Windy city opens space on Great Lakes.Almost six months after Soldier Field • • [ and the surrounding campus reopened in Chicago, Ill., it is still attracting millions of people to its waterfront location. With the spring and summer seasons approaching, the area (which includes the Chicago Bears' football stadium) will experience an influx of people who previously were cramped in smaller parks throughout Chicago. Aside from the stadium, which is home to football games, concerts and special events, Soldier Field has always encompassed three museums including the Field Museum of Natural History Field Museum of Natural History, at Chicago, Ill. Founded in 1893 through the gifts of Marshall Field and others, it was first known as the Columbian Museum of Chicago and later (1943–66) as the Chicago Natural History Museum. , the Adler Planetarium The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum in Chicago, Illinois was the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere and is the oldest in existence today.[1] and the John G. Shedd John Graves Shedd (July 20, 1850 - October 22, 1926) was the second president and chairman of the board of Marshall Field & Company. Born on a New Hampshire farm, Shedd arrived in Chicago, Illinois in 1871 and began working as a stock clerk for Marshall Field. Aquarium. But the 70-acre site was never considered a recreational destination--unless you count parking spaces as an attraction. So when the Chicago Park District The Chicago Park District is the oldest and (financially) largest park district in the nation, with a $385 million annual budget. The park district also has the excellent reputation of spending the most per capita on its parks, even more than Boston in terms of park expenses per embarked on Chicago's largest public works public works pl.n. Construction projects, such as highways or dams, financed by public funds and constructed by a government for the benefit or use of the general public. Noun 1. project in January 2002, it decided it was time to use its land for what it was meant for--people, not cars. Part of the $606 million Lakefront Redevelopment Plan included building 2,500 parking spaces underground, thereby adding 17 acres of park and recreation land. "Parking lots are really underutilized and kind of an eyesore eye·sore n. Something, such as a distressed building, that is unpleasant or offensive to view. eyesore Noun something very ugly Noun 1. ," says Chicago Park District General Superintendent David Doig. The new green space includes a children's garden, a 33-foot sledding hill, and a winter garden that features seasonal evergreen trees and shrubs, plants with berries and pedestrian-friendly walkways. Doig says setting aside the open space is an example of a new wave of thinking for the Park District. Instead of designing manicured lawns and shrubbery that only encourage passive recreation, pathways, trails and open lawns are the new options for the district. And even though the district owns Soldier Field and reaps more than $10 million in annual income, it was not responsible for any up front costs of the renovation. The Chicago Bears and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority paid for the 18-month project. Since Soldier Field opened in September 2003, it has already hosted a variety of community events including a Halloween night. And once the weather improves, Soldier Fields' open space will be home to Chicago's races, marathons and other outdoor recreation events. For more information about Solider Field, log on to its Web site, www.soldierfield.net. |
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