Nature and recreation inspired the proposed multi-million dollar makeover for Grant Park’s north end. And for the first time the public will get a glimpse.
The Chicago Park District will unveil to the public for the first time Wednesday night designs to overhaul Daley Bicentennial Plaza.
Residents’ input helped shaped the look put together by a New York firm. A major concern was not turning that section of Grant Park into another Millennium Park, the Sun-Times reports.
Chicagoans instead wanted "lots of areas to play – and not just for physical challenge, but a sensory experience,” said Park District Planning Director Gia Biagi. The paper reports the designs meet those concerns.
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The overhaul would include transforming the flat green lawn into rolling hills with views of Lake Michigan and Buckingham Fountain. Children could climb walls, bike and skateboard on soft surfaces in kid-friendly play areas.
The divisive plan to move the Children’s Museum from Navy Pier to Grant Park jumpstarted transformation plans. The park district notified residents in October the museum would not move into the park.
The Park District wants to get the leaky roof repaired over an underground garage next fall. That will require digging up the lawn. It could use $35 million from a parking leasing deal to help pay for the project.
