Oak Park Conservatory
Oak Park Conservatory ranks 8th on the list of most beautiful gardens in Chicago. Hop on the Blue Line to check out this verdant conservatory in near-suburban Oak Park, where you can ogle everything from the sun-loving plants of the Mediterranean (lavender, rosemary, common sage) to the lush flora of the tropics (banana and papaya trees, white bird of paradise and much more).
The conservatory's three indoor rooms offer a year-round dose of greenery; in the warmer months, relax among perennials and a tinkling water feature at the outdoor Herbert M. Rubinstein Memorial Garden, or take the little ones to the interactive Elsie Jacobsen Discovery Garden, where visitors are invited to play among and touch the plants.
The conservatory started in 1914, as a community effort to house exotic plants collected during residents' travels. Today's Edwardian-style glass structure was built in 1929 but fell into neglect until 1970 when a group of concerned citizens preserved it. Debate in the community had some suggesting the site would make "a perfect parking lot", but the volunteer actions of the Citizens Committee for the Conservatory saved it from that fate.
In addition to its role in supplying plants throughout the parks of Oak Park, the Conservatory's role was expanded to be a place to educate school children and gardeners. The Conservatory collection includes agave Americana, commonly known as the century plant for the long decades until it blooms.
Twice since 1980, a plant shot up its flower stalk taller than the greenhouse roof, so the glass was removed. The plant in bloom is visible to traffic on nearby roads. In 2013, the bloom time was cut short by a severe storm, cutting the 6 inches diameter stem at the roofline.
DETAILED INFORMATION:
- Location: 615 Garfield St, Oak Park, IL 60304, USA
- Website: https://pdop.org/oakparkconservatory/
- Tel: 708-725-2400
- Hour: 10:00 AM - 16:00 PM
- Area: 8,094 m²
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
