A Dealer Day in the Park

A few feathers got ruffled when a large section of Chicago's new Millennium Park was closed to the public because of a party for Toyota dealers.

It cost Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. $300,000 in rent and a $500,000 contribution to a park fund in order to use a portion of the downtown park, which opened this year to rave reviews.

The reception for dealers and corporate employees was the first time a big chunk of the showcase park was closed to the public. Several sightseers complained about barred access to the park that features modern statuary such as a giant, shiny metallic sculpture dubbed the Bean.

One Toyota rival saw the park's closing as a chance to stage a public relations blitz, according to the Associated Press.

While the Millennium was closed, General Motors offered free rides to other downtown attractions.