Garfield Park Conservatory Breaking Ground on New Indoor Children's Garden

Groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of renovations for the 6,000 square-foot indoor garden

CHICAGO - Friday, November 22 at 10:00am, the Chicago Park District along with the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance will break ground on the Elizabeth Morse Genius (EMG) Children's Garden at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño, Alderman of the 28th Ward, Jason Ervin, other public officials and Park District staff will celebrate this monumental project.

"We are so excited for this immersive space to come to life," said Escareño. "At Chicago Park District we are on a mission to invest in the creation of children-friendly places that provide exploration of nature in this community."

The new garden will provide a free, year-round adventure for Garfield Park and other Chicago visitors. It will feature a slide, dig pit and toddler area, a nature art gallery and more amenities. There will be a dedicated space for visitors with sensory processing disorders and a wheel-chair accessible spiral ramp that will make its way up to the top of the historic glass roof, with a one-of-a-kind climber, specially designed for the Conservatory.

"As we strive to be the most inclusive campus for nature education in the United States, we are thrilled to bring this important resource to families in Garfield Park, Chicago and beyond" said Jennifer Van Valkenburg, President & CEO of the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance.

This greatly anticipated groundbreaking is a result of the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance's years-long campaign to raise additional funding that will inspire children to learn about nature through play.

In August 2024, the Park District's partner organization officially reached its goal of $4.6 million in private donations from numerous funders, including $250,000 that was matched by an anonymous donor. The total project construction is $10 million with the balance of funding from Illinois State grants, Tax Increment Financing and the Chicago Park District.

The renovated Children's Garden is expected to open in fall of 2025.