PARKWAYS FOUNDATION & CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT RECEIVE $1,250,000 GRANT FROM TIFFANY & CO. F OUNDATION
Release Date: 09/26/08
Parkways Foundationis pleased to announce The Tiffany & Co. Foundation awarded a $1,250,000 grant for the creation of “The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Celebration Garden” in Grant Park. Working in conjunction with the Chicago Park District for the historic preservation and urban beautification of Chicagothroughout the City’s parks, Parkways will transform Grant Park’s south rose garden into a formal garden and event space adjacent to Buckingham Fountain. This is the highest visibility park space in the City of Chicagoas Buckingham Fountain is the second most visited attraction in the city. The garden is scheduled to open fall 2009.
“Parkways is grateful to the Tiffany & Co. Foundation as this garden is now part of the great legacy of philanthropic gifts to Chicago’s parks,” said Brenda Palm, Executive Director of Parkways Foundation. “This is a tremendous gift to the city as the garden will be for all to enjoy, and a place where families and friends will celebrate memorable occasions.”
This is one of three grants awarded by The Tiffany & Co. Foundation totaling $2,750,000. These grants reflect the expansion of the Foundation’s urban parks program to major cities nationally, originating with the Foundation support of New York City’s urban parks through the Battery Conservancy and Friends of the High Line.
“As one of the most generous capital grants ever awarded to the Parkways Foundation and the Chicago Park District, this partnership is a great example of how public-private partnerships work to innovatively fund Park District projects,” said Timothy J. Mitchell, General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District. “We are very grateful to The Tiffany & Co. Foundation for including Chicagoas part of their commitment to enriching urban environments through investing in parks.”
Visitors to the garden will process down a ceremonial promenade bordered by an abundance of roses and shaped evergreens. A graceful pergola marks the center of the garden and highlights views of the city’s most beloved treasures: Buckingham Fountain, Lake Michigan, and the historic facades of Michigan Avenue. The formality of the garden pays homage to the majesty of its location and creates an elegant outdoor ‘room’ in which citizens can mark the important moments of their lives.The garden was designed by Douglas Hoerr of Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects.
“We are thrilled to support the Parkways Foundation to achieve their goal to beautify a garden within Chicago’s famous Grant Park. The new formal garden will be designed for all visitors to enjoy as a place to relax and celebrate those special moments,” said Fernanda Kellogg, president of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation. “This is our first major grant in Chicagoand it is an honor to be a part of such a well-loved place in this city. We hope the garden, with its formal landscaping, becomes an equally cherished jewel of the city.”
About Parkways
Parkways Foundation is the philanthropic partner of the Chicago Park District. Since its inception in 1994, Parkways Foundation has been funding park projects all over Chicago. The foundation has raised millions of dollars toward historic preservation and restoration, programming initiatives and environmental enrichment.
About The Tiffany & Co. Foundation
Established in 2000, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations working in two main program areas: environmental conservation and the decorative arts. Within the environmental conservation program, the Foundation supports the issues of responsible mining, coral reef conservation and environmental & cultural preservation. In addition, the Foundation promotes design excellence by supporting organizations that enhance the field of the decorative arts. For more information on The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, please visit www.tiffanyandcofoundation.org- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529