The 2.5 acre Lurie Garden is a surprising tranquil spot, due in large part to the 15-foot-high hedge that encloses it on two sides. The hedge protects the perennial garden from pedestrians, and is meant to symbolize Carl Sandburg's description of Chicago as the "City of Big Shoulders".
Along the east side is a hardwood footbridge runs over shallow, running water, which is very popular in the hot summer with people sitting on the edge and dipping in their toes.
