Garfield Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

City Garden

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 28, 2024

1. City Garden Marker

Inscription. The name says it all... The City Garden integrates city, through and through. Urban hardy plantings, garden "communities" that meld easily one to the next, recycled bits of cityscape — this is a garden that has urban greening at its core. Its central feature is a giant ellipse, an oval form that borrows a bit of history — the site's original elliptical lawn (designed by Jens Jensen) — and gives it a contemporary twist, literally tipping it to create a hill with a spectacular view of the city.

As you wander, you will see many urban materials sprinkled about from gravel and glass to cobblestones and concrete. This is not just a garden in the city, but true to Chicago's motto - a city in the garden.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Jens Jensen series list.

Location. 41° 53.174′ N, 87° 43.133′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Garfield Park. It can be reached from Lake Street west of Central Park

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Avenue, on the right. The marker is outside the Garfield Park Conservatory. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 North Central Park Avenue, Chicago IL 60624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Garfield Park Conservatory Water Lily Collection (within shouting distance of this marker); Corn: The Heart of Many Cultures / El maíz: el corazón de muchas culturas (within shouting distance of this marker); Okra: A Plant with a Powerful Story / Okra: una planta con una historia poderosa (within shouting distance of this marker); Garfield Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Garfield Park (about 700 feet away); The Boulevard System (about 700

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 28, 2024

2. City Garden Marker

The ellipse referenced on the marker is in the rear.

feet away); a different marker also named Garfield Park (about 700 feet away); Habitats: Home for Wildlife (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding City Garden. The official motto of Chicago is "urbs in horto." According to the city, it was adopted in the 1830s, soon after the city was incorporated as a city in 1837.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 28, 2024

3. City Garden Marker

The west-facing entrance into the Garfield Park Conservatory is in the rear.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 28, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.