Gold Star Families Memorial and Park

A concrete water wall with stainless steel screens and flowing water creates ever-changing images for those who visit the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park. The five-acre park was built to pay tribute to more than 520 police officers whose lives were lost in the line of duty since the Chicago Police Department was formed in the 1830s.

The Gold Star Families Memorial & Park Water Wall

The Gold Star Families Memorial and Park design of the water wall echoes the look of the park’s entrance pylons and the iconic checkerboard pattern used on the hat band of Chicago police officers’ uniforms. Sixteen large stainless steel screens are spaced in a checkerboard pattern in front of the poured concrete wall. The water flows behind the screens, seen only in the perforations. 

The water falls along the tapered wall into a basin to be recirculated. Fountain pumps, filters and related equipment are located in a mechanical vault on the east side of the water wall, in close proximity. Up lighting from the basin is used to obtain a “dancing” light effect on the screens, water wall and adjacent walls. Low-voltage recessed lighting is placed along the concrete wall, ramp, amphitheater seating walls, and stairs. The pool as the base of the water feature has a zero depth entry. There are a total of 12 discharge points and 12 fountain lights.