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The Burnham Wildlife Corridor (BWC) is a 100-acre ribbon of urban wilderness running through Burnham Park. The corridor is composed of 3 main natural areas including the Burnham Centennial Prairie, Burnham Nature Sanctuary, and McCormick Bird Sanctuary. The corridor spans both sides of Lake Shore Drive, and is the largest stretch of natural area along Chicago’s lakefront. Its native prairie, savanna, and woodland ecosystems provide healthy, diverse habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, and offer opportunities for visitors to meaningfully connect to this revitalized public green space in ways that inspire nature exploration, enjoyment, and stewardship.  

 

 

The Burnham Wildlife Corridor is home to five unique "gathering spaces," which have been designed and created -- and will be activated -- by teams of local artists and community-based organizations from the Chinatown, Bronzeville, and Pilsen neighborhoods. The BWC Gathering Spaces are artistic installations and seating areas, reflective of nature and culture, that serve as assembly grounds and resting points for people exploring this part of the lakefront. They are located on both the east and west sides of Lake Shore Drive.

The five gathering spaces are:

  • Caracol
    Lead Artists: Georgina Valverde, Diana Solis & Jose Terrazas
    Community Partner: Contratiempo
  • La Ronda Parakata
    Lead Artists: Hector Duarte & Alfonso "Piloto" Nieves
    Community Partner: Casa Michoacan
  • Set in Stone
    Lead Artists: Andy Bellomo & Anna Murphy
    Community Partner: Chinese-American Museum of Chicago
  • Sounding Bronzeville
    Lead Artists: Fo Wilson & Norman Teague
    Community Partner: Bronzeville Community Development Partnership
  • Sankofa for the Earth
    Lead Artists: Arlene Turner Crawford, Dorian Sylvain & Raymond Thomas
    Community Partner: South Side Community Art Center  
     

View the Gathering Spaces Map