The Burnham Centennial continues...

If you missed the first Burnham Parks tour, it's not too late to sign up for the next one offered on September 26th. You'll have to make a decision though, as our WRBN South Side tour and barbecue is the same day. Too many tours, too little time...

Below are reports from WRBNeighbors who attended yesterday:

The Burnham Tour was AMAZING!!
We saw the underground mechanical rooms of Buckingham Fountain (you pay $50 every Friday night as a fundraiser to see it), then went to Jackson Park and saw the "only bridge designed by Burnham" now called the "Clarence Darrow Bridge", went to the Osaka Island Garden with the Tea House and waterfalls. Then drove along and imagined why the "gondola canal" was not built where the Midway Plaisance is now.

In Washington Park, we saw the details to the Fountain of Time, Loredo Taft has sculpted himself on the back, male figure with the "short tunic", then on to the DuSable Museum to see the inside of the building from the Fair....one of the few still standing designed by Burnham from the World's Fair. Drove on to Sherman Park and had lunch (amazing field house with murals by Art Inst. students), last and not least the Fuller Park field house another group of murals by the head of the Art Institute Dept. - also, has a "cloisters" garden room with crossing paths planted with small shrub roses and crab apple trees (in Spring has to be magnificent) a water fountain in the center, and at the end of the visual lines the bust of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Fuller!!

Many, many details to print here.....very impressive tour!!
Julia was great and of course we saw a couple of other tour participants we got to know from Lincoln Park Docents....well worth the $30 each, which included a wonderful box lunch from Harry Caray's of pesto chicken or grilled veggie, with chips, fruit salad, choc. chip cookie and water bottle!!

Carol can add more to this.....we loved it!!
Ann

If you want to be a boxer, Fuller Park is where you go. There are 3 boxing rings and one was used by M. Ali and other greats to train. COOL.

This tour was so worthwhile, just long enough, and worth way more that the $30 fee. Highly recommend it. Julia Bachrach is very knowledgeable, very lively, and a delight to be with all day.

Carol

(Photo of the Fuller Park field house from the Burnham Plan Centennial website)

Independence Park Bungalow

This morning several WRBNeighbors attended the Pancake Breakfast at the Independence Park Bungalow. As I attempted to shoot my first photo, the camera told me I'd forgotten my memory card at home, so, dear readers, you'll just have to look at their website or make the short trip yourself.

I'll leave it up to Ann to give you the lowdown:

The "Breakfast at Independence Park" was delicious, well organized, soft blue grass music on the lawn, 3 choices of pancakes, or a bit of everything, great coffee and tables set all over the inside, on the back porch, on the grass in front and over 35 volunteers Lynda O. told me - their 6th Year. They raise the money for the neighborhood group and park group. Nice setting and nicely done.

Alderman Marge Laurino was there, very friendly and low key, talking to everyone (not campaigning either), we saw local police officers waiting in line.

For $10 - the best gourmet type choices of fresh peaches, and New Orleans eggs, apple pancakes, sausages, etc. I have ever tasted!! Lots of families with kids and all well behaved!!

We were impressed.

Ann

BTW - across the street lives Chicago author Audrey Niffenegger who wrote the best seller "The Time Traveler's Wife" coming out in the movies in another week!! She has a nicely done new corner garden.