Gold Medal Park
In 2006, the City spurred the development of an 8-acre public park along the Mississippi Riverfront through a unique public-private partnership involving the City, a private foundation, and the Guthrie Theater. The park provides an expansive swath of green space in the historic Mill District neighborhood and creates vital connections to the nearby Mississippi River.
Highlights of Gold Medal Park include:
- Over 300 mature, large-caliper trees planted.
- A landscaped 32-foot high observation mound, with a spiral walkway leading to the top, provides sweeping, panoramic views of the Mississippi River and architectural and cultural landmarks in the area—the Stone Arch Bridge, the Guthrie Theater, and the Gold Medal Flour sign.
- Undulating pathways leading through the park mimic the flow of the river and lead park-goers to and from the Riverfront.
- A long stretch of linden trees lining the 2nd Street boulevard creates a natural border for the park and provides a pleasant pedestrian walkway to the Guthrie Theater.
The park has helped leverage and support nearby residential developments and is a key attraction in the burgeoning Mill District neighborhood, which includes the Guthrie Theater, Mill City Museum, Mill City Farmers Market, MacPhail Center for Music, and the Chicago Avenue Mall.
Parks