Paseo Prairie Garden

Summer 2006:
Check out Timeout Chicago's Coverage of the Paseo Prairie Garden!
Click here for the text version of the article, and here for the PDF

Paseo Prairie Garden Information:
Sponsored and organized by Logan Square Walks in the spring of 2005
Designed by Laurie Tanenbaum, Grounds for Growth
Facilitated by Lisa Phillips, Logan Square Walks

The garden is located at the very west end of Logan Boulevard, within view of the Illinois Centennial Monument designed by Henry Bacon. The garden is directly adjacent to the south exit of the Logan Square 'el' exit and is intended to provide a natural oasis for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users. This is an example of a prairie garden that any homeowner with sun can duplicate or borrow from.

The project is an invitation to walkers, bikers, and drivers to slow down and enjoy the beauty in their neighborhood, a primary mission of Logan Square Walks. The name of the garden, Paseo, has various meanings in Spanish including, 'passing through,' 'meandering,' and 'path,' all words relating to the garden. The combination of English and Spanish honors the diverse textures of our community. The garden is watched and watered by residents of the Logan Vistas Elderly Apartments and members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Tilled, planted, and maintained by over 30 Logan Square Residents and members of Logan Square Walks, DEPTH, and other organizations, the garden was funded by generous donations from some 15 local businesses, a local garden center, and a nursery. This included money for materials, and portions of the soil amendments and provisions for the garden workers. Future plans include extending the garden until it fills up every inch of plant-friendly space.

Prairie plants in the garden:
(S) New Jersey Tea- Ceanothus americanus
(G) Eragrostis spectabilis - Purple Love Grass
(P) Echinacea palida Pale Purple Coneflower
(P) Eupatorium maculatum 'Purple Bush' Joe Pye Weed
(P) Geranium maculatum Wild Geranium
(P) Liatris aspera Rough Blazing Star Liatris
(P) Ratibida pinnata Prairie or Gray Headed Coneflower
(G) Andropogon gerardii Big Blue Stem
(P) Baptisia australis Blue Indigo
(P) Aster laevis Smooth Blue Aster
(P) Dalea purpurea Purple Prairie Clover
(G)Sporobulus heteropelus Prairie Dropseed
(P) Coreopsis palmate Prairie Coreopsis

[(S)= Shrub; (G)=grass; (P)= perennial flowering plant]

Special Thanks!
Alderman Rey Colon, 35th Ward
Boulevard Bikes
Chicago Theological Seminary - DEPTH Youth Program
El Cid
Fertile Gardens
Fixture (Patricia Carr)
Fleur
Grounds for Growth (Laurie T.)
Logan Square Neighborhood Association
Logan Vistas Elderly Apartments - HHDC
M. Fishman & Co.
Midwest Groundcovers
Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church
No Friction
Whirlaway Lounge
Winds Cafe

Thanks!
Cobey True Value Hardware
Dunlay's on the Square
Farmer's Market Garden Center
Logan Square Preservation
Ruby Dry Cleaners
Ward Miller and family

and the contributions and hard work of many good friends and neighbors!