On the bright side, the restored Moon Bridge in Japanese Garden is ready to open to the public on April 22 & 60 new cherry blossom trees will be planted at Jackson Park in the next three years.
To listen to the conversation with Karen S. and Mike Dimitroff, Chicago Park District’s Cherry Blossom Trees caretakers 2024, click here.
WHAT: Status of cherry blossom trees in Jackson Park’s Columbia Basin, and update on the restoration of the Moon Bridge in the Japanese Garden.
WHEN: CURRENT STATUS (updated April 18, 2024):
Due to the erratic spring fluctuation in weather and temperature, many of the Cherry Blossom Tree buds will not appear to bloom this year. Some sporadically opened fully during the 70+ degree days in late March/early April, but sadly those have been subject to the strong winds, snow and rainy weather that followed, and the petals have since fallen off. Most of the trees went from the bud phase 2, and nearly opening to leafing-out in one step, without blossoming.
MOON BRIDGE RESTORATION:
In November 2023, the Park District entered into a professional service agreement with a specialty contractor trained in Japanese woodworking and bridge building. The bridge is currently being installed and will be ready for public use by Monday, April 22.
WHERE: Near 6401 S. Stony Island Ave., east side of Cornell Ave., located just south of Museum of Science and Industry.
MORE: The Chicago Park District announces that more than 190 cherry trees, located
along the Columbia Basin in Jackson Park, will not reach peak bloom in 2024.
Chicago’s cold and wet spring weather kept many of the buds from fully opening for the second consecutive year since the Park District started tracking the blooming patterns of the delicate trees in 2018.
Spring is here now in full swing, and the park is bursting to life with green leaves sweeping through the nearby tree canopies. Be sure to plan your return to see the cherry blossoms again next year. Every year is a different show, and every year is beautiful.
History of the Chicago Park District Cherry Blossom Tree Grove
In 2013, the first batch of trees were completely installed in time to commemorate the 120th Anniversary of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, and another 50 trees were added in the three years to follow by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago in honor of their 50th Anniversary and the relationship between Chicago and Japan.
In the fall of 2022, the Park District planted an additional 34 cherry blossom trees bordering the Museum of Science and Industry steps to bring the total to 190. It may take a season or two for these trees to get acclimated to the space and to start blooming.
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago (JCCC), the organization will help fund the planting of 20 trees for the next three years for a total of 60 additional Cherry Blossom trees at the grove after this year’s bloom ends.
Events:
In partnership with cultural partners, including the Japanese Arts Foundation, the Japanese Culture Center, the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago and the Jackson Park Advisory Council, the Park District will host a variety of events inspired in the Japanese culture.
- Fri., May 5, 2024, from 10 am – 2 pm: Children's Day (Kodomo no hi)
- Tues., Aug. 6, 2024, from 7 pm - 11 pm: Toro Nagashi Lantern Ceremony
- Tues., Sep. 17, 2024, from 8 pm - 11 pm: Tsukimi Chicago: Moon Viewing Festival
Cherry Blossom Merchandise:
Chicago’s Cherry Blossom Tree Grove has its own line of merchandise, which can be purchased at the Chicago Park District’s Store, www.chicagoparkstore.com, and includes t-shirts, mugs, totes and more. A portion of the proceeds helps fund Park District programs.
For more information about the cherry blossoms and the Jackson Park Japanese Garden, visit chicagoparkdistrict.com/cherry-blossoms.
Japanese Garden rules:
For the protection of these very delicate trees and the historic Wooded Island, the Park District requests that all visitors follow the guidelines below during their visit:
• Do not clip or remove blooms from trees;
• Discard garbage in the designated waste receptacles;
• Do not bring dogs into the Natural Area;
• Avoid walking on and trampling on native plantings.