Milton Lee Olive Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Milton Lee Olive Park is a 17-acre park located on the lakefront in Chicago, Illinois.
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Summary
The park was named after Milton L. Olive III, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War.
One of the main reasons to visit Milton Lee Olive Park is its stunning views of Lake Michigan. Visitors can walk along the park's expansive shoreline and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The park also features a playground, picnic areas, and a small beach for swimming.
One of the most notable points of interest in the park is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which honors the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Vietnam War. The memorial features a bronze statue of a soldier and a wall with the names of all the Illinois residents who died in the war.
Another interesting feature of the park is the "Artists of the Wall" mural, which is painted by local artists every summer. The mural stretches along a concrete wall near the park's beach and is a popular attraction for visitors.
The best time of year to visit Milton Lee Olive Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the beach is open for swimming. However, the park is open year-round and offers beautiful views of the lake in any season.
Overall, Milton Lee Olive Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan and pay tribute to those who have served our country.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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