Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Park District today announced Maggie Daley Park has received the TripExpert Experts' Choice Award for Attractions. TripExpert selected fewer than 2 percent of worldwide attractions based off of more than one million expert reviews from travel guides, magazines, newspapers and other respected sources.

“Maggie Daley Park is part of the cultural fabric of Chicago, and is one of many reasons that Chicago has become a top global destination for visitors around the world,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Chicago’s parks, playgrounds and recreational spaces downtown and in neighborhoods across the city create a richer quality of life for all of our residents and a more enjoyable experience for everyone.”

With positive reviews from reviewers such as Fodor's and Condé Nast Traveler, Maggie Daley Park is one of the highest ranking attractions in Chicago on TripExpert. Maggie Daley also received TripExpert's Best of Chicago award.

“Maggie Daley Park brings together residents and visitors from near and far to enjoy recreation and relaxation downtown,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Michael P. Kelly. “Parks like Maggie Daley help to make our city strong, and help build vibrant neighborhoods where our families can live, work and enjoy all of the opportunities that Chicago has to offer.

Maggie Daley Park’s 20 acres boasts signature elements like rock-climbing sculptures, an ice-skating ribbon and a three-acre play garden. At nearly a quarter of a mile long and 20 feet wide, the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Skating Ribbon can hold up to 700 skaters at a time. The Malkin-Sacks Rock Climbing Wall covers a total surface area of 19,000 square feet and can accommodate bouldering, lead-harnessed and top rope climbing for beginners and advanced climbers. The Play Garden, which covers three acres in the southeast section provides diverse opportunities for fun, adventure, exploration and learning for children of all ages. Up to 600 children can play in this feature at one time. The park also features the Blue Cross Blue Shield Great Lawn.

TripExpert awards outstanding hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions around the world based on expert reviews from 85 different publications. The third annual Experts’ Choice award considered more than 400,000 hotels, 1.5 million restaurants, and 300,000 tourist attractions. Approximately 2.5 percent of hotels, 0.5 percent of restaurants and 1.5 percent of tourist attractions were selected this year.

Mayor Emanuel recently reaffirmed his commitment to building out public spaces like Maggie Daley Park. As part of his Building on Burnham plan to invest in the Lakefront, the Chicago River, natural areas and recreational opportunities in neighborhoods across the city, he announced that 985 acres of parks have been acquired and 5.5 miles of waterfront access have been developed, and plans to acquire additional parkland and further develop the waterfront will continue.

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