Design, Philanthropy Intersect at Chicago's Millenium Park

"The planning of the park developed from a very safe initial plan, which was an extension of the formal French Renaissance plan of Grant Park, into a plan of many visions of many architects, landscape architects, and artists, rather than a single vision. It has a variety of things to bring people together. Its public spaces are more interactive than any other public park in the country. It has unique programming, which we expand every summer. We’re trying to do programming all year now. And I think it’s the one space in Chicago that belongs to everyone; it’s the most democratic public forum in Chicago."

"We gave a chance to Chicago benefactors and philanthropists to contribute. As the park developed and the plans developed, we were able to demonstrate that this park would be special—an opportunity for people to make a contribution that their families could see for hundreds of years in the future. Chicago has a history of civic entrepreneurship and is very fortunate in that way; other cities are trying to figure out how we did it."