Monday, January 13, 2014

Garfield Park Conservatory

One of my most visited places in Chicago is and always has been the Garfield Park Conservatory. While I enjoy all of Chicago's many cultural offerings; museums, art galleries, outdoor venues, etc. none keeps me coming back as much nor as consistently as the Conservatory. Starting over 30 years ago, I've brought people from all over the world there over the years.

I have no memory of when I first started going there, I just know it was sometime before my son was born, so that's going on 30 years I'd say at the least. When my son was quite young and I'd go there, the squirrels would run up to greet us at the door. It was quite deserted in those days. Now, it's well on it's way to becoming one of Chicago's big cultural draws. I think the only thing holding it back will be the fact that it's outside of the major tourists spots and in a neighborhood best described as dicey; although gentrification is actually moving that far west.

I have never felt the least bit threatened in that neighborhood The Conservatory itself seems like a "free zone;" whereas it's in the hood but not really of it. So I tell people about it and go their without trepidation, especially now with it being populated more and more.

I was there a couple of days ago with a young friend of mine and her 6 month old baby. We sat outside and enjoyed the breeze from nearby trees on a very, very pleasant summer afternoon in Chicago. There were no crowds to fight against, no commercialism to fend off, nothing to really spend money on. I find it a little oasis in the middle of this big metropolis that offers a piece of nature in all its glory.

The building itself was built in 1909 and designed by Jens Jensen. It's really a fabulous place if you're a nature lover living in the city. They are having more and more activities that invite in families and tourists. Last summer, I went on a July evening and enjoyed their huge, open backyard, with the goats there and activities for kids. After nightfall, there was a really great fire dancing show that was quite a site to see. Love all the new energy coming to the place and transforming it. On the other hand, I'm a bit nostalgic for the days when I could pull up right in front of the building and park right there on the street. This can sometimes still happen, but when I see their list of events on their newly redone, sophisticated website, I realize that it's moving in the direction of becoming a major cultural (tourist) attraction that will bring MONEY into the city, bah humbug.