Millennium Park in Chicago is a 99,000 square meter public park that is part of the Grant Park complex. Cultural events and seasonal festivals are held here. Since the completion of the construction work, it has received more than 30 prestigious awards, which has made it even more attractive in the eyes of visitors.
History of creation
After the project to create a Millennium Park in Chicago was approved by the city authorities, it began to be built on the site of the former parking lot of the railway company. According to one version of the creation, Mayor Richard Michael Daly was at a dentist appointment and looked out the window, he did not like the "bleak" landscape, and he said that it was necessary to decorate the place with a park. The original project specified a budget of $ 150 million, the opening was planned for 2000, so the name was chosen "Millennium".
The project was behind schedule, construction took place in 1998-2004, and the budget increased from $150 million to $475 million. This was due to the difficulty of performing engineering tasks, because the Millennium Park in Chicago was built over the railway infrastructure and parking lots. The opening ceremony was held on July 16, 2004, and the Park has become one of the most popular places, called the heart of Chicago.
Short description
Millennium Park in Chicago is open every day all year round from 6.00 to 23.00, admission is free for visitors. It is believed that the park has become so popular due to the competent approach of specialists. This is the result of the combined efforts of artists, architects, and landscape designers.
Here you can see:
- The sculpture "Cloud Gate", presented in the form of a mirror structure reflecting both visitors and the skyscrapers of St. Regis Chicago, One Museum Park, Prudential Plaza 2, which are located nearby. This is one of the most successful works by British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor.
- Another equally famous attraction is the Crown interactive Fountain, designed by Catalan sculptor Jaume Plens. It is formed of 2 glass towers on which you can see video images of Chicago residents' faces.
- The Lurie Garden is a masterpiece by Dutch architect Piet Udolf. During its creation, local plant species were planted, including small blue bird cherry, toad lily, and Tennessee horse flower.
- The futuristic concert venue "Jay Pritzker Pavilion" was designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gary. It is named after a family that became widely known for owning Hyatt hotels. There are 4,000 main places for visitors. The large lawn can accommodate an additional 7,000 people.
The Millennium Park in Chicago regularly hosts musical performances and concerts in various genres, from classical to modern bands. Exhibitions of artists and sculptors from all over the world are also organized in this place, and this allows Chicago residents to study the art of other countries without leaving their city.
How to get
The nearest metro stations are Lake and Washington. If you take the Metra Electric District train, you need to get off at the Millennium station, which is located opposite the park. Bus routes 6, 143, 147, 151 also run near the Millennium Park in Chicago. You can arrive by private/rented car, and ample parking is provided for visitors. If none of the methods is suitable, you should call a taxi.
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