Award
2019 Honor Award
Site
Chicago, IL
Category
Design
Landscape Architects
SmithGroup
Project Details
The year 2018 marked the 50th Anniversary of the first ever Special Olympics Games, held at Soldier Field. In celebration, Special Olympics partnered with the Chicago Park District, who made a high-profile site on Chicago’s historic Museum Campus, adjacent to Soldier Field, available for the development of a public plaza to become the home of the Eternal Flame of Hope.
SmithGroup has long valued being a part of the local community and jumped at the opportunity to work with Special Olympics on an endeavor that would touch not only local citizens, but Special Olympics athletes and supporters across the globe. SmithGroup teamed with renowned sculptor Richard Hunt to create a monument and surrounding space that is reflective and inspirational, giving visitors feelings of courage, love, determination, and respect.
The Eternal Flame of Hope is not only a powerful and meaningful symbol for Special Olympics athletes around the world, but it also acts as the physical flame from which the Special Olympics torch is lit for events across the United States.
The sculpture was created by the late, Chicago-native and prolific sculptor, Richard Hunt (1935-2023)