Many Americans today tend to believe that Chicago is among the top cities that have developed and used its territory wisely to create not only comfort for its residents but also amazing and great possibilities, with the new era of technology and architecture. Windy City, that is how Chicago is nicknamed, had extended its territory drastically, especially the territory of downtown. The city now is full of amazing glass skyscrapers which may be seen almost from all parts of the city. This amazing city annually welcomes millions of tourists, who come to see and discover the best Chicago attractions from all parts of the world.
First and foremost, the heart of Chicago, Millennium Park was not as beautiful as it is now, the territory of the park for decades was considered as an industrial wasteland had rapidly transformed into a piece of art, an ideal place to have a rest and enjoy spectacular views. In fact, the place which is a new public space for residents and one of the top visited places in Chicago from 1850s till 1997 was controlled by the Illinois Central Railroad. Common sense seems to dictate that such a place could not be used as a railroad, but Daniel Burnham, who was a visionary Chicago leader, had his own plans for that territory. Burnham valued this territory as it was between Chicago downtown and Lake Michigan, and later on developed the Grant Park in order to use it for railroad tracks.
What is more, the battle for Grant Park and its territory had not stopped since 1977, Mayor Richard M. Daley was the brave one who had convinced the Illinois Central Railroad to donate the territory of railway station back to the city and inspired the designers and architects to create a public park, in 1997 his dream came true. Nowadays, it is called Millennium Park, and it is a fantastic place that had changed over the years. In comparison to Grant Park, the Millennium Park’s territory is much bigger than it used to be and has 24, 5 acres (Reiss,1). If you look from the sky, you may notice a tear that is called Cloud Gate. It is a huge and massive sculpture that reminds of a brain, it is well polished so the individuals can see in it both reflections of sky and Chicago skyscrapers.
Furthermore, the territory of the park constantly changed, Cindy Pritzker decided to add a creative and modern design, so she reshaped the park’s design and made it contemporary aesthetic. Later on, Twin Gargoyles were created, the towers that are made of glass bricks and broadcast the faces of Chicagoans. Moreover, the twins are actually the fountains that pour water from the mouths of faces and make a pool.This project made all Chicago dreamers to visit the park, especially children who enjoyed the complete magic.
All things considered, Grant’s Park evolution did not stop, more and more people wanted to make a contribution to Millenium Park,and soon it became the most popular park in Chicago, the place where people can relax, feel freedom and have fun. There are no railway trucks anymore, and now Millenium Park is a modern achievement of Chicago, that shared the history of the cityas well as became the icon of the city, that will be never forgotten.
Works Cited
Reiss, Dawn. “Ten Years of Millennium Park History”. Michigan Avenue, 2014. Web. 20
