Garfield Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Garfield Park Natural Area
Chicago Park District Natural Areas
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 5, 2025
1. Garfield Park Natural Area Marker
Garfield Park was carved from the prairie in the early 1870s. Graced with lagoons, flower gardens, and curving paths, Garfield, Humboldt, and Douglass Parks are connected by wide, tree-lined boulevards. Only 0.01% of the original native prairie remains in Illinois. Native plantings can help restore some of the plant and animal diversity we have lost.
For more information about Chicago Park District Natural Areas visit our website: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/nature
Erected by Chicago Park District.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield series list.
Location. 41° 52.923′ N, 87° 42.877′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Garfield Park. It
this page online
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: Talking Tree Project (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Garfield Park Fieldhouse (about 300 feet away); Habitats: Home for Wildlife (about 400 feet away); Garfield Park (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Garfield Park Natural Area (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Talking Tree Project (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Garfield Park Natural Area (approx. 0.2 miles away);
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 5, 2025
2. Garfield Park Natural Area Marker
The Garfield Park Field House is in the background; the frozen east lagoon is on the right.
More about this marker. The sign is one of at least four identical signs that can be found around Garfield Park on pathways near its lagoon.
Also see . . . Chicago Park District: Garfield Park Natural Area.
Excerpt: "A planning process began in 2020 to improve and expand native habitats around the Garfield Park lagoon. The project aims to add approximately five acres of habitat for native plants and animals, reduce the prevalence of invasive species, create a more engaging and immersive space to observe and learn about nature, improve site aesthetics with short-statured blooming flowers from spring to fall, and provide ecosystem benefits such as reduced water run-off, improved water quality, as well as benefit the mental and physical health of park visitors from being in and around nature."(Submitted on February 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 5, 2025
3. Garfield Park Natural Area
The marker is on the right side of this photo, taken from across Central Park Avenue.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
