The History of Millennium Park

Tuesday is Millennium Park’s 20th anniversary. With free events slated from July 18 to 21, let’s take a look back at the origin story of the city’s iconic public park.

The Beginnings

Millennium Park opened in July 2004. It was built on the site of old railroad tracks City Council granted to the Illinois Central Railroad in 1852, which was also used later as a parking lot. Mayor Richard M. Daley first announced a plan to build a park in 1998 after convincing the railroad to donate the land rights.

Construction began that year with an opening date of summer 2000, hence the name “Millennium” Park. When the park was finally finished four years behind schedule, it was also way over budget. City officials expected the project to cost $150 million — but the final price tag was about $490 million.

The Park and All Its Fixings

The 24.5-acre park is home to various sites and attractions. The iconic Cloud Gate, or “The Bean,” was completed after the park opened. Architect Frank Gehry designed the Jay Pritzker Pavilion to distribute sound waves evenly throughout the space. The lush Lurie Gardens take up 3.5 acres in the park.

Millennium Park and the Future

What does the future hold for the park and its visitors? Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot first instituted a ban on unaccompanied minors after 6 p.m. in 2022 after a weekend of violence that left one teen dead. Three years later, that policy is still in effect, despite initial opposition from Mayor Brandon Johnson and pushback from park advocates. Parkgoers must also enter through checkpoints and undergo metal detector and bag checks.