Chicago Park District

Belmont AIDS Garden 

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The Chicago Park District has designated space near Belmont Harbor for a new AIDS Garden. The site sits at the original location of the Belmont Rocks – an area where the local LGBTQ community gathered between the 1960s and 1990s. The garden’s mission is to pay homage to those who lost lives to HIV/ AIDS and Chicago’s efforts to combat those afflicted with the disease, as well as provide an educational element about its current fight.

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The 2.5-acre garden located along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, just south of Belmont Harbor, highlights a 30-foot-tall sculpture designed by the late artist and activist Keith Haring and donated to the Park District.

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As a subconsultant to Design Workshop, VES is providing electrical engineering services, including site lighting for the pathway flowing from an oval composition around the sculpture. The lighting will define the primary circulation route that unifies the spaces of the garden.

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The AIDS Garden is slated to be a public space that will bring together a diverse group of individuals supporting this Chicago landmark. 

Project Facts

 

Location:  Chicago, IL

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Completion:  Est. Summer 2021

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Size:  2.5 Acres

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Market:  Sports/Recreation

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Services:  Electrical Engineering