Cantigny Park, Project New Leaf – Phase 1

Project Scope

Project New Leaf, funded by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is a five-year multi-phase revitalization effort aimed at delivering a superior guest experience for Cantigny’s nearly 400,000 annual visitors, ensuring the park’s vitality for future generations.

Phase 1 improvements have been completed and include:

• Major infrastructure improvements including over 38,000 cy of earthwork, site utilities, sub-surface drainage, storm water management redevelopment, renovation and modifications to roads and pathways, and ecological native and wetland renovations
• Remodeled Visitors Center, including an expanded information kiosk, Bertie’s Bistro and a covered entrance for Le Jardin
• Redesign and redevelopment of the display gardens and Gold Pond area
• Red Oaks Farm playground and adjacent picnic pavilion
• 350 new parking spaces in the south lot
• Lighted walkways connecting main attractions and easy-to-navigate path surfaces
• Oak Colonnade stretching north-south from the Visitors Center to the First Division Museum
• Expanded gathering plaza around the Lion of Cantigny statue, with seating
• New restroom and visitor information building just south of the Visitors Center