Jackson Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Rain, Snow, Flush, Grow

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

1. Rain, Snow, Flush, Grow Marker

Inscription. The Center was designed to be a good steward of water resources. We don't send water runoff to the sewer-instead, we collect and reuse more than 1 million gallons of non-drinkable water each year. This means we almost never need to use drinkable water to flush toilets or water plants.

Supporting the Lake
Lake Michigan's ecosystem supports millions of people, plants, and animals. But every day, Chicago pipes out about 750 million gallons of lake water, uses it, and it ends up in the ocean. We keep as much water nearby as possible by replenishing the water supply and supporting the natural ecosystem.

Bring Change Home
Conserving water protects natural resources like Lake Michigan. Even small everyday habits, like turning off your tap while you brush your teeth, can add up to significant change when we all do it together.

Our Water Reuse System
Drain Tile System. This system lets water seep into the ground, not the sewer-and if the ground can't hold any more, excess water collects in a tank for reuse.

Stormwater Tank. Snow or rain that runs off our rooftops is collected in a tank. Then, it's treated and reused

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to water plants and flush toilets.

Native Plants. Deep root systems absorb and store water to use in drier times. This can help prevent flooding during storms.

Sewer Line. When the Chicago sewer system gets overloaded, it dumps water and sewage alike into the Chicago River—and ultimately Lake Michigan. So, our system avoids overfilling the sewer.

Erected 2026 by Barack Obama Presidential Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #44 Barack Obama series list.

Location. 41° 47.238′ N, 87° 35.112′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Jackson Park. It can be reached from South Stony Island Avenue near East 60th Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the grounds of the Barack Obama Presidential Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6001 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

2. Rain, Snow, Flush, Grow Marker

Side. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History of Jackson Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Alison Saar, b. 1956 (within shouting distance of this marker); Remembering Lori Healey (1959-2025) (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson Park Improvements (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Automobile Race in America (within shouting distance of this marker); Julie Mehretu, b. 1970 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Boulevard System (about 400 feet away); Jackson Park (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . . Sustainability at the Center. From the Obama Center's website. (Submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

3. Rain, Snow, Flush, Grow Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.