Washington Park Becomes Nature Oasis on South Side

As part of a multi-million dollar renovation project, the Chicago Park District (CPD) began restoration work last fall on a degraded wetland in Washington Park.

The district removed invasive plants from the three-acre wetland, regraded the area to better conform to the original landscape, and built a pathway and boardwalk. This May, they will begin planting native species including sweet and blue flag, common arrowhead, and a variety of bulrushes and sedges.

The CPD graded another eight acres of the park in preparation for planting native woodland and prairie species this spring.

"The community has always wanted to have environmental education at this park," said project manager Elizabeth Koreman, "but the natural areas were not in good health." Beginning this spring at Washington Park, the district's Nature Oasis Program will help "children of all ages" experience the wonder of nature in the city through day-camp field trips, school field trips, and family programming. This year, Gompers, Humboldt, Jackson, and Washington Parks will offer such programming.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Wilderness recently honored the CPD with its Conservation and Native Landscaping Award, for the district's work at South Shore Nature Sanctuary (CW, Fall 2001). "These are places of respite for people and wildlife alike, and we need to preserve and expand upon nature in Chicago," said Chicago Park District General Superintendent David Doig.

— Alison Carney Brown