In 1909, Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett collaborated with the Commercial Club of Chicago to create the historic Plan of Chicago, a bold new vision for the region. One hundred years later, Openlands joined forces with the Burnham Plan Centennial Committee to advance Green Legacy Projects throughout the region that build on Burnham’s innovative thinking and foresight.

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Urban parks and recreation areas offer valuable health, economic, and environmental benefits. However, the amount of quality open space in Chicago fails to keep up with the city’s growing population. What’s more, the city and park district often lack the flexibility to acquire land quickly, as opposed to more nimble developers. To level the playing field, Openlands has partnered with the Old Republic International Corporation to establish the The Chicago Open Space Legacy Fund, giving us the ability to act swiftly on behalf of public entities and provide bridge financing when lots become available.

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What are Chicago's emerging art-focused neighborhoods? Where are the "food deserts" in the city? How much does the average household in my district spend on transportation? These are just some of the fascinating questions that can be explored in “Maps in the Public Square: An Atlas of the Next Chicago Region,” an online exhibit that highlights the creative combination of mapmaking and public policy in the Chicagoland region.

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Maps do more than just represent space—they tell insightful and persuasive stories. Openlands’ Natural Connections project allows you to create customized maps that show the interconnected network of open space and natural areas in parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Read more: Natural Connections