Science & Nature

What’s Next for Grant Park? Park District Is Putting It to a Public Vote

Chicagoans are invited to vote on the next improvement to the city’s front yard, Grant Park.

Will it be bathroom upgrades, a redesigned dog park or picnic tables and benches?

As part of the Chicago Park District’s participatory budgeting process, a steering committee reviewed a number of project ideas for Grant Park and narrowed them down to the three finalists above. Now any resident 13 years or older can help choose which option moves forward.

Through Sept. 30, people can vote online or in-person at the fieldhouse of either Maggie Daley Park or the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens.

For reference, the bathrooms and dog park are situated on the park’s south end, near tennis and pickleball courts. The price tag for these projects might exceed the dollars available this year; if either is the top vote-getter, it will roll over to 2027 for full funding, officials said.

All of the finalists are in synch with the Grant Park framework plan, released earlier this year. While the framework was full of bold ideas, officials noted that initial undertakings would focus on adding functionality. To inaugurate the plan, the Park District rolled out movable seating at Buckingham Fountain this summer.

The Grant Park participatory budgeting process is separate from the one for the Park District as a whole and is funded through revenue from large events that take place at the park, such as Lollapalooza.

Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]

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