10/21/03

This beautiful West Side stretch of green has meandering lagoons and an historic conservatory.

by Contributor

The Scene
Though Garfield Park is in a somewhat gritty West Side neighborhood, it's also the site of one of Chicago's finest attractions. The Garfield Park Conservatory, a lush, indoor park-within-a-park, is worth a visit from any part of town. The Conservatory is divided into several thematic rooms: ferns, palms, warm-weather plants, desert plants, show flowers and arid plants. Narrow pathways meander down steps and through the thick, jungle-like air, past tinkling waterfalls and patrons quietly resting or reading on benches. In the summer there's usually activity on the baseball fields, basketball courts and several open fields.

What to Do
Park life centers around the field house, a 1928 cream-colored baroque building topped with a gold dome. Here you'll find information about local sports and recreational activities for children, adults and seniors.