A beautiful tranquil place to zen out. Adjacent to the lincoln park zoo. It has its own entrance and exit On any day you can see pretty flowers and wildlife. Please don't disturb either and don't leave any garbage. read more

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This is probably one of my favorite hidden gem spots in Chicago. It's such a beautiful and tranquil area to relax and enjoy the nature. There's a trail that loops around the pond, so you can walk around a few times and meditate. There's so many options to sit too. It's a great spot to bring a book or a snack. Amazing spot for photos too! There's always a bride and groom here taking photos. read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Nice spot to relax and enjoy peace and quiet. Beautiful view of the lily pond. A good spot to meditate in the middle of the busy city. read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This spot is a hidden gem to get away from metropolitan noise located near downtown in the Lincoln Park area Great for Photoshoots too read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have long wanted to visit the lily pool. I think I first learned about it from a Geoffrey Baer special on WTTW. Maintained as a partnership of the Chicago Park District and the Lincoln Park Conservatory, the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool has a somewhat checkered past. It was originally created as a Victorian-style garden that was popular at the time (1889), and featured tropical plants (it was heated by the zoo's power plant to make the tropical plants happy, I guess). Caldwell, an early landscape architect, was hired in the 30's when the park district obtained WPA funds and set out to revive the garden, which had fallen into disrepair once the popularity of the original style of garden waned. It was meant to serve as a peaceful oasis within the city. Unfortunately (and much to Caldwell's deep resentment), it once again fell into disrepair for many years before it underwent a major restoration in the late 20th/early 21st century. According to the Chicago Park District website, the design "is meant to mimic a river formed by a melting glacier's flow of water as it cuts through rock." As an architect in the Prairie School of landscape architecture, Caldwell's work is often mistaken for Frank Lloyd Wright but you would be remiss to assume this and not seek out more of Caldwell's work if you are near it. It was interesting to me to learn that Caldwell taught for IIT for many years, since I too worked for that college for a decade. The ACLP is very hidden along Fullerton near Lincoln Park Zoo. If you are driving you can easily miss it. The entrance is on Fullerton itself, and almost as soon as you walk through the Prairie-style gate you'll feel like you're miles from the city. Of course the major feature here is the lagoon, filled with hundreds of lily pads (in early days there were prairie lilies in the pond; I don't know if there are any flowering plants in the water at some point in the present day). I didn't encounter any frogs, thank goodness! There's a path that winds around the pool; overall, the footprint of the park is actually much smaller than I expected. Toward the south end of the pond you're walking by one of the zoo habitats--you can see it from the path but I don't think you can see any animals from there. (There is also an entrance to the pond from the LPZ parking lot, so if you're a member that makes it easy.) The park is partially ADA accessible--there are some stairs as you make your way around to the west side of the pond, though. On that side of the pool there are a couple off prairie-style pavilions where folks can sit, though there are tons of outcrops all along the path for patrons to sit, read, reflect, visit, or whatnot. There is an area called the council ring on the eastern side of the pond, which Caldwell said was inspired by his mentor as a place for people to gather and socialize. Native plants were installed as part of the restoration in the early 21st century, and you will see Joe Pye Weed, Black Eyed Susans, bee balm, and other native plants as you wander the path. Frogs, turtles, dragonflies, butterflies, and other critters are said to be found here, as well as birds if you want to bring your binoculars. The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool has earned many accolades: It is a Chicago Landmark, a National Historic Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is open from April to November from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm or dusk, whichever comes earlier. It is free to visit. Parking is a beast; I was incredibly lucky to find a spot a block away, but that was in the middle of the day whilst I was on maternity leave. You might find parking along Stockton or Cannon Drives or Lincoln Park West, or some of the further flung surrounding streets. If you're a member of the LPZ, you can park in the lot there and gain access. Event permits are available as well--I can imagine this would be an incredibly beautiful setting for a wedding or other special event. Docents of the Lincoln Park Conservatory offer free tours several times per week (I may be back for one of those soon!). read more

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Do NOT book a wedding at this venue!! Park supervisor is beyond rude and they are not prepared to host any type of activity there. Despite being told construction project would be completed it wasn't and we weren't notified of delay. It was apparently too difficult to call or answer an email. Our event was littered with construction debris/ mud/ smelly algae. ZERO accommodation and in fact, this troll-of-a-supervisor interrupted my nieces wedding vows with yelling at our photographer. It honestly was the rudest thing I have ever witnessed. We had to stop everything and console an hysterical bride. This fool should be fired for such poor judgment and incompetent management. It was unnecessary and just pathetic. Don't go near this part of Lincoln Park! read more

The area is a beautiful place for any small event or picture op you have in mind. The venture to find the entrance is worth the multiple picturesque areas you get to visit. read more

Gorgeous place. Very serene. Located right next to the zoo (which is free btw). The Lily Pool area is lovely to walk around and it's an easy walk. There is also a path that connects the Lily Pool area to the zoo area. However, there was signage indicating that the gate/path was closed when I visited July 2022. If you enjoy nature and/or pretty scenery, I highly recommend stopping by here. read more

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The pond area was built artistically with nature in mind. The rock formations jutting outwards give this sanctuary a unique feel and offers an abundance of space to hike or sit and enjoy the peacefulness which is usually suited for a remote area with miles of hiking. The lilies in the pond are reminiscent of one of Monet's paintings come to life. There's a few simple structures near the pond giving visitors to sit, have shelter from the rain, and to reflect. There's a plethora of wild life and plants including ducks, other birds, squirrels, flowers, trees, and ferns. I hope that more parks are built like this but alas only a few people enjoy this kind of oasis. read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Lily pads in pond - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a beautiful area we happened to stumble across on my vacation in Chicago! We had gotten dim sum in Lincoln Park and decided to walk back to our place (~2 miles) through the park. We didn't know what this was but we were immediately drawn to the interesting gate. Upon entering, we were delighted to discover this Lily Pool! So pretty and serene, with plenty to take in. We sat for a while in front of the Lily Pool, watched a little family of ducks swim by, and spotted some fish darting around in the water. Definitely recommend - I'm sure this would be a great spot for photos. read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Beautiful Lily pond with a cute family of ducks! - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Call me Wilma, because this place would put Fred Flintstone in the mood for romance. While I am a sucker for parks (they garner the lion's share of my five star reviews), this one was a hot mess when we were there in the fall. There is a difference between 'natural' and 'left to rot' and it was not a pretty sight during our visit. I'm sure part of my reaction is due to the stark contrast between the immaculately maintained Lincoln Park Conservatory and this outdoor wildlife sanctuary. Sort of opposite ends of the park spectrum, but you should definitely visit both. Oh, the possibilities. The structures are called 'prairie style' architecture, but for me it was a cross between a 70s James Bond villain's lair and a caveman's palace. I can see why it puts so many other reviewers in the mood for romance. The large slabs of horizontal stone were striking. The pond was full of lillies and we saw turtles and fish. I'd love to visit during the lushness of the summer. At the moment, some weeding is in order. Oh and strike the first, I'd rather be Betty. read more

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Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool is a great place to relax and unwind. A peaceful oasis to walk through or stop and enjoy the natural landscaping and natural wildlife. It's a quiet part of the Lincoln Park Zoo, and you can enter from the street or from inside the zoo. A perfect place to take your lunch and enjoy a little bit of wilderness in our great city! read more

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This is a pretty little park! Its not huge, so it's easy to get through it all. It's very calming, and it's free to all! We saw a couple getting engagement photos taken here, and this would be such a perfect place for that. If you're in the area, definitely check it out! read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I went to the Nature Museum to see the butterflies and heard someone talking about the free lily pond across the street. Unfortunately the water lilies were gone .. i guess they are gone by August and it was mid September. but still walked the short circle around the pond .. it was lovely. read more

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The Lilly Pool is a hidden gem that should not be missed. The Lilly pool is hidden between the Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Peggy Norbert Nature Museum. This serene area is for anyone who needs a break from the hassle of the city. The paths are very well laid out. There are plenty of areas that you can sit and relax. If you are lucky, you'll see some turtles. Later in the summer, you can enjoy the Lilly pond flowers. I look forward to return to the pond later in the summer. read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Relaxing moment at a waterfall - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It is not a big park, but kind of interesting to join the tour to walk around the park to understand the plants. The volunteers are knowledgeable to talk about different kind of plants. It is better to come in summer from June to July to see the booming lilies. If you really want to see lilies, you can still find them in Lincoln Park Conservatory. Watch out of mosquitos here. I got mosquito bites here. read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Lily pond at the beginning of fall. Unfortunately lilies have gone, but it is still a place to hide in the city jungle. - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've always wanted to check this place out. It's a man-made space with a pond and a previously believe to be extinct redwood tree. The Prairie-style Fullerton gate hides the garden well. There were staff to help educate you about this hidden gem. I see why it's popular for weddings and photoshoots. read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Once leave to be extinct redwood tree, grown from a seed - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It took us a minute to find this place because it's sectioned off, but once we entered the national historic landmark, it's really quite lovely and tranquil. Constructed by Alfred Caldwell as a 'sanctuary of the native landscape' the pond is full of lily pads and turtles, with a cascading waterfall and alcoves where people can sit and chat. Guests today were laughing, talking pictures, strolling, and even sketching whatever caught their eye. The limestone pathways are easy to navigate, soI'll be back to see the summertime brightness :) read more

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This place is a bit hard to find; the first time I went looking for it, I was looking by the Peggy Notebart Nature Museum and eventually gave up. Well, this week while at the Green City Market with my boyfriend, we found it. The entrance is a subtle stone grotto at the north end of Lincoln Park. This place is beautiful, and somewhat magical. You step off a major Chicago street and completely forget that you are in a big city. The layout seems very natural yet has a craftsman's hand about the placement of the stones and waterfalls. It's a lovely place to wander, and when we first arrived no one else was around; how often can you say you're alone, outdoors, in a public place, in the city? It's also a romantic spot; nice place for a date for the naturally-inclined in warmer weather. Pair it with a trip to the Lincoln Park Conservatory and you have a gorgeous day of communing with nature without spending a cent! read more

Lincoln Park's Caldwell Lily Pool, which a friend calls her "Zen Garden", is one of the most complete and full small parks in Chicago. It is a pleasure both to visit and enjoy the park, and also to see and appreciate its outstanding design. Unfortunately, its hours are unpredictable, so it is a matter of luck whether you will be able to see it on any given day. The small entrance to the Lily Pool is easy to overlook as one walks to the Fullerton underpass towards Fullerton Beach. It is a small Japanese gate with an inconspicuous sign. If the Lily Pool is closed, the gate is hardly worth a second glance. The gate has a small footprint, so even when the park is open, you wouldn't look through it unless you were going there. Starting with the entrance gate, which is a Japanese two-door gate, the Lily Pool is a large Japanese style garden centered around the lily pool. It is designed largely as a Japanese garden --- there is even a small rock garden --- with stone paths around the pool and a wooden structure that is intended to represent a Japanese tea house, or something like that. The pool itself is visibly populated with fish, frogs, and insects. At one point along the path is a stone bench near the edge of the pool. Trees and shrubs rather densely line the pool and the path. The entire park is surrounded by high barriers that enclose the Lily Pool and park, insulating it from the exterior environment. This fact, plus the pool, trees and vegetation, provide a pleasingly bucolic experience. Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive, which are directly adjacent to the garden, are shut out of the garden experience. If you enjoy seeing this kind of garden, then the Lily Pool will be pleasing, complete and substantial. This kind of landscape feature, along with the 1700-1800's Japanese paintings, was influential on the Impressionists. Monet had a lily pool at his own house that he painted numerous times. Anyway, this is what my friend calls her "Zen Garden". I know nothing about Zen, but the Lily Pool does have an Eastern feel to it. The park itself is quiet, but the visitor crowd is often large enough to be noticeable. You know that you are not enjoying this park in solitude. The Lily Pool has a few volunteers who give guided walks along the paths. Admission is free. Access is unpredictable. I have come here three times this past summer, during the daytime, to walk along the Lily Pond with a friend, only to find the Lily Pond closed. The posted hours are not honored. I called the telephone number on the sign and requested information about when the park would be open. There was no answer, and there was never even a subsequent callback. It is a matter of luck whether the Lily Pond will be open on any given day. The Lincoln Park Lily Pond is a fine and complete park designed as a Japanese style lily pond. The design is successful and the park is a pleasure to visit. Admission is free, volunteers supply guided walks, but access is limited and unpredictable. The posted hours are not honored and the information telephone number is useless. Nevertheless the Lily Pond is very close to being complete, a fully enjoyable park. The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond is one of Chicago's highlight attractions. read more

Ugh, I LOVE the lily pool. Growing up, it was an absolute necessity to visit this gorgeous little green wonderland every time my family visited the zoo, and it's had a special place in my heart ever since. If you're ever feeling too overwhelmed by being in a city setting, the Lincoln Park Zoo lily pool will make you forget you're anywhere near skyscrapers, your loud neighbors, or Lake Shore Drive traffic. Instead, you'll be transported to a soothing and extremely green lily pool, with a ton of turtles, frogs, and absolutely no view of the skyline. Don't get me wrong, the skyline is mesmerizing, but sometimes it's nice to feel like you're surrounded by nature, and only nature. There's really not much more to say about this spot except for that it will draw you in whenever you pass by. I've seen engagement photos taken here, and I've detoured my runs to make sure I could take a few minutes to appreciate the calmness the lily pool has to offer. Plus, it's FREE. If you're ever wondering whether or not to stop in and take a look around, the answer should always be "yes." read more

Zen in the midst of the city! They just opened last week for the season. We usually always walk through here to get into the zoo on our walks and it's soooo quiet and calm. There are usually some picture takers but it's generally not crowded at all ever. Now that the weather is nicer, we'll be bringing our thermos of coffee and some pastries to have breakfast there. read more

If you live in a beautiful suburb or the countryside, there is nothing too unique about this place. What makes it unique is that it's in the middle of Chicago, the third largest metro area in the US with a population of almost 10 million people. In that context, it's a very nice stop to go for a short walk, sit down and relax a little, etc. read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Go here! Today, tomorrow, all week. We only found this by accident on the way to the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The small entrance is located on Fullerton. The garden feels like an oasis in the city with chipmunks and everything. It's like stepping into a Monet painting. Perfect place to bring a picnic, meditate or read a book. There is some car traffic noise from Lakeshore Dr but it's muted. The place is large enough that on a not crowded day (like the Saturday we went) you can find a place to sit and be alone. When we went there were only one or two lilies in bloom by it didn't diminish the beauty of the garden. Definitely planning on coming back with a picnic basket, book, and camera. Can't wait to see the garden in full bloom. read more

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I remember coming here a lot as a kid. I also remember it being a little overgrown. It got kinda gross for a while there. I was here last week for the first time in probably about 10 years and WOAH, it's looking great. I have no idea when they did the cleanup but it's not at all the place I remember from my childhood. It's so peaceful and beautiful. We were only inside for maybe 10 minutes but during that time we saw turtles, dragonflies and butterflies. We were also the only people we saw so for just a few minutes, we felt like we had escaped the city. Definitely worth a stop in. read more

I found this spot a few years ago and was taken by it. I recently visited again and it still retains it's charm. I consider the lily pool somewhat of a hidden Chicago treasure as I'm not sure how widely known it is. It's such a nice, relaxing spot and considering it's just off of a main street, it's amazingly quiet. You can wander around the pool and investigate all of the nooks and crannies and be totally alone. This is a lovely spot to hide out for a while reading, relaxing, strolling... read more

I realize the oddity of reviewing a lily pond. Yelp is for people who do people things and buy people things (and a lot of dog things...), not for amphibians, who do amphibian things, but probably don't buy anything... But hear me out. Chicago is known for its versatility, for giving you the citiest of city experiences, having all the foods, all the cultures, and maybe more notably for its completely non-city experiences while still being five minutes from The Loop. Lincoln Park is a great example of that "not in the city but totally am" scene. It's full of nature, life, paths, bodies of water, and geese that DGAF and will fight you. But within that lively park sits the ultimate peaceful experience: the lily pond. Hidden just off of Fullerton Ave's entrance to LSD, the pond is a quaint and relaxing refuge from the noise and chaos of urban living. And the geese. I cannot stress enough what total jerks they are. In their little flocks with their mob mentality... ready to attack the innocent who just happen upon their path by the North Pond... Ahem. Anyway, it is the most zen place I have found in Chicago. Hidden stone paths, cozy little huts, benches on the cusp of the water, and plenty more offer so much quiet and beauty, where you can be at peace and absorb the tranquility of the pond. The lushness of the scenery and the the calm of the water are absolutely soul-reviving. If you're visiting the area, or just a stressed-to-the-max Chicagoan, grab a book, a friend, or just yourself and head over to the pond for a spa-like, goose-free experience. Also, it's a perfect selfie background. Just sayin'. read more

I was disappointed in the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. My fiance wanted to visit it on a weekend trip to Chicago and I thought it sounded nice, so we went. Honestly, I really was not impressed. It wasnt that big and seemed to be poorly maintained, with plants allowed to spread out all over the place. The pond in the middle with the water lillies was nice, but everything around it just seemed overgrown and not especially pretty. I think it would be better if they maintained it better. Also, parking was very difficult; we probably drove around for at least half a hour before we found a space. Ultimately, we had to pay like $20 to park in a tiny lot for the 20-30 minutes we were here. read more

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I love this place! It's a block from my home and I go there to think or to read or relax. It's absolutely beautiful with plenty of wildlife, walking paths, little pagodas to sit in and a waterfall! Frank Lloyd Wright influence present throughout. My only complaint: Sometimes there are very rowdy groups that come though. 2 days ago I was in there and there were children running around for over an hour yelling and standing on top of the little pagoda. Further, a photographer was shooting engagement photos and blocking paths and coaching the couple at the top of his lungs. There were other people in the garden trying to relax or read and the combination of the children screaming and jumping on the pagoda and the photographer really murdered the mood. I went the next day and it was fine but I was very aware of the lack of supervision this space gets; especially since it has so much thick greenery, water and many entrances. **Perhaps the park district could get volunteers to walk the grounds to help maintain the proper behavior for a space such as this. I understand public space is public but climbing on top of pagodas and using the park as a personal work space to shoot photographs and block walkways is NOT ok. It's a must see regardless in the city--regardless of the "colorful" group one might cross paths with. read more

So peaceful and beautiful. Loved it hear. A perfect place for some quiet time. Saw lots of couples having picnics. Very well kept. read more

A beautiful and completely FREE attraction along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The Lily Pool makes for a peaceful entrance into the Lincoln Park Zoo, also free. Nice job, Chicago! read more

A beautiful, peaceful place to take a stroll! If you visit remember this is not a picnic area!. read more

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - Wood duck with her young - Parks Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I forgot about this place!!!! This summer, my boyfriend and I decided to go to the beach to enjoy the weather. We made sand castles, had some lunch, swam, and tanned. When it was time to go home we walked over the bridge and I happened to look into this place and it looked like paradise, Chicago Style! I was automatically drawn to this place. It was like a hidden gem that isn't so hidden. The architecture was amazing and beautifully built. There was hundreds of spots to sit and stare into the pond and think. It was a super romantic place. Call me crazy....but his is the type of place where I can see myself getting proposed to or having a moonlit dinner. I recommended one of my buddies to take his new girlfriend over there and now he thinks I am a date expert (thank you). The best part of this place is that its free!!!!! Also, it is close to the Lincoln Park Zoo, and the beach, accessible through public transport, and parking is available for a small fee. I am going to make it a must see for everyone. Bring your bug spray though. read more

Tucked away in a quiet garden is one of the best places to make out in the city. I used to go to this garden to get away from the business of Lincoln Park. Even when surrounding areas are filled with people, you can spend moments where you see nothing but nature and hear nothing but the water. It's pure prairie: native plants, natural limestone, birds and butterflies. And there are dragonflies! I love dragonflies. I like to sit on the rocks and write in my journal. It's fun to watch couple after couple pause, enter the pavilion by the water, kiss and walk on. read more

While I simply adore my Chicago urbanity, I've often envied other metropolitan locales for having a wonderful marriage of the odd couple of nature and city. I often stroll down to the Lincoln Park Conservatory for my moment of zen, but I've often longed for something more nature-y and serene. A place you can get lost in and forget that you're living in the Second City without traveling beyond the city limits. Little did I know that this urban Eden exists less than a mile from my abode. I stumbled upon the Alfred Caldwell Lilly Pool on my way home from my monthly visits to the conservatory. This place is huge - winding paths in a labyrinth of nature going this way and that and crossing each other. A pond that borders on lake in its size. Dozens of places to sit down and muse over the meaning of life. Or just be aware of the moment. That's all we have you know. Busy Fullerton Avenue is mere feet away, but you'd never guess it with the serene silence that pemetrates this place. Pure bliss. However, as a single woman, I have to admit that I had my phone close by because it's extremely isolated and if I ran into unsavory characters who would have taken advantage of me, there wouldn't have been any witnesses. I doubt that there are riff raff hiding in here, but my female radar told me to be cautious. read more

This lily pond is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!!!!! Absolutely breathtaking! Best of all its open to the public and free!!!! If you come on weekends, they give tours every 1.5 hours. Thanks to all the volunteers that serve as docents or serve as gardeners by helping with the upkeep. They have done a great job in preserving this place of serenity. This lily pond actually named as a National Historic Landmark in 2006. Thats HUGE!!!! The style is definitely very unique. Its called Prairie School Landscape Architecture. The entire area covers 3 acres and the lily pond covers about 1.5 acres. It looks like something Frank L. Wright had a hand in, but he actually did not contribute to this lily pool at all. The architect was Alfred Caldwell. The pictures do not do it justice!!! read more

I don't know if I can call this a Chicago "secret" any more... but it still has the feeling of a secret garden, where you can escape the roaring cars on Lake Shore Drive and the crowds at Lincoln Park Zoo ... just slip through the unobtrusive entrance and there you have it, Prairie paradise. Created in the mid-1930s, the Lily Pool lets you glimpse Alfred Caldwell's work without the influence (or domineering practices...) of Frank Lloyd Wright. The garden is still pure Prairie School subterfuge: it appears to be a natural, weed-filled Midwestern grassland, complete with rocky outcrops, abundant birdlife, and TURTLES! - but it was carefully designed and "man-made" as any major construction project. I bet it has fairies, somewhere in those grasses, and talking frogs, philosophizing on the lily pads. The perfect place for a picnic. read more

FREE Are you looking for a great place to take some photography? How about to take a nice stroll through some nature? Or to relax and read a good book? Then you've found the spot! This is one of my favorite places in the summer to come take some pictures, or just relax with a good book. Sometimes, you will get some obnoxiously loud people, but most of the time, it's pretty quiet and enjoyable. Stop by to take a stroll during the summer, and discover this little hidden gem. Cool Tidbits: This Lilly Pool was once desolate and volunteers helped to build it to form a sanctuary for wildlife and convervation. They wanted to preserve biodiversity while creating a relaxing place for visitors. The key was to use vegetation that was already in Illinois so that it could be beautiful, but at the same time, be able to fit in and survive in our harsh weather conditions. read more

whoa, I can't believe it has been a year since I have been here. I needed to find my Zen, so I came here this afternoon with a book, hunted down a sunny silent spot, and just lived in the moment. It was so peaceful, soaking up the rays, listening to birds, reveling in the natural beauty... I just have one request. I realize it is a public place, but a lot of people go there to commune with nature...please don't start yelling across the pond like you are in the high school yard. Still a wonderful oasis here in Chicago that I truly appreciate. Namaste :) read more

This is one of the most beautiful places on earth! Well, at least the parts of earth that I roam. My sister and her fiancé were having professional engagement photos done. She was looking for some unique areas in Chicago and mentioned this to a buddy of ours that literally lives across the street. He came up with this gem as the first stop! If you aren't looking for it, you could literally wander right past the entrance without another thought. You would be missing out on the beauty and tranquility though. There are signs, so if you are nearby just keep your eyes peeled and you will find it. Here's the thing...you literally ate transported to an oasis. Upon walking in, I was sure that there was zero chance that we were still in Chicago. We didn't teleport anywhere as we were indeed still in the Windy City. It was gorgeous! People taking a leisurely walk through. People sitting on the rocks enjoying nature. Then there we were...taking lots of pictures. Quietly so as to not disturb others. It was a magical spot and I am only sharing the 411 with my closest Yelp-y friends. Grab a book. Take a stroll. Enjoy! read more