Image Source: http://blog.hotelsclick.com/2017/09/best-hotels-near-millennium-park-chicago/
Millennium Park or the "front lawn" of downtown Chicago is an extraordinary public park. It has an interactive park with a bunch of activities for each age group. It includes attractions such as the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Cloud Gate, the Crown Fountain, the Lurie Garden, and several others. The Millennium Park has received several awards for accessibility and design.
Image Source: http://millenniumparkfoundation.org/places/map/
Despite its location, it managed to take me away from the hustle-bustle of the city. According to many studies, views to nature reduces stress levels in an individual which fosters healing. Chicago's Millennium Park has many features of healing environments. Firstly, it is a roughly a 25 acre park which is designed in a way to promote physical activity. Secondly, spaces like the Jay Pritzker Pavilion allow people to gather together, which enables people to experience social support. Thirdly, it allows people make choices - stroll along the quiet lush green Lurie Garden or watch kids play in the Maggie-Dailey Park. Fourthly, it has views to nature and features acting as positive distractions. Each of these four aspects are part of Ulrich's Theory of Supportive Garden Design. It also has many other features of healing environments. It is an accessible park which has multiple walking paths, giving users a greater sense of control and choice. It has different kinds of seating spaces - stone steps, wooden logs, and benches to name a few.
Physical Activity
Multiple Seating Options
This public park gave me the opportunity to have a multi-sensory experience - the sounds of chirping birds, water, the rustling of leave and even kids playing; the changing tactility from the steel BP bridge to the wooden log seating; and a variety of scenic space. To add to my experience, it also made me feel energized when I looked at the kids running around on the BP bridge and playing in the park. I also see this as a place where I would like to come for a stroll during a lunch break in the work week. The only thing I wish this park would have is more covered seating spaces and walkways.
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