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

Habitats: Home for Wildlife

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 hicago 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° 53.043′ N, 87° 43.135′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Garfield Park. It is on Schraeder Drive 0.1 miles west of Central Park Avenue, on the left when traveling west. The marker is on the north side of the west lagoon at Garfield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Garfield Park Natural Area (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Garfield Park Natural Area (about 700 feet away); Garfield Park Conservatory Water Lily Collection (about 700 feet away); The Boulevard System (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Garfield Park (about 700 feet away); Corn: The Heart of Many Cultures / El maíz: el corazón de muchas culturas (about 800 feet away); Talking Tree Project (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. An identical marker can be found east of here, across the street from the park's fieldhouse.

Also see . . .

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 5, 2025

2. Habitats: Home for Wildlife Marker

The Garfield Park Field House is in the background, across the lagoon.

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

Some geese can be seen walking on the frozen lake in this west-facing photo. The Midwest Athletic Club Building towers in the background.

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 95 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.