Burnham Wildlife Corridor

The Burnham Wildlife Corridor (BWC) is a 100-acre ribbon of urban wilderness running through Burnham Park. The corridor is composed of multiple natural areas including the Burnham Centennial Prairie, Burnham Nature Sanctuary, and McCormick Bird Sanctuary, among others. 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 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 DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

View the Gathering Spaces Map

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
• Bronzewood (formerly the site of Sounding Bronzeville)
  Lead Artists: Chicago Park District
  Community Partner: n/a
• Sankofa for the Earth
  Lead Artists: Arlene Turner Crawford, Dorian Sylvain & Raymond Thomas
  Community Partner: South Side Community Art Center  

For questions or information on Burnham Wildlife Corridor group bike rides, transportation, parking, and ADA accessibility, please contact Ted Gross, Program Specialist at Edward.Gross@chicagoparkdistrict.com. For other questions regarding Chicago Park District Natural Areas, email nature@chicagoparkdistrict.com. 

Help keep wildlife wild, safe, and healthy by following posted signage and Natural Areas Rules and Regulations.