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Chicago’s most famous front yard could be headed for a major glow-up. A newly finalized 20-year framework plan for Grant Park lays out an ambitious wish list of upgrades—from long-awaited public bathrooms to new pedestrian bridges over DuSable Lake Shore Drive—aimed at renewing how locals and visitors use the lakefront green space.
The Chicago Park District’s “Chicago’s Front Yard Reimagined 2026” plan comes after years of public meetings and outlines both near-term tweaks and big-picture ideas that could roll out in phases over the next two decades. While there’s no official timeline or price tag yet, the proposals aim to create a park that’s easier to navigate, more comfortable to linger in and better connected to Lake Michigan.
One of the most immediate changes is surprisingly simple: movable seating around Buckingham Fountain. The willow-green chairs, inspired by Paris gardens and sponsored by Lollapalooza, are expected to debut this spring and are meant to encourage longer visits and impromptu picnics.
The headline addition for many parkgoers? Permanent public restrooms. The plan calls for multiple facilities across Grant Park, including near Queen’s Landing, at a proposed welcome center in Congress Plaza and throughout South Grant Park. Leslie Recht, president of the Grant Park Advisory Council, said she hopes those basics move forward quickly alongside upgrades to areas such as the dog park, according to Block Club Chicago.
The “Historic Core” around Buckingham Fountain could see some of the most dramatic changes. A proposed deck-over would allow pedestrians and cyclists to travel directly to the lakefront without crossing traffic, with DuSable Lake Shore Drive dipping below in a tunnel envisioned as a light-filled, art-forward space. Congress Plaza could also be redesigned to reduce car traffic and prioritize people walking and biking.
Farther south, the framework introduces a new playground, expanded landscaping and a reimagined Lower Hutchinson Field that would function as festival grounds but remain open for everyday recreation. A green corridor dubbed the Forest Line would add trees, paths and new crossings over the Metra rail lines to improve north-south movement through the park.
In North Grant Park, Butler Field may eventually trade baseball diamonds for a sculpture garden and open lawns, though officials say more evaluation is needed. Another proposed bridge near the harbor would create a traffic-free connection to the lakefront trail.
Along the water, the plan envisions breaking up large lawns into smaller “park rooms” with seating, art and food kiosks, plus at least two more bathroom facilities.
“Grant Park is the crown jewel of Chicago’s world class park system,” Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said in a release. Whether these ideas become reality, though, will depend largely on funding and future partnerships.