The Chicago Park District is set to receive $1.2 million in federal funding to upgrade a section of the Jackson Park lagoon path, which connects the future Obama Presidential Center with the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and the Osaka Garden. The funding comes from the federal Community Project Funding program and will be used for repaving, installing surveillance cameras, lighting, and wayfinding materials along the path.
Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa spoke at an event in Jackson Park announcing the project. “This funding is going to be critical to improve access and connectivity here in Jackson Park,” Ramirez-Rosa said.
The improved path will start at the Museum of Science and Industry’s east parking lot and pass by its south portico entrance, which is scheduled to reopen next year after a $10 million renovation. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly credited museum officials for their role in securing the grant: “if they didn’t do the work, it wouldn’t be here.”
Chevy Humphrey, CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry, emphasized collaboration between institutions. “There will be a great thoroughfare and a partnership with the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, so we’re wanting to connect everyone together,” Humphrey said.
Humphrey also clarified that none of these funds would go toward ongoing renovations at the museum’s portico, as those are already fully funded.
Designs for improvements have not yet been released; park officials stated that planning will begin now that funding has been secured.
The Clarence Darrow Memorial Bridge—which links the east and west sides of Jackson Park south of the museum—will not be included in this project. Ramirez-Rosa noted that repairs to this bridge fall under a separate initiative managed by the Chicago Department of Transportation. The bridge has been closed since 2013 after being deemed unsafe.
“Because the Darrow Bridge is not in service, we need to have safe throughput to both institutions [the Obama Center and museum] as well as Jackson Park,” Humphrey said.
Louise McCurry, member of the Jackson Park Conservancy and former president of its advisory council, highlighted historical significance: “The lagoon path was the way that people who came to the World’s Fair in 1893 connected from the music court to the rest of the park.” She added that restoring it “means people can come and connect.”
Some local residents expressed mixed feelings about project priorities. A father and daughter using a muddy section of path welcomed repaving efforts but questioned whether resources might better address other needs like repairing Darrow Bridge. The daughter said she uses this route occasionally but rarely sees neighbors on its eastern side except during cherry blossom season.
Other area projects benefiting from Community Project Funding include repairs to 100th Street bridge over Calumet River ($850,000) and signage installation at South Side Metra stations ($250,000). This funding program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
During her remarks Monday, Kelly acknowledged recent violence near Jackson Park by wishing recovery for five people injured in last week’s mass shooting near its southern edge. Officials confirmed no grant funds would go toward improvements on that end of Jackson Park.
