Welcome to Jane Addams Park Natural Area

Welcome to Jane Addams Park Natural Area. . , Protecting Nature , Look closely at this natural area. It brims with native prairie plants, such as little bluestem, purple coneflower, wild columbine and butterfly weed. Among the petals and stems, you may spot monarch butterflies, goldfinches and other species , which is exactly why they were planted. This natural area, like those that can be found in other parks across the city, is not only beautiful to behold but also provides essential habitat for pollinating insects and birds and other wildlife that call Chicago home. The plants here, which are all native, help absorb carbon from the air and clean the stormwater that filters down through their roots. , , A Migratory Bird Haven , Millions of birds pass through Chicago during spring and fall migrations. Many species use the north-south orientation of Lake Michigan to navigate their routes and rely on coastal areas to rest and refuel. Although much of Lake Michigan's shoreline has been developed, the Chicago Park District is working with Nature Conservancy staff and volunteers to protect and restore the natural areas these birds need to survive. , , Park History , Between 1914 and 1916, the City of Chicago created a park and adjacent municipal pier in this area, which were almost immediately pressed into service as a naval training site during World War I. In 1927, the City named this area Navy Pier in honor of the trainees. The Chicago Park District acquired Navy Pier Park in 1959. , , In 1996, the Chicago Park District officially redesignated the park Jane Addams Memorial Park in honor of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning social activist. Natural areas were later added to the park to help support pollinators, migratory birds and other Chicago wildlife.