Our Impact

From annual reports that detail our progress to the awards and recognition that celebrate our commitment, this page is a reflection of the work we’ve done and the lives we’ve touched.

Explore how the Foundation continues to inspire, inform, and elevate through measurable outcomes, meaningful partnerships, and moments captured in the media.

Annual Reports

Our annual reports provide a transparent look into the Foundation’s work, impact, and financial stewardship each year. Dive into the highlights, milestones, and stories that shaped our efforts and guided our mission. Click the links to explore or download each report.

Please contact us for Annual Reports earlier than 2017.

Awards & Recognitions

Millennium Park, members of its Board of Directors, its designers, architects, engineers, and staff have all been recognized and honored by a variety of professional organizations since its opening in 2004. A comprehensive list is shown below.

2020
- Landmark Award presented by American Society of Landscape Architects
- Silver Medal presented by Large Urban Parks AwardWorld Urban Parks
2017
- Ten-Year Award, Crown Fountain presented by American Institute of Architects, Chicago Chapter
- Best Continued Use, Lurie Garden Friends of Downtown (Chicago, IL)
2015
- Advocate of the Arts Award: Mayor Daley and John Bryan presented by Grant Park Music Festival
- Urban Open Space Finalist presented by Urban Land Institute
2014
- Advocate of the Arts Award: Frank Gehry presented by Grant Park Music Festival
2013
- Advocate of the Arts Award: Donna LaPietra presented by Grant Park Music Festival
2009
- Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence, Silver Medal presented by Rudy Bruner Foundation
- Gold Award for Excellence: Lurie Garden presented by Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architecture
2008
- Professional Award of Excellence, GGN: Lurie Garden presented by American Society of Landscape Architects
- Extraordinary Welding Award-Cloud Gate presented by American Welding Society
2006
- Excellence in Urban Design presented by American Institute of Architects
- Divine Detail Honor Award: Crown Fountain presented by Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
- Distinguished Buildings: Citation of Merit; Crown Fountain presented by Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
- Outstanding Civil Engineering Award presented by Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers
- Honorable Mention: Exelon Pavilions North presented by ASHRAE Technology Awards
- Regional and Urban Design Honor Award presented by American Institute of Architects
- Technology Award Honorable Mention presented by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
2005
- Engineering Excellence Award: Structural Systems presented by American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois
- Barrier-Free America Award: Edward K. Uhlir presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Award of Recognition presented by Chicago Association of Realtors
- Chicago Innovation Award Honoree presented by Chicago Sun Times
- International Economic Development Partnership Award presented by International Economic Development Council
- Prix d’Excellence Award, Leisure Category presented by International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI)
- Prix d’Excellence Award presented by International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI)
- Construction & Transportation of the Year Award presented by March of Dimes Annual Awards
- Intensive Industrial/Commercial Award of Excellence presented by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
- Project of the Year: Structures More than $10 Million presented by Illinois Chapter of the American Public Works Association
- Award of Excellence in Public/Private Partnership presented by Mayor’s Business Council
- Excellence Award: Crown Fountain presented by International Lighting Design
- Award of Honor GGN: Lurie Garden presented by Washington Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architecture
- Project of the Year presented by Hispanic American Construction Industry Association
- Engineering Excellence Award: Eminent Conceptor presented by Illinois Chapter of the American Civil Engineering Council
- Shapers of the New Chicago Award: John Bryan presented by The American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- LEED Silver Certification: North Exelon Pavilions presented by United States Green Building Council – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
- Award for Excellence: The Americas presented by Urban Land Institute
- Global Award for Excellence presented by Urban Land Institute
2004
- Patron of the Year: Millennium Park – John Bryan, Mayor Daley, Crown Family, Harris Family, Pritzker Family presented by Chicago Architecture Foundation
- Environmental Vision Award presented by Keep Chicago Beautiful
- Chicagoan of the Year Award: John H. Bryan presented by Chicago Tribune
- Special Service Award: Edward K. Uhlir presented by Society of American Registered Architects
- Illumination Design Award: Crown Fountain presented by Illuminating Engineering Society, Chicago
- Chicagoans of the Year Award: John H. Bryan presented by Chicago Magazine
- Public Recognition presented by American Society of Landscape Architects – Illinois Chapter
- Excellence in Engineering presented by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
- Construction & Transportation of the Year Award presented by March of Dimes Annual Awards
- Project of the Year, Landscaping: Crown Fountain presented by Midwest Construction Magazine
- Award of Merit (Cultural) presented by Midwest Construction Magazine
- Owner and Developer of the Year: PBC presented by Midwest Construction Magazine
- Silver Medal: Bike Station presented by Association of Licensed Architects
- Distinguished Building Award for Green Architecture presented by Society of American Registered Architects
- Special Service Award: Edward Uhlir presented by Society of American Registered Architects
- Most Outstanding Spectacle: Millennium Park Gala presented by Special Events Magazine
- Public Recognition Award: Edward Uhlir presented by Northeast Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
- Best Public Space Design Award presented by Wallpaper Magazine
- Grand Award presented by American Council of Civil Engineering Companies
- Patron Award: Mayor Richard M. Daley presented by Cooper Hewitt Design
- Best Public Space presented by Travel + Leisure Magazine Design Awards
- Best New City Addition presented by Saint Louis Post-Dispatch

Media Publications

As Millennium Park holds its place as an icon of the city of Chicago, its architecture, public art, designers, artists, green roof, effects on tourism, urban green space, cultural placemaking and landscape garden design continue to be a focal point or theme in local, national and international media. Please note a collection of recent articles below. All rights reserved by their respective organizations.