Urbanize Green Spaces for the Masses
This post is divided into various parts that include traditional Parks, Gardens, Garden Walks, Doggie Parks, and then Greenspaces that included street cafes and People Spots
I begin with a video ....
This WTTW video highlights how Chicago neighborhood parks were the answer for urban dwellers.
Kerfoot Park
photo and text via Constructing Chicago
by Daniel M. Bluestone
It began with S.H. Kerfoot ...
S.H. Kerfoot was not only a known horticulturist but a
one of the saviors of property re-recognition after the Great Chicago Fire of
1871 (most of the property records were destroyed during the fire). When 17
year old Kerfoot moved to Chicago he was hired by a real estate company that
was owned by James Rees, the same person who co-owned Lake View Hotel along
with Elisha Huntley (his original home).
When a park was for meant for prize shooting
The Chicagoan 1930
This post is divided into various parts that include traditional Parks, Gardens, Garden Walks, Doggie Parks, and then Greenspaces that included street cafes and People Spots
I begin with a video ....
A landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted believed that public parks could
serve as meeting grounds for people of different backgrounds and economic means
that could be played out in a rich diversity of ways.
Urban and regional parks could serve
Urban and regional parks could serve
Some Background
images - Chicago Park District history section
The Parks/Gardens of Lake View:
'In the early 1850's, a park movement emerged in Chicago, when visionary citizens began to rally for the creation of
the nation's first comprehensive park and boulevard system. A physician, Dr.
John Rauch led a successful protest to set aside a 60-acre section of a public
cemetery as parkland, marking the beginnings of Lincoln
Park Chicago
Kerfoot Park
by Daniel M. Bluestone
His
property was very near from one of the
original resort/hotels in the township that was to be named Lake View Hotel by
1854. By 1857 the founding fathers of the area would call thIS area Lake View Township.
half of stereotype image - Calumet 412
An Historical Account
An Historical Account
Read more about the life of
Samuel H. Kerfort in 1896
Mr. Rees, Elisha Huntley, and S.H. Kerfoot would use the
hotel and the park/garden space to attract visitors from Chicago to vacation and
buy property around there properties, an area that was known by the 1870's for it’s county-like breezes
from the lake. In fact, the hotel was located off a bluff over-looking the lake
for decades until late 1880’s when a roadway was constructed along the
lake shore to be called Sheridan Road, but that is long story and for another blog post.
Sharpshooter ParkWhen a park was for meant for prize shooting
This hunting area officially called Schuetzen Park and was located along the North Chicago River and Clybourn Avenue general area. The area was established in 1853 and at the time located in both in the old township of Ridgeville
(Lake View & Evanston township combined 1850-1854) and the Township of Jefferson. Western Avenue was the borderline between the two townships from 1854-1887, hence part of the history of Lake View to be share. The park space location west of Western Avenue was to be the future sight of Riverview Amusement Park originally named Riverview Sharpshooter Park.
(Lake View & Evanston township combined 1850-1854) and the Township of Jefferson. Western Avenue was the borderline between the two townships from 1854-1887, hence part of the history of Lake View to be share. The park space location west of Western Avenue was to be the future sight of Riverview Amusement Park originally named Riverview Sharpshooter Park.
The Germans of the area loved their sport and apparently the North Chicago River area was dense of forest with wild life.
The following are articles will give insights of its attraction to the once dominate ethnic group in the Chicago.
The Evolution of a Park
A Gathering in 1866
It was a two day outing
(click on article to enlarge)
Picnic with a Hunt 1867
(click on article to enlarge)
The Socialists
have a gathering in 1880
have a gathering in 1880
(click on article to enlarge)
Bowling and Shooting in 1886
(click on article to enlarge)
Picnic and shooting in 1891
District of Lake View - Chicago
The Location as of 1894
Western Avenue was the western border between former Jefferson Township and the City of Lake View - both annex to the City of Chicago in 1889
a zoomed view below
images - Sanborn Fire Maps 1894
Green Spaces of All Kinds:
Western Avenue was the western border between former Jefferson Township and the City of Lake View - both annex to the City of Chicago in 1889
images - Sanborn Fire Maps 1894
A 'Central Park' for Lake View
The Sisters of Good Shepherd Property
We could have had a couple acres of park at one time!
We could have had a couple acres of park at one time!
A 1966 Article
How conventional park spaces began
In the early 1850's, a park movement emerged in Chicago, when visionary citizens began to rally for the creation of the nation's first comprehensive park and boulevard system. A physician, Dr. John Rauch led a successful protest to set aside a 60-acre section of a north-side public cemetery (Chicago Cemetery) as parkland that marked the beginnings of Lincoln Park, the park.
The first official urban public park in the City of Chicago was located at Hull House on South Halsted Street in 1897.
Poster of opener
Lincoln Park Expands Northward
The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of 1905 show the proposed park along the lakefront to be called Belmont Yacht Harbor.
Poster of opener
Lincoln Park Expands Northward
The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of 1905 show the proposed park along the lakefront to be called Belmont Yacht Harbor.
Sanborn Fire Maps that depict the plans for Belmont Harbor which was open to the public in 1913
Between the years 1900-20 of Lincoln Park greatly expanded with creation of Diversey Harbor, Belmont Yacht Harbor in 1913 and the start of landfill for Montrose. Ernest Burgess created a concept that each neighborhood of Chicago should have their own park land available for residents in 1929.
1908 Residents of the District of Lake View
Petition for Parkland
Working class citizens demanded open space during this time period that was closer to their homes and workplaces (manufacturing plants along the North Chicago River and Fullerton Avenue) other than along the lakefront.
That same year in 1908 Wrightwood Park, located in the new District of Lake View, was created from an old clay pit that was currently used as a ice pond as the Sanborn Maps show below. Clay Pits were used for the manufacturing of bricks for streets and dwellings. A number of pits were located in this area in the 19th century.
Gross Park on Henderson designed by Samuel E. Gross who had an ornate park space in mind for working class citizens of his subdivision. This concept would be repeated almost a century later by Mayor Richard Daley with the construction of green-space medium strips throughout the city.
As of 2012, CPD is the steward of over 7,700 acres of open space, totaling more than 570 parks, 31 beaches, 50 nature areas, and 2 world-class conservatories and host of thousands of special events, cultural, nature, sports and recreational programs. The Chicago Park District still remains the nation's leading provider of green space and recreation.
That same year in 1908 Wrightwood Park, located in the new District of Lake View, was created from an old clay pit that was currently used as a ice pond as the Sanborn Maps show below. Clay Pits were used for the manufacturing of bricks for streets and dwellings. A number of pits were located in this area in the 19th century.
Sanborn Fire Map 1894
Sanborn Fire Map 1923
In 1910 the Northwestern Elevated had a garden contest along their tracks from Belmont Station through the Ravenswood Line (Brown) hence creating a concept of green space on a very local level other than grand boulevards and established parks. One can say garden walks may have stem of this idea. Also in 1910 when Lake View was referred to as a district within Chicago, there was a park listing by the Daily News Almanac under 'small parks' there was a green space called Gross Park on Otto Street - Otto Street was renamed Gross Park on Henderson designed by Samuel E. Gross who had an ornate park space in mind for working class citizens of his subdivision. This concept would be repeated almost a century later by Mayor Richard Daley with the construction of green-space medium strips throughout the city.
General Area of the Park
zoomed view of the green space
Sanborn Fire Maps 1923
The Chicago Park District received substantial funds through President Roosevelt's (WPA) Works Progress Administration for park improvements and programs. In the late 1940s, a Ten Year Plan led to dozens of new parks including a progressive school-park concept. In 1959, the system expanded again, when the City of Chicago transferred more than 250 parks, playlots, sanatoriums, and beaches to the Chicago Park District. As of 2012, CPD is the steward of over 7,700 acres of open space, totaling more than 570 parks, 31 beaches, 50 nature areas, and 2 world-class conservatories and host of thousands of special events, cultural, nature, sports and recreational programs. The Chicago Park District still remains the nation's leading provider of green space and recreation.
Greenview Avenue just north of Roscoe
In 1993 the City of Chicago drafted a plan of action.
The City Space Plan presented their key findings and recommendations of a
comprehensive effort for creating
and preserving open spaces in an urban landscape.
image - National Archives and Records Administration
Although the first sandlot opened in Boston in 1886, the playground movement didn't begin to develop until the mid-1890's, when playgrounds were opened in nine major cities including Chicago. After that owners of 'settlement houses' or local civic groups opened 'open vacant spaces' called playlots, often modest dirt lots, on land donated or lent by philanthropists. A wide coalition of child-saving reformers including social settlement house workers, progressive educators, and child psychologists urged municipal governments to construct playgrounds where the city's youth could play under supervised and controlled conditions.
1937 Donation of property
for playlots
1940 Status of Playlots
in Lake View
1945 Police lead organizations
for Playlots
for Playlots
1966 A Neighborhood Association
Petitioned for a Park
(click on article to enlarge)
1969 A Coal Yard
into a Parkground
into a Parkground
(click on article to enlarge)
1971 A New Park
Sheridan Road & Broadway
Sheridan Road & Broadway
Lake View is fortunate to have four playground parks and
eight playlots within its neighborhood borders. Most playlots are associated
with existing playgrounds for means of administration and maintenance.
These following park spaces are classified as
park grounds
with a size of 5 to 25 acres in size.
Lincoln Park
(link to another post)
During the time of Lake View Township the area north of Fullerton Avenue was part of the township ...
(link to another post)
During the time of Lake View Township the area north of Fullerton Avenue was part of the township ...
'Band Concert Lincoln Park Chicago'
image - New York Public Library
From 1869-1889 Lincoln Park was administered by a board
of commissioners from both the City of Chicago and the Township of Lake View.
Before the annexation of 1889, Lake View Township's southern border was
Fullerton Avenue except a small and narrow portion of the lakefront that the
State of Illinois granted to the City of Chicago in 1869
(Fullerton to Diversey) but still administered by both
city and township administrations. Currently, there is a park within a park at Lincoln Park parallel to Roscoe Street on the
other east side of LSD called Arthur Telscer Memorial Playground. Read more about the connection between Lake View and this park within my post called 'Sharing Lincoln Park.'
The City Public Parks in Lake View
1972 - Gill Park
2014 - Margaret Donahue Park
2018 Google Map View
referred by the kids as 'Blue Park'
photo - Chicago Park District
In the mid-1960's, the South Lake View Neighbors
Association began to push for a playground in their crowded community. In 1966,
the Chicago Park District agreed to create a new park at the corner of N Lakewood Avenue and W Wolfram Street. Using both city Park Improvement Bond
funds & U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Grant Funds, the
park district purchased the property two years later. Before long, the new park
was equipped with basketball and volleyball courts, playground apparatus, a
sand box, and a spray pool. In 1969, the park district recognized residents'
efforts by naming the site South Lake View Park. Subsequent improvements include
a 1993 playground rehabilitation. As of 2018 the patrons of the park were looking for private funds to renovated this less than an acre space. Before that it was a coal yard called Clark Coal & Company per this 1950 Sanborn Fire Map below.
and it final demise in 1958 after its abandonment
photo below - Time Out Chicago
photo - Pinterest
Lois Klein Park was created by the Chicago Park District
in 2010 after several years of planning and land acquisition. Designed by the
Hitchcock Design Group, the park has a whimsical playground. In 2011, the
Chicago Park District’s Board of Commissioners named the park in honor of Lois
Klein, a neighborhood activist who inspired members of the Lake View community
in the 1980's and 1990's. Born and raised in Chicago Lois Klein (1931-1997) lived
for over 30 years just two blocks from the site that now bears her name. During
her life, she made many positive contributions to her neighborhood by
participating in community meetings and volunteering for the local alderman’s
office.
However, the bulk of her energy was focused on helping children. For
many years she volunteered at two local schools, John J. Audubon Elementary
School and St. Andrew School. Ms. Klein’s concern about neighborhood children
prompted her to advocate for safety improvements to address the dangerous
intersection at Lincoln Avenue Addison Street, and Ravenswood Avenue. She rallied the
community to petition for improvements at the intersection. Ironically, in
1997, Lois Klein was struck by a car at that very intersection. Due to Ms.
Klein’s tragic death, the intersection was soon modernized and made safer for
pedestrians.
Gill Park honors Lake View resident Joseph L. Gill (1886--1972), a Chicago Park District Commissioner, and local Democratic party leader. Gill served as 46th Ward Democratic Committeeman for more than 60 years. He was chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee from 1950 to 1953, and is said to have engineered Richard J. Daley's first nomination for mayor in 1955. Gill served the public in various capacities, including as controller of the Forest Preserve District beginning in 1919, as Illinois state representative from 1926 to 1930, and as clerk of the Municipal Court for most of the subsequent three decades. In 1960, Mayor Daley appointed Gill to the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners. Gill was serving as park district vice president at the time of his death in 1972. Two years before, the park district had decided to establish a recreational facility on West Sheridan Road in the densely-populated Lake View neighborhood. By 1972, the site had been acquired with the help of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and plans had been developed for a multi-story field-house with a swimming pool, a gymnasium, and an assembly hall. Neighbors refer to the impressive structure as the "high-rise field-house." The park district installed a new soft surface playground at Gill Park in 1991. The park once surrounded one of last SRO's in Lake View called the Chateau Hotel.
Plans in 1970
photo - Gill Park Basketball
outside park area
2012 photo - Adriane P. via Yelp
photo - Kieth H. via Yelp 2013
Gill Park is trying to get a face lift due to the sale and renovation of the Chateau Hotel as of 2014
Sheil Community Center honors the memory of Archbishop
Bernard J. Sheil (1886-1969), pastor at Lake View's St. Andrew's Catholic
Church for more than three decades. A supporter of ecumenical efforts and of
the rights of racial minorities and laborers, Archbishop Sheil was often
referred to as "the friend of the little guy." His interest in young
people led him to found the Catholic Youth Organization in 1930. Sheil
Community Center is located in the heavily-populated Lake View neighborhood, on
land once occupied by the Hanson Laundry Company. The Chicago Park District
purchased the property in 1973, demolishing the laundry plant. In 1975 the park district broke ground for a field-house with a
gymnasium, a craft-shop, & club rooms.
Margaret Donahue Parkonce referred to as School Street Park
The Chicago Park District has worked closely with the
School Street Advisory Council, Alderman Thomas M. Tunney of the 44th ward and the Chicago Cubs
on the development of a new park in the Lake View community. The $1.2 million
park includes a major playground installation. The advisory council formally
requested that the new park be named in honor of Margaret Donahue (1892 –
1978), one of the first women executives in major league baseball. The Chicago
Park District Board of Commissioners complied with the request, and the park
was officially named in 2014. Born on a farm in Huntley, Illinois, she moved to
Chicago at the age of 16 to find a job as a secretary. In 1919, with only one
year of high school a year of secretarial training, and a brief position at a
laundry, Donahue was hired as a stenographer by William Veeck, President of the
Chicago Cubs (and father of longtime Cubs owner Bill Veeck).
photo - Chris Gent Landscaping Studio
At the time, the
only other woman who worked for the Cubs was the team’s bookkeeper. That woman
soon left, and Donahue took over, performing as both secretary and bookkeeper.
She quickly took over many responsibilities including ticket sales, stock
transfers, providing press passes, and handling gate receipts for other Wrigley
Field events such as Chicago Bears professional football games. Before long,
she was traveling with the Cubs. In 1926, Veeck promoted Donahue to corporate
secretary, an unprecedented role for a woman in the major leagues at that time.
She brought many innovations to professional baseball such as season tickets,
providing off-site ticket locations, and selling reduced priced tickets for
children. When Donahue was promoted to vice president of the Chicago Cubs in
1950, she was the first woman in this role in the major league to have come up
through the ranks. Donahue retired in 1958, prompting Phillip K. Wrigley to
issue a proclamation describing her as a “nationally acknowledged authority on
the intricacies of baseball rules and regulations.” When Donahue died in 1978,
she was eulogized by Jack Brickhouse / WGN.
Margaret Donahue Park - 2015 photos
photo - Chicago Historical Schools
a community shared park space
within the property of the Chicago Schools
Chase Park
formerly known as Gunther Park
4701 N Ashland Avenue
photo - YouTube
photo above - Yo Chicago
photo below - Running to Globe
Some History ...
Sanborn Fire Maps of the location
1928 view when Our Lady of Lourdes Church when the building was located east of Ashland Avenue
1950 view view when Our Lady of Lourdes Church when the building was moved west of Ashland Avenue
Neighborhood of Uptown
4701 N Ashland Avenue
photo below - Running to Globe
Sanborn Fire Maps of the location
Our Lady of Lourdes students walk from the clubhouse along Ashland Avenue in 1944. The park district allowed the students access to the building after a school fire.
Welles Park
Neighborhood of North Central
photo - Pinterest
photo - Eric Rojas' Blog
photos - Green Parent Chicago
photo - DNAinfo
photo - TimeOut Chicago
Future and Past
photo - DNAinfo
1946 of the corner of Montrose and Lincoln Avenue
both photo - Ravenswood-Lake View Community Collection
These following public green spaces are classified as playlots that average between 0.5 to 1.5 acres in size.
Playlots are administered by a park supervisor of
an existing nearest neighborhood park. Let's begin with a vintage lot...
1938 - Hermitage Avenue Park (same as Helen Zatterberg)
once located on Pine Grove and Brompton Place
with some articles from 1949
article #2
The List of Playlots as of 2017
1938 - Hermitage Avenue Park (same as Helen Zatterberg)
1950 - Merryman Playlot Park
1952 - Wendt Playlot Park
1954 - Kenmore Playlot Park
1958 - Evergreen Playlot Park
1973 - Juniper Playlot Park
1973 - Wieboldt Playlot Park
1970's Martin Playlot Park
2012 - Space Park
2019 - AIDS Garden Chicago
2019 - AIDS Garden Chicago
Juniper Playlot was once called Greenview/Waveland Baby Park per this 1963 headlline photo
from the Lincoln-Belmont Booster Newspaper
Wendt Playlot Rehab in 2013
A sample of a play-lot's renewal and re-dedication
This playlot earned the approval of the city park district in 2012 to renovate the space as well as a re-dedication that following year. The first dedication was in 1991.
old is gone waiting for the new equipment
The design plan was chosen
by the neighborhood association
new equipment and new cement in place
The 'suits' were there!
Photos below are vintage playlot photos
when it was just a near vacant lot
photos 1980's - George GEO
"back in the late 80's when the park was first converted from a run down empty space to the new and improved version, there was a party and dedication to celebrate... there was an effort made by the Wendt family to have the park named in his honor and they did some fund raising ( as I remember ) to cover expenses of the conversion that were not covered in the Park District budget ( like the front gate and fence, among other items )... his wife and daughters that survived him spoke at the dedication." - testimonial from 'GEO' 2014
'Space Park' on Roscoe
photos via Triangle Neighbors Association
a pamphlet for the new park
The Final Product ...
AIDS Garden Chicago
to be located in Lincoln Park at Barry & Lake Shore Drive and near the existing Belmont Harbor parking lot
photos via Triangle Neighbors Association
The Final Product ...
AIDS Garden Chicago
to be located in Lincoln Park at Barry & Lake Shore Drive and near the existing Belmont Harbor parking lot
2018 Google Map view
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
'The mission of the AIDS Garden Chicago is to create and
maintain a garden space for reflection and education about the AIDS Epidemic.
The Garden honors those that have passed and those that have survived, and
celebrates the heroes of the AIDS Epidemic and their ongoing work to eradicate
HIV/AIDS.The AIDS Garden will be built along the Belmont Rocks, a space the gay
community would gather at since the early days of Chicago's LGBT movement. The
Rocks were about claiming the right to be, to exist, to gather outside and to
be out of the shadows and the closet. The AIDS Garden seeks to help preserve
that memory and to honor the history of HIV/AIDS in Chicago. It is fitting to
create a garden in that Belmont Rocks space.
Since the early days of gay movement, the Belmont Rocks were a place to
call our own. The lakefront stretch of stone and grass from Belmont to Diversey
harbors was a public space Chicago’s LGBTQ community claimed from the 1960's
through the 1990's. This was more than a frequented area. The Rocks were a
political statement tied to our liberation, a symbol of our right to be here,
our right to exist, and our right to gather outside and in the sunlight at a
time when our bars still had blackened windows.
Community happened along this undesirable strip of uneven limestone
blocks. Relationships and friendships happened here, hook-ups, unions,
memorials, picnics, cookouts, dance parties, and rallies. Artwork covered many
of these stones. At the Rocks, people lay in the sun, watched the sunset before
going out, and sat to watch the sunrise after the bars closed. In 2003 the
Belmont Rocks were bulldozed and removed as part of a revetment project to
safeguard against shoreline erosion. The Rocks themselves may be gone, but this
portion of the Chicago shoreline will forever remain a place of celebration,
joy, and remembrance in the pre-AIDS era and the throughout darkest days of the
epidemic.' - Aids Garden website
My favorite garden with a historical story along with it
Then there is a green space on Sheridan Road and Lake Shore Drive called Sheridan Triangle Garden. Although
owned by the CTA this 'garden park-like' space is managed by the volunteer residents who reside near by as a non-profit.
photos from their website
'About six years ago, Weinberg, a resident of 3800 N. Lake
Shore Drive, started the nonprofit after she was given the keys to the shack by
a resident of 3900 N. Lake Shore Drive. Inside was, as Weinberg described it,
"floor-to-ceiling CTA junk, metal chairs and old-fashioned Christmas
bulbs. "Weinberg and a few hardworking volunteers, including a city police
officer and 46th Ward Ald. James Cappleman, cleaned out the shack and started
planting perennials, trees and shrubs in the garden. Weinberg said the
nonprofit volunteers also hang up Christmas lights that still are lit now, plus
change the decorations for Halloween and spring.'
from an article from DNAinfo 2017
photos - Sheridan Triangle Garden
The Annual Spring Clearing & Cleaning in 2017
photos by me
a planning discussion by the shed
a new look for the garden below
the initial design changed - the tree has been removed for a another designed then planned ...
My Facebook page, LakeView Historical supports this space - a non-profit organization for two reasons ....
1) the voluntarism involved in the creation of a wonderful green space along the inner drive and ....
it has history
A 1869 University of Chicago map of northern part of Pine
Grove (Lake View East) subdivision that shows the hotel
2) it marks the area location of the Lake View Hotel - the hotel/resort that served as a meeting place for potential real estate investors and homeowners from 1854-1890ish. The Kerfoot property mentioned in the beginning of this post was located just north of the Lake View Hotel. Mr Kerfoot garden space was apparently along Irving Park Road & Halsted Street near the existing shoreline of the lake.
3) I have a petition to the 46th Chicago Ward office to petition the Landmark Commission to safeguard and existing garden space that was a block away from the hotel.
edited map - Google Maps
Written by me for a local historical association
The Dedication Ceremony at the Garden in 2019
This image compiled by me
for my Facebook page ...
Warner Garden Parks
a private garden much like Sheridan Triangle Garden that is supported the Graceland West neighborhood of Lake View.
Lakeview Community Garden
established in 2017
photos - their Facebook page
Gallagher Way by Wrigley Field
a green space to gather
This image compiled by me
for my Facebook page ...
a private garden much like Sheridan Triangle Garden that is supported the Graceland West neighborhood of Lake View.
In the late 1990’s, NeighborSpace, a non-profit
organization devoted to creating community open spaces in Chicago, established
a passive park with a perennial garden in an under-served area of the Lake View
community. The organization named the 14-acre site the Warner Garden because
it is located on Warner Avenue. The Chicago Park District has a long-term lease
with NeighborSpace for this property. The organization and neighborhood want to
retain the long-used 'Warner Garden Park' name.
established in 2017
a green space to gather
2017 photo - Southport Corridor News and Events
'Sitting in the heart of Wrigleyville, the Park at Wrigley
offers a beautiful open-air destination for farmers markets, community events,
festivals, dining and much more. The Park at Wrigley serves as Wrigleyville’s
town square
- a year-round gathering place for neighbors, families, fans and
visitors. There’s room to stretch out at the Park at Wrigley - with
a flexible space for festivals, concerts and neighborhood celebrations. Check
back often to see upcoming cultural celebrations, food and wine festivals,
concerts and more. Like Wrigleyville itself, the Park at Wrigley has something
for everyone.' - their website
2017 photo - Southport Corridor News and Events
2017 photo below - CBSChicago
2017 photo below - CBSChicago
2019 photo below - Chris Cullen
the sponsors ....
This park space was the creation of a community association called Hawthorne Neighbors and the Chicago Public Schools with the assistance of the 44th Ward of Chicago. Funds for this park space were from private sources.
The Garden Walks:
A Garden View by 'L' in 1910
- Chicago Tribune 2011
An 'L' Garden view at 3649 N Sheffield Avenue
'Garden Walks give visitors whether they are gardeners or not, a chance to find inspiration and beauty. For gardeners, of course, these treks can bring a bounty of new ideas, as well as an opportunity to talk shop with fellow enthusiasts. Our listing here includes a great variety of walks throughout the Chicago area, and even beyond. Unless otherwise noted, these walks typically are held rain or shine.'
page 2
segment 3
segment 4
About a resident of Lake View from the same article
The property of S.H. Kerfoot of Lake View is noted in the article and highlighted separately. A couple of notes, Lake Shore Plank Road refers to the first LSD along the lakefront and Graceland Avenue refers to Irving Park Road. The word 'plank' was just that - a wooden plank over earth.
Gardens along Diversey in 1901
segment 2
segment 3
A Lake View Garden Walk in 1957
(click on article to enlarge)
Lake View Citizens Council
awards & prizes in 1958
awards & prizes in 1958
Lake View sponsors in 1960
July 10: 2005: The 10th Annual Lake View Garden Walk showcases more than 75 gardens including container,
back-yard and parkway gardens in the Central and
East Lakeview neighborhoods. The tour is anchored by public gardens at Hawthorne Scholastic Academy, 3319 N. Clifton Ave., and The Nettelhorst School, 3252 N. Broadway. Cost: free. Hours: noon to 5 pm www.lakeviewgardenwalk.com was the website address
2010 photo - Garry Albrecht
Garden Walks has had one continuous success in one community in Lake View called West Graceland located in an area of spatial houses and suburban-like property. The West Graceland residents began their 'walk' in 1972. According to the organizers having three gardens per block is the bare minimum.The entire neighborhood of Lake View has had a spotty reputation since its inception in 1995. According to the article posted by Garpers Block contributor, Patrick Boylan, “the reason not to have more neighborhood venues is the time of year. It's mid-summer, the gardens should be well watered from a continuing series of storms in late June and they should be at a glorious height of color. The issue in late June & also in mid-July is one of choice. There are far too many well established garden walks in other parts of the city and are all crowded in a few weeks and some of the largest take place at the same time each year.
The Graceland West Garden Walk
one of the only continuous 'walk' in Lake View
one of the only continuous 'walk' in Lake View
A West Graceland Community Garden
a privately owned space
photo - Graceland West Association
The Graceland West Community helps maintain a park of its own called the Warner Park and Gardens. Lois Buenger, Chicago Public Schools special education teacher, mortgaged her home in 1987 to acquire the property at 1446 West Warner for her neighborhood. Read some of the reviews of this venue by Yelp!. 
photo - Graceland West Association
3 2017 photos - Garry Albrecht
A Neighborhood Greenway:
image via 44th ward
To my knowledge the last successful
Lake View Walk occurred in 2010 on a Sunday. It was the 13th annual event for the entire neighborhood of Lake View. That event featured over 100 garden spaces with trolley service. The event was sponsored by Central Lake View Merchants Association and local neighborhood associations.
“We've listed all the garden walks we know of through
mid-July. Missing is the Lake View Garden Walk. Last year it had nearly 100
gardens. This year? Who knows if it is even happening? The web site hasn't been
updated and the group won't return messages.” - Gapers Block
The Greenscapes:
Illinois Masonic Hospital Complex
a wall of green
image - Google
A Neighborhood Greenway:
a Greenway on Berteau Avenue in 2013
The Green-Ways Along Berteua Avenue
Neighborhood 'greenways' are routes that are quiet streets with low traffic volumes that are made even more bike-friendly by using methods to minimize the number of cars, reduce their speed and make bicyclists and pedestrians more visible. Different cities have different names for this concept – bike boulevards, community corridors, and the like. No matter what you call it, the goal is to make the street safer for everyone. The first Green-Way on the north-side will be created on Berteua Avenue for the community of West Graceland/East Ravenswood in Lake View. In 2012 Lake View got creative with green space along with the rest of the city. Call them communal green spaces or people spots..
The Roscoe/School Greenway
This Greenway as of the summer of 2018 is under discussion with the Hawthorne Neighbors Association who is responsible for this area of Lake View. Below are some of the images of the project via the 44th ward office - Tom Tunney
New to Chicago but not the nation
particular in San Francisco - they call them parklets
People Spots was a novel idea that
created addition green space for folks to just hang-out
particular in San Francisco - they call them parklets
People Spots was a novel idea that
created addition green space for folks to just hang-out
photos - Lake View Patch
along Southport Avenue south of Addison
photos - Garry Albrecht &
Southport News & Events on Facebook
A Doggie 'green spot'
A Chicago approved 'spot' was in the works late 2019. The first location was on near the Barry underpass and the outer Lake Shore Drive. The new location is off Briar Place and inner Lake Shore Drive. Apparently, while approved by the city the new park will be financed by private donations.
photo above - Chicago Block Club
the first planned location below ...
Curb-Side 'green' Cafes:
very few examples
the first planned location below ...
very few examples
El Nuevo Mexicano Curb-Side Cafe
photo - DNAinfo
Wood Chicago
photo - their Facebook
and below Coda Di Volpe from their Facebook
Cemeteries
a place to still gather
a place to still gather
'The picnic-and-relaxation trend can also be understood as the flowering of the rural cemetery movement. Whereas American and European graveyards had long been austere places on church grounds, full of 'memento mori' and reminders not to sin, the new cemeteries were located outside of city centers and designed like gardens for relaxation and beauty. Flower motifs replaced skulls and crossbones, and the public was welcomed to enjoy the grounds.' ... Read more from the link to the title.
No Post Note:
Important Note:
These posts are exclusively used for educational purposes. I do not wish to gain monetary profit from this blog nor should anyone else without permission for the original source - thanks!
These posts are exclusively used for educational purposes. I do not wish to gain monetary profit from this blog nor should anyone else without permission for the original source - thanks!
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