Neighborhood News: Think Green…it’s Spring! Lincoln Park Zoo’s Garden Tours celebrate the season
Happy Spring, everyone! It’s time to appreciate the ‘urban oasis’ we live in!
Did you know… that Lincoln Park Zoo is only is one of the only free zoos in the world? And that it’s accredited as a Level III arboretum by ArbNet and as a botanic garden by Botanic Gardens Conservation International?
With ever-warming temperatures, there’s no better way to celebrate Spring in Chicago than taking a free Second Saturday Garden Tour,which meets at the Zoo’s Café Brauer, 2021 N. Stockton Drive, every second Saturday of the month from April–November.
The first tour of 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, from 10am–11am. No registration is needed …just show up!! All ages are welcome, making it a perfect (and free) family outing!
During each tour, a zoo horticulturist will point out interesting species in bloom, like the blossoming crabapples and redbuds in the Spring, or as the days lengthen into Summer, prairie flowers, like milkweed and rattlesnake master, as well as hibiscus and native hydrangea. Finally, as the season comes to an end, you can experience the fall colors of maple and gingko trees.
Along the way, you’ll experience Lincoln Park Zoo’s native birds, frogs, fish, turtles, insects, and more…as the website says, it’ll be a welcome escape from the bustling city for both wildlife and humans. Most importantly, you’ll find the connections in nature that are important to maintain our environment.
Plants & Gardens
More than 850 plant species dot the zoo’s 49-acre landscape, according to —from hydrangeas to 100-year-old oak trees.
Lincoln Park Zoo is also home to the nation’s only accredited herbaceous hibiscus collection. These dramatic and beautiful flowers support the zoo’s mission to connect people with nature while also attracting a host of native pollinators.
The grounds feature more than 80 hibiscus cultivars and hybrids.
After the tour…
You are welcome to stay around and visit with the animals! Lincoln Park Zoo welcomed a few new friends this winter…including the first Kagu Chick hatched last November, marking the first such hatch at the zoo. Or, say hello to Sal and Feta, a pair of Emperor Tamarins who are the newest residents at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House!
Lincoln Park Zoo’s specially designed animal exhibits are home to nearly 200 unique species from around the world. One favorite is the Kovler Seal Pool’s open-air design, which allows resident seals to choose between sunny and shady areas. This habitat also teaches visitors about Lincoln Park Zoo’s commitment to animal care, as guests can watch daily positive reinforcement training sessions that encourage the seals to participate in their own care. Narrated by a learning interpreter, these sessions involve keepers rewarding seals with preferred food items after completing specific tasks and movements.
More Exploring: The Formal Garden
Right by the Lincoln Park Conservatory is one of the oldest public gardens in Chicago, according to Wikipedia sources. The Formal Garden was designed and planted in the late 1870s.
Since its foundation, the Formal Garden has been the home of several sculptures and works of art. The most famous are the Bates Fountains, the Schiller monument, along with Sir George Solti’s bust, which was relocated to Grant Park in 2006.
The well-known Shakespeare monument is located across the street in the Grandmother’s Garden, which was formerly known as Old English Garden. The Formal Garden is planted between May and June. Though the peak viewing time is between July and August, the display lasts till mid-October.
For more information about Lincoln Park Zoo and all its programs, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
