Now that summer is (officially) over for 2010 (though hopefully not over in terms of weather), I feel okay giving away the best kept secret in the West Loop. No, not a hidden good restaurant in this food desert. Something, maybe, even more valuable. A quiet place to read, relax, even do yoga, away from the bustling, talky, crowds that make the lawns on South Wacker an aural white noise - Heritage Green Park.
Situated just a few blocks west on Adams from Searswillis Tower across from Old St. Pat's Church, it's like a different world. Quiet benches sit in the sun as well-dressed and sweat panted locals walk by with their dogs. Technically, over half the park is a dog run (but, no worries, it doesn't smell like one). Plus, as an added bonus, Chicago-Kent College of Law students pour studiously over scarily huge tomes on blankets scattered throughout the park's wide open lawn.
Some of whom are very young and attractive. You know, for people looking to get in on the ground floor with a future lawyer. Not that I'm one of those or anything.
However, there are a few problems that can shatter this idyllic tranquility. First of all, there's a lot of sun. Maybe too much. On the brightest days, it's actually painful to read a book without dark sunglasses. And it's nearly impossible to read a computer screen. There are low trees that ring the park and provide limited shade. But to go underneath these in anything except a prone position feels like cowering under a blanket with a flashlight as a kid to read after bedtime.
Plus, underneath said trees and all around the park lurk another detriment - insects. The natural fertilizer, despite being mostly cleaned up by thoughtful owners, attracts swarms of gnats. And I've seen more bees in this park than at some flower gardens. And if one is afraid of dragonflies, avoid this park at all costs! They far outnumber the people.
Sill, on a warm, partly cloudy day, relaxing one a blanket after some rain (that was light enough not to leave puddles for the gnats to breed), this park is summer Chicago perfection. read more