Lurie Garden will be closed to the public beginning March 2nd through early July
The garden is closing for major repairs to its water feature and boardwalk, known as the Seam. For the safety of our visitors, the garden will remain closed to the public until the project is completed. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to reoping later this summer.
This project is supported by the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation Endowment and Millennium Park Foundation.
Follow @luriegarden on Instagram for ongoing project updates.
More than just a walkway: The Seam within Lurie Garden’s design
Enclosed by the iconic Shoulder Hedge, Lurie Garden is divided into two interior “Plates” separated by a walkway known as the Seam. This corridor is where the past and future of Chicago exist face-to-face. On one side, the Dark Plate evokes the site’s wild history; across the Seam, the Light Plate celebrates the city’s bright future.
The Seam’s materials – stone, water, and wood – honor Chicago’s foundation. Its wooden boardwalk echoes the early sidewalks that once lifted the city out of its original marshy landscape. The orientation of the path reflects the hidden geometry of the city, aligning with th ehistoric retaining walls that originally separated the lake from the land.
Once, restored, the Seam will again invite visitors to sit and dangle their feet in the cool water – a peaceful place to relax and take in the garden’s vibrant community of plants and wildlife throughout the summer.