BrightView Helps Bring the Obama Presidential Center to Life

When the doors opened at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago in June, visitors experienced more than a landmark destination. They witnessed thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces that connect people, inspire reflection, and create opportunities for learning and engagement.

Behind those landscapes is BrightView.

As the landscape construction partner for one of the nation's most anticipated cultural projects, BrightView played a critical role in transforming the Center's vision into reality. 

From complex site preparation and grading to the installation of trees, plantings, hardscapes, and gathering spaces, BrightView teams worked alongside project partners to create an outdoor environment that welcomes visitors from around the world.

The scale and significance of the project required expertise, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

For Shelley Ryan, BrightView’s Operations Manager for the project, her latest work of art represents much more than another successful job site.

"Being part of the Obama Presidential Center has been an incredible experience and one of the most meaningful projects of my career," Ryan said. "Every member of our team understood the importance of what we were building. This wasn't just about creating beautiful landscapes—it was about helping create a place where people can gather, learn, and connect for generations to come. Seeing the vision become reality has been something our entire team takes great pride in."

Throughout construction, BrightView crews worked diligently to deliver landscapes that enhance the visitor experience while supporting the long-term sustainability and functionality of the site. The project showcased the skill, craftsmanship, and dedication that BrightView teams bring to complex, high-profile projects across the country.

The Obama Presidential Center joins a growing list of iconic destinations where BrightView's expertise has helped shape the outdoor environment. As visitors prepare to experience the Center for the first time, BrightView is proud to have played a role in creating spaces that welcome, connect, and inspire—demonstrating the power of great landscapes to bring people together and leave a lasting impression.