Eden Place Nature Center: An Urban Oasis

You don’t have to look too far around Chicago to see that we are serious about sustainability and the environment with all of the green roofs and adding of trees to the expressway. The Museum of Science and Industry, The Shedd Aquarium, The Peggy Notebaert Museum, both Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos and lastly the Garfield Park Conservatory are all gems of Chicago; they represent the knowledge and effort of our residents in understanding the flora and fauna of this world.

However with little access to Chicago’s amenities some communities don’t have a genuine opportunity to take advantage of them. So what happens when entire communities lack the time, financial resources or transportation to enjoy and learn?

A most inconspicuous nature center on the south side of Chicago is located in the Fuller Park community: 3.5 acres of open space dedicated to environmental education for the residents on the south side of Chicago. Eden Place Nature Center hasn’t received lots of press primarily because it is a non-profit organization and it is not a public place managed by the Chicago Park District.

Eden Place is an urban oasis on 44th and Stewart, its beauty is only surpassed by the spirits of its director Michael Howard, the Howard family, Education Coordinator Shelly Hope and the community members that support the center's mission.

Although Eden Place is located in one of the poorest communities of Chicago, you can easily forget where you are because of all the biodiversity and wonderful natural things around you. It is now an official habitat for Monarch butterflies with the help of former Lt. Governor Pat Quinn. It boasts a handmade gazebo, prairie garden, wetland area, vegetable garden, hiking trail, wigwam, bird pond, butterfly garden and a few farm animals as well.

Eden Place is special as an environmental education center in an African American community, and while all are welcome, it engages families, schools, and churches from those communities that lack the aforementioned resources to go to places like the museum and the zoo. Free to the public, Eden Place is open during the early spring and all summer.  For more information regarding opportunities for class field trips, volunteering, interning, events, or facilities rental visit the center's website at www.edenplacenaturecenter.com.  

-photo credit: Eden Place

-Kellen Marshall-Gillespie mom of 3 is an entrepreneur, author, aspiring film maker and pursuing her Ph.D in ecology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a native Chicagoan she is dedicated to not only her family but to educating and empowering the urban communities on the wonders of the earth and the environment.

Comments

[Green Fundraising Ideas]

Huh, was not aware of this place on the south side. That's really neat. I'll pass along the info.