CHICAGO— The first thing people do with public art is climb on it. So says Harriet F. Senie, an art history professor at City College in New York and author of several books on public art, and her point is illustrated by what's happening in Chicago's Millennium Park. There, the Burnham Plan centennial pavilion by Amsterdam architect Ben van Berkel and his UNStudio will close this week for desperately needed repairs. Since it opened June 19, both children and adults have clambered over the structure, which now resembles a beaten-up jungle gym.

Meanwhile, the other Burnham pavilion — a podlike structure by London architect Zaha Hadid that opened last week — is having its own problems with park-goers, who have stepped onto its ground-hugging fabric walls, leaving footprint marks. To protect both pavilions, park authorities are considering railings, increased security, and “Do Not Climb” signage.

Read more at the Chicago Tribune.