Green Parent Chicago

Morton Arboretum's Children's Garden Celebrates 10 years

It's hard to believe that 10 years have gone by since the opening of the Children's Garden at Morton Arboretum.

Since then, countless children have meandered the paths, climbed the mazes, slid down the slides, splashed in the fountains and ponds, and learned about their connection to nature from a visit to the garden.

On Sunday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Children's Garden will celebrate its 10th birthday with a day of fun activities for kids and their families.

Here are some of the activities planned for the celebration:

LEGOLAND's Master Builder David Bray will demonstrate how a master builder creates amazing LEGO sculptures in celebration of our current exhibit, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® bricks by Sean Kenney.

Dance to the music of Earthsinger. Singer songwriter Dave Orleans will perform his nature-inspired songs for kids throughout the day.  

Make birthday treats for the birds.  

Blow colored bubbles onto a big birthday paper mural. This sensory-based art project will combine fun colors and fruity fragrances along with a favorite childhood pastime. 

Search for 10 unique trees throughout the garden. Celebrate 10 years with a scavenger hunt that takes visitors from clue to clue to find those trees that have had a big impact in the garden’s history.  

Try some goodies from the garden. Sample fruits and veggies as well as the less traditional edible flowers and insects.

Get your face painted. Pick from one of four fun nature designs.

Make a wish. Help the Arboretum celebrate by writing a wish for the garden onto a ribbon and decorating the trees with it.  

Children's Garden Admission is free with Arboretum admission.

-Christine

 

 

Looking for Answers as a Consumer

My journey becoming more environmentally aware and active looks so good sometimes. Our rethinking, reusing and recycling program is in a smooth groove. The worms in our vermicomposting bin are well fed and happy. Our Chicago Card is being swiped much more than the card to access our parking garage. Sometimes we feel like we are making meaningful progress.

The good feeling usually comes to a screeching halt when we have to buy something that can't be found used. How do we find things like pool supplies for the kids or an eco-friendly blender for breakfast smoothies? Where do we buy a new mop that respects our environment? Where should we go when we can't find what we need secondhand? I want to be an informed consumer, but how?

First I head to Green Parent Chicago for related articles and then I head to The Green Parent Chicago Network forum to discuss these topics and more. What seems tough for me may seem easy for someone else who just went through the same situation and found a new way to be a consumer. 

In the end the more we share, the more we learn. As I strive to become a more conscious consumer I'll share my challenges, successes and thoughts and hopefully fill in the gaps for the next person doing the same. 

-Eco Chic

  

Finding Peace and Quiet in the City

If the congestion and noise of the city ever get to you, consider popping into a soothing retreat tucked away off Fullerton just west of Cannon Drive. The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool has an immediate sedative effect so make a point to block out a little time there on those days you long for everyone to just evacuate the city so you can get a little peace & quiet!

Every time we go we seem to sit in a different place and just chill. Imagine two little kids (who are born to run!) asking to just sit and watch the ducks for a while. It's like a little slice of heaven. We chat about what our senses are picking up, throw in a little game of "I Spy" and then are off to hike up and down the layered limestone rock.

The southeast corner even has a little round limestone table and chair setup that begs for an impromptu picnic. Better yet, you can sketch what you see around you. The space is lush with greenery and newly sprouted flowers so as the colors are emerging it's a perfect time for creating art.

If you'd like to spend the day in the area, you have many free options from the lakefront to the zoo and conservatory. Or if you feel like a little excursion to see the butterflies the Nature Museum is right across the street to the north.

Whatever you do, take a moment to stop and take it all in. The Lily Pool brings a sense of beautiful sanity in an otherwise stressful day.

-Eco Chic

New Faces and Features On Green Parent Chicago

As editor of Green Parent Chicago, I am thrilled to announce two new regular contributors to Green Parent Chicago:

Manda Aufochs Gillespie, better known as Chicago's green parenting guru, The Green Mama, offers timely firsthand advice on green parenting in her new Friday feature "Ask the Green Mama".

Eco Chic is a local writer and green mom who beginning today will share her personal experiences as a green mom of two and her adventures.

Don't forget to stay tuned to Green Parent Chicago in the next two weeks, when Green Parent Chicago and The Green Mama will announce a new collaboration to unite Chicago moms and dads interested in living the eco-friendly life.

-Christine Escobar