Midway Plaisance

Midway Plaisance is a linear park located near Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois approximately 5 miles from the downtown "Loop" area.

University of Chicago

In the 20th century, the Midway Plaisance was returned to a park-setting, under the plans of Frederick Law Olmsted. He hoped to create a Venetian canal between the lagoon systems of Jackson and Washington parks, but this part proved unfeasible. The land slopes downward from east to west and the proposed canals would drain Lake Michigan into Washington Park. The Midway has gradually become a part of the University of Chicago which expanded in 1926 to be located on either side of it. Later designers and artists, including Lorado Taft, and Eero Saarinen added or sought to add their vision to the Midway.

Related Topics:
Frederick Law Olmsted - University of Chicago - Lorado Taft - Eero Saarinen

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It has remained essentially a green area, a public resource subject to much speculation, and various and periodic plans of development.

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The sunken panels, home now to soccer players and a new ice skating and sports facility, the cross-street "bridges," and the east-west lines of trees, pay homage to Olmsted's vision.

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In 1999, a new master plan for the Midway Plaisance was unveiled by the University of Chicago and the Chicago Park District.

Related Topics:
1999 - University of Chicago

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