karr, a lawyer and executive vice president of the Japan America Society of Chicago, also sees Chicagoans enjoying concerts in a Ravinia-style music pavilion and gazing upon the park's lagoon as they make use of a new, park-facing entrance to the Museum of Science and Industry."

"How much of this will come to fruition depends in large part on Mr. Karr's fundraising prowess and on how many others share his vision for this underused public space."