I run along the lakefront most weekdays. Anyone familiar with Chicago knows that Hizzoner loves his trees and flowers. Over the past couple of years, the landscaping in Grant Park has been becoming more and more elaborate. On the NW corner of Michigan and Roosevelt, there is a riot of purple, yellow, and orange that dazzles the eye. There are fantastically creative container plantings throughout the museum campus.
One of my favorites over the past year has been the grove of blue trees SW of the Buckingham fountain. These are a grouping of dead, bare deciduous trees, which are painted a bright blue, and arranged in rows surrounded by seasonal plantings. Today I noticed that they have been supplemented by coils of orange tubing, entwining itself through the trees, and around the entire garden area. It impressed me as though a Dr. Seuss landscape had come to life on the Chicago lakefront.
It may not be amazing enough to warrant a special trip, but if you are in the area, you might want to check it out. It is on the W side of Columbus, between Congrss and Balbo. As I said, if you were standing in the middle of the Buckingham Fountain, it would be diagonally to your SW.