Engineers:

McDonough Associates, Inc., B+A Engineers, Ltd.

Contractors:

Great Lakes Landscape Contractors

Other Consultants:

Halloran & Yauch

Category:

Public Constructed Project

Inspired by the time honored London square, Daniel Webster Park on the south end of downtown, mixes clearly defined spaces with striking lush greenery. The result is an elegant, modern park in the heart of the Central Station planned development just south of Grant Park. Since it is an integral part of the community, the developer was required to complete Webster Park and turn it over to the Chicago Park District before constructing any of the surrounding buildings.

As sole designer and coordinator for the project, the landscape architect was challenged with creating a park that would stand up to the scrutiny of this high profile neighborhood.

The focus of the park is a gently curved 50’ long pergola. The custom precast concrete columns and clear cedar top create a beautiful and durable structure. In front of the pergola is a large ornamental grass garden with narrow footpaths allowing entry and separation of the garden beds. The park’s central lawn is a precise oval shape, slightly domed and planted with groupings of large maple trees. At the edge of the park, informal beds of shrubs and perennials contrast with the otherwise strong structure of the area. Just outside these beds, iron fences and shade trees enclose the space, leaving distinct corner and center entrances to the park.

By requiring Daniel Webster Park to be a part of Central Station, the City of Chicago built landscape architecture into the planned development process. They also created a method of developing new parks at no cost to the taxpayer. Most importantly, they helped create a beautifully designed park that is the focus of this new, vibrant downtown neighborhood.