10-Aug-19 – Two acres of Streeterville have been reclaimed for a public park. Bennett Park, part of the 70-story One Bennet Park residential tower development on Illinois Street, was officially opened to the public on Tuesday.

Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, the landscape architecture firm that created Maggie Daley Park and The 606 trail, Bennett Park includes a central lawn, children’s playground, large sandbox, seating, stroller parking, and two dog runs.

Curt Bailey, president of Related Midwest, developer of the park and tower, called Bennet Park “a gift for Chicagoans.”

“Bennett Park,” he said, “has transformed two acres of the neighborhood into a beautifully designed, dynamic public green space for all generations.”

(Above) A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday to officially open Bennett Park. Cutting the ribbon are, left to right: Nick Millot, Vice President of Development at Related Midwest, Senior Vice Presidents Don Biernacki and Ann Thompson, Deborah Gershbein, President of Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly, and Curt Bailey, President of Related Midwest. Holding up the ribbon are students from Guidepost Montessori in Streeterville.

“Each space within the park functions as its own room, yet connects seamlessly through the landscape, providing a variety of welcoming spaces and ever-changing scenery throughout the seasons,” said Laura Solano, principal at Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. “It truly will be an escape within the city.”

Bennett Park and One Bennet Park were named for Edward Bennett, a Chicago architect who co-authored the 1909 Plan of Chicago with Daniel Burnham.

The park will be open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The dog areas will be open to the public 24 hours a day.