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

Habitats: Home for Wildlife

Chicago Park District Natural Areas

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 5, 2025

1. Habitats: Home for Wildlife Marker

Inscription. Prairies Prairies once covered most of Illinois. Their deep and expansive root systems stabilize the soil, absorb water, and allow them to survive fire, drought, and cold winters. Only 0.01% of the original prairie remains. Prairie plantings can help restore some of the plant and animal diversity that we have lost.

Oak Savannas Oak savannas have shady and sunny spots, creating opportunities for a wide diversity of wildflowers, shrubs, and trees to grow. Oaks support hundreds of species of butterflies, moths, and other native insects. Some ants create their nests inside oak acorns.

Oak seedlings need high light levels to grow well. The thick, corky bark of burr oaks helps them to withstand fires, which help oak ecosystems stay sunny and open.

Wetlands When the soil in an area is moist for much of the year, we call it a wetland. Pond edges, grassy marshes, and bogs are a few types of Illinois wetlands. Wetlands absorb water when it rains, which means less water in our basements and less severe flash floods.

Erected by Chicago Park District; The Nature Conservancy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment

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• Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 41° 52.984′ N, 87° 42.904′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Garfield Park. It is on Central Park Avenue 0.1 miles north of Washington Boulevard, on the right. The marker is in Garfield Park on a pathway next to the east lagoon, across the street from the Garfield Park Field House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 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: Talking Tree Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Garfield Park Fieldhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Garfield Park Natural Area (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Garfield Park Natural Area (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Garfield Park Natural Area (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Talking Tree Project (about 700 feet away); Garfield Park (about 700 feet away); The Boulevard System (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. An identical sign can be found in the

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 5, 2025

2. Habitats: Home for Wildlife Marker

The west lagoon at Garfield Park is in the background.

park near the west lagoon.

Also see . . . Chicago Park District: Garfield Park Natural Area. (Submitted on February 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 5, 2025

3. Habitats: Home for Wildlife Marker

The marker is across the street from the Garfield Park Field House and its famed gold dome.

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 88 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.