FALL FOLIAGE UNFOLDS IN CITY PARKS
CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT OFFERS GREAT SPOTS TO SEE FALL COLORS
Release Date: 09/26/07
As the season changes to autumn, the trees follow suit with their annual display of vibrant colors. Catch a glimpse of fantastic fall foliage displayed at various locations throughout the Chicago Park District’s urban natural areas and parks.
“The Chicago Park District has numerous areas where park patrons can witness and enjoy the start of a new season,” said Jerome Scott, District Forester with the Chicago Park District. “These areas contain trees that have been displaying their autumn brilliance for longer then the age of our country.”
With a few leaves already starting the color transformation, the vast majority will change along with the weather conditions, with temperature and moisture as the main influences. The green color we observe for the majority of the season is due to a dominant pigment in the leaves, called chlorophyll. This pigment helps the plants capture energy so that they can convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars that they need to grow, a process called photosynthesis.
As summer ends, days grow shorter and nights grow longer and cooler, signaling the trees to prepare for winter dormancy. The trees will rest, living off the food they stored during the summer. The trees begin to slow down their production of chlorophyll, fading the bright green color away. The less dominant pigment reveals itself, painting the leaves with a warm color palette. These colors have been in the leaves in small amounts all along, but were hidden behind the dominant green chlorophyll.
A wide variety of trees live within the Chicago Park District and you can see any of the following trees in the Park District: ash, honeylocust, various maples (includes sugar and red maples), gingko, hawthorn, apple, elm, cottonwood and oak trees. Fall into a new season at the following locations in the Chicago Park District where you can experience urban fall foliage:
Columbus Woodland
Located at 500 S. Central Avenue. The lagoon is located in the northeast corner of the park nearest Central Avenue and Adams Street. Paths originate at either the field house or the refectory, and lead to the lagoon.
Gompers Park
Located at the southwest corner of Foster Avenue and Pulaski Road. The entrance to the parking lot nearest the lagoon and wetland is on Pulaski Road. The Gompers Park field house is located at 4222 W. Foster Avenue.
Humboldt Park (near the Prairie River)
On the east end of Humboldt Park, park along Luis Munoz Martin Drive near the lagoon. There is a walking trail that goes around the lagoon that continues to the west end of Humboldt Park by the Prairie River.
Paul Douglas Nature Sanctuary in Jackson Park (on Wooded Island)
Located in Jackson Park lagoon at 6401 S. Stony Island Avenue. The island can be reached from a bridge that is within walking distance of the parking lot off of Hayes Drive.
Bill Jarvis Bird Sanctuary in Lincoln Park
Located east of Lake Shore Drive at 3600 N. Addison. The sanctuary is located in the fenced area behind the totem pole in Lincoln Park.
North Park Village Nature Center and Preserve
Located on 5801 N. Pulaski Road. The entire preserve hosts a variety of trees perfect for fall foliage self-guided tours that include: swamp white oak, cottonwood, green ash, Ohio buckeye, red oak, red maple, basswood and hackberry.RonanLocated between Argyle and Lawrence and west of the River.
West Pullman
Located in the northeast corner of the park, off of W. 123rd Street and S. Princeton Ave. The Burr Oak Savanna is home to old, but wise, oak trees.Washington Park Throughout the southern portion of Washington Park, east of Russell Drive and West of Payne Drive.
With 600 acres of natural area right in the City of Chicago, residents can experience nature at its finest during the fall season.
For more information, contact your local park, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-742-PLAY.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529
- Publication Date: 09/26/07