Location:
7901 S. Farragut Dr.
Chicago, IL 60649
Features:
Prairie, Savanna, Birding Area
Hours Notes
Natural areas are open from dawn to dusk daily.
Description
Park 566 is a 70-acre park space that was once the site of U.S. Steel's South Works facility. This area is currently undergoing a major restoration process in which activities include controlling invasive plants, planting native wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs, and conducting controlled burns. The natural area at Park 566 provides critical habitat and a place for people to explore and enjoy nature along Chicago's southern lakefront.
Connectivity is one of the most important considerations in any park development project. As situated, the project site is part of the Chicago Lakefront system of parks that form a greenway of public open space visited annually by millions of people. While paths at the site are currently gravel and mowed grass, the aim is to develop a trail system of accessible and soft-surface nature trails to form a network that more cohesively connects it with Rainbow Beach Park to the north, Steelworker’s Park to the south, and DuSable Lake Shore Drive to the west.
Help keep wildlife wild, safe, and healthy by following posted signage and Natural Areas Rules and Regulations. For questions regarding Chicago Park District Natural Areas, email nature@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
History
The Chicago Park District and the City worked together to acquire more lakefront property and the City acquired some former USX (United States Steel) lakefront property in two stages. Over 70 acres were transferred from the City to the Park District in 2011 and 2014.