The migratory birds are starting to nest in the area, but their nests don't look like those found in trees. That's because purple martins, which spend their winters in South America, now rely almost entirely on man-made nests when they arrive each spring. 

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday announced plans to improve Chicago's lakefront and add recreational amenities at select parks across the city. 

The Chicago Park District board unanimously approved an admission hike for the Lincoln Park museum on Wednesday, citing the museum’s lack of admission increases over the past 10 years. 

Designed by famed Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, the 61,000-square-foot structure was first a 19th century stable, later housing theatrical costumes and sets in the 1930s. But now it looms, cold and vacant, across the street from its sister, the DuSable Museum of African American History – another Burnham original which has tried unsuccessfully for more than 10 years to bring the empty stable back to life.  

After more than a month of trials and tribulations, including an unseasonably warm December and apparent vandalism, the Wicker Ice outdoor skating rink is set to open—weather permitting—this Sunday, Jan. 17.

Chicago residents will have to shell out even more to see Sue the T.rex come January.

Along a busy stretch of Western Avenue on the North Side of the city is the newly opened West Ridge Nature Preserve. The 20-acre park includes woods, wetlands, walking paths and a 4.5-acre pond. Jay Shefsky goes for a tour. 

Along a busy stretch of Western Avenue on the North Side of the city is the newly opened West Ridge Nature Preserve. The 20-acre park includes woods, wetlands, walking paths and a 4.5-acre pond. Jay Shefsky goes for a tour. 

One of the most sizable redesigns of the Chicago lakefront is underway at Fullerton Avenue beach, and the change is predicted to be eye-popping. By next summer, everyone passing through the area will have a lot more breathing, sunning, and picnicking room. Chicago Tonight's Eddie Arruza has the story.

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the credit ratings of both Chicago’s schools and parks, one day after its downgrade of the city’s debt to junk status.

The Force is not with George Lucas’ Museum of Narrative Arts. A federal judge ruled today that a lawsuit intended to block construction of the museum on Chicago’s lakefront can move forward.

The Chicago Park District voted to approve a plan for public parkland on the south side to be transferred to the city.

The Chicago Park District has turned to DNA testing to see if dogs are to blame for high E.coli levels. We talk to the head of Chicago's beaches to see if it's safe to swim.

The city and ecologists are close to finishing Chicago's newest park – an ecologically diverse habitat on what was once Meigs Field. We'll talk to two planners involved with Northerly Island's transformation.

The City of Chicago's lawsuit against the Chicago Park District and the owners of the Park Grill in Millennium Park is in its second week in the Daley Center. Check in for the latest developments. 

We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile of a basketball team you won't forget. Read an article and view a photo gallery.