Garfield Park is located on the west side of
the Chicago neighborhoods and is a mix of greenery and
city life. Since the 1950's a complex of hospitals, two expressways and
the University of Illinois at Chicago have encroached on
the area, but the greatness of this Chicago neighborhood
lies in its foliage. Garfield Park's namesake park, all
180+ acres of it, was designed by world-renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen. Both the park and lagoon are located just
north of the Eisenhower Expressway between Trumbull and Washington.
The Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N. Central Park
Ave) is the neighborhood's claim to fame, offering a free trip for those
in need of some 4.5 acres of botanical wonder. It was opened in 1908,
contains exotic plants, flowers, cacti, and trees, and is known as one of
the world's largest enclosed gardens.
Each year the Chicago Parks District features five
flower shows at the Lincoln
Park and Garfield Park Conservatories. The
Discovery Area provides entertainment for children with green thumbs. You
can also get your Blues fix at Bossman Blues Center (3500 W. Lake St.)
On the El, take the Harlem/Lake Branch of the Green Line west to
Conservatory-Central Park Dr.
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