Millennium Park
About Millennium Park
Millennium Park sits on space that was previously occupied by rail yards and parking lots. Through a massive civic effort, generous private donations and six years of tireless work, the Park ceremoniously opened on July 16, 2004. Today, 25-acre Millennium Park is the second most popular tourist attraction in Illinois (following close on the heels of Navy Pier), and contains some of the greatest public art pieces in the world.
The 3.5-acre Lurie Garden pays homage to the City’s motto, “Urbs in Horto” (City in a Garden), which refers to Chicago’s transformation from its flat and marshy origins to a bold and powerful city.
Anish Kapoor’s first public sculpture in the United States came as the result of $26M in private donations and, well, a giant headache. Composed of close to 200 stainless steel plates and weighing 100 tons, Cloud Gate faced numerous technological and upkeep issues before being unveiled in early 2005. Thankfully, Kapoor and a team of experts ironed out early shortcomings and, ultimately, created one of Chicago’s iconic landmarks and selfie darlings.
More to Explore in Cook County, IL
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As innovative protectors and stewards of the land since 1963, Openlands exists to create access to nature for all. Through local alliances, forward vision, and persistent action, Openlands connects and leads conservation work, serving as a guiding voice for communities, organizations, and more effective policy in northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region.
