Millennium Park (Chicago, Illinois)

 park, interesting place

201 East Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 742-1168
www.millenniumpark.org/

Millennium Park is a public park in located at the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is a prominent civic center near the city's Lake Michigan shoreline that covers the 24.5-acre (9.9 ha) northwestern section of Grand Park. The area was previously occupied by parkland, Illinois Central rail yards, and parking lots. Planning for Millennium Park began in 1997, construction began in 1998, and the park was opened in July 2004. It had a cost of $482,000,000. Many critics have praised the completed park and it received awards for accessibility and green design. It sits atop a 2,218-space parking garage and Millennium Station. The park has free admission and is open every day of the year from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m..

The primary features of Millennium Park include the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, AT&T Plaza and Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink, Park Grill, Harris Theater, Wrigley Square, McDonald's Cycle Centre, Exelon Pavilions, Boeing Galleries, and Chase Promenade. It is connected by the BP Pedestrian Bridge and the Nichols Bridgeway to other parts of Grant Park.