Gold Star Families Memorial and Park

Gold Star Families Memorial and Park

Client

Chicago Police Memorial Foundation / Chicago Park District

Size

5 acres / $3.6M

 

Collaborators

David Woodhouse Architects

Graf/x Communication

McHugh Construction

     

2008 Honor Award (Design) - Illinois Chapter ASLA

;
;
;
;
;

Gold Star Families Memorial and Park

Chicago, Illinois

 

Honoring Chicago police officers who have died in the line of duty since the founding of the department in the 1830s, this memorial also recognizes gold star families suffering from this loss.

The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation commissioned this memorial in Chicago's Burnham Park - with the goal of developing the finest law enforcement memorial in the nation. The memorial was also envisioned to serve as an attractive park setting that integrate with the waterfront environs. Our professionals served as the lead of a multi-disciplinary team to complete this legacy project.

The design incorporates stainless steel pylon entry features, pedestrian walkways, a memorial wall, “virtues and values” gardens highlighting the four police characteristics (service, family, courage, honor), and a large central gathering space for use in an annual candlelight vigil and Father’s Day services. The heart of the memorial is the sacrifice space - a circular outdoor room defined by a wall, enclosing a circle of trees with the names of 460+ officers inscribed in a band of black granite.

Related Work

   
Mission Hills Senior Living Project Mission Hills Senior Living McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center Project McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center Children’s Museum of South Dakota Project Children’s Museum of South Dakota