The Last Four Miles: Completing Chicago's Lakefront Parks

Citation of Merit

In accordance with Daniel Burnham's vision of a lakefront connected by pathways and open to the people, the architects set out to finish what was long ago started: Chicago's lakefront park and pathway. They focus on the northern- and southern-most ends—from Hollywood Beach to the edge of Evanston, and from 71st Street to Calumet Park. Jurors saw the plan as "important as a continuation of century-long progress to make the lakefront accessible as an open space and to help [surrounding] neighborhoods." The architects, according to their project statement, have created "a continuous lakefront park and path system, animal and plant habitats, beaches, peninsulas creating sheltered lagoons, active and passive recreation, and improved access."

Architect

BauerLatoza Studio, Topographis, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, Greene & Proppe Design Inc. (Design Team)

Client

Friends of the Parks

Consultants

AECOM (engineering)

Location

Chicago, IL