Chicago Breaks Ground on Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Park
The 3.5-acre project honors Chicago's first settler and concludes nearly four decades of planning delays.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Construction
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The Chicago Park District has officially broken ground on a new $15 million park located at 401 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The site will honor Jean Baptiste Point du Sable and his wife, Kitihawa, after plans were first set aside in 1987.
Why it matters
The park aims to provide a dedicated public space to recognize the city's first permanent non-native settler and his spouse. It integrates public art and improved accessibility to the lakefront for residents.
The 3.5-acre park project is funded by a $15 million budget. This includes $10 million provided by the development firm Related Midwest and $5 million sourced from Open Space Impact Fees.
The players
Chicago Park District
This is the municipal agency responsible for maintaining public parks and recreational facilities throughout Chicago.
Related Midwest
This is a prominent development firm that contributed $10 million toward the construction costs of the park.
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable
He was the first permanent non-native settler of Chicago and serves as the primary namesake for the new park.
The details
Designed by Ross Barney Architects and Brook Architecture, the park will connect to the city's Riverwalk and the lakefront trail. The space will feature dedicated art installations created by sculptor Branly Cadet and architect Rodney Leon.
Timeline
1987: Land was originally set aside for the park development.
2022: Ross Barney Architects and Brook Architecture were chosen as the design team.
October 27, 2026: The official groundbreaking ceremony took place.
Summer 2028: The project is currently scheduled for completion.
Market Landscape
The project follows the established mechanism of Chicago's Open Space Impact Fees, which utilize private developer contributions to fund public amenities. This model shifts the financial burden of city park development away from public coffers by leveraging private sector investment.
Residents can expect improved access to the lakefront trail and an expanded Riverwalk once the park opens in 2028. The development represents a long-awaited expansion of public recreational space in a central area of the city.
The takeaway
This project highlights how private-public partnerships can finally unlock long-stalled urban land development. Residents should track the 2028 completion timeline for updates on when the new waterfront access will open to the public.
Further reading
Learn more about local Construction initiatives and developments across the city.
Live Poll
Should local governments prioritize building parks that specifically honor community history?
