This document printed from the University of Illinois Extension Cook County at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/
Activities
These are just a few of the activities of the Cook County/South Suburban Unit Master Gardeners.
To see additional photos of these activites, please visit our Photo Galleries.
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners at Lake Katherine Nature Preserve, Palos Heights, IL
Developed from a spoil site in the 1990's by the City of Palos Heights, Lake Katherine Nature Preserve has become a beautiful landscape and learning center for visitors.
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners and community volunteers (in partnership with the City of Palos Heights) donated over 4000 hours between 2002 and 2004 to beautify and increase the educational value of the gardens at Lake Katherine Nature Preserve. Various gardens situated along lovely hiking trails make Lake Katherine a beautiful spot to visit and learn about the natural world. See garden map. (link to page called Guide to the Gardens of Lake Katherine.)
Located at 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive in Palos Heights, IL 60463 is a great place for a school or group field trip. The brochure includes a map to the Preserve. (link to page called "Plan your next field trip to the Gardens and Habitats of Lake Katherine Nature Preserve.")
Master Gardens present educational programs both to adults and children as part of Lake Katherine Environmental Learning Center offerings.
Butterfly Garden: What plants attract butterflies? Enjoy the view or and see what you might plant in your yard for similar results. The Preserve hosts a Monarch festival every year in mid-September in celebration of butterflies.
Herb Garden: Over 75 varieties of herbs delight the senses. Find out what they look like, smell like, and what they are used for and if you want to grow some of your own.
Heritage Garden: Designed by a team of Master Gardener, this garden has an old-fashioned appeal. Includes heirloom vegetables as well as recent All American selections. Vegetables are intermixed with flowers.
Waterfall area: Features one of the largest man-made waterfalls in Cook County. A stroll through the Spruces at the top will make you think you are in the north woods.
Lake Katherine: See egrets, herons, ducks, geese, beaver lodge and more along the one mile path around this 20 acre lake.
Buzz 'N Bloom Prairie: Currently dominated by switch grass. Looking for a group to plant forbs (non-grass plants), control teasel and bring it to full glory.
Loretta Kupchick Woodland Wildflower Garden and boardwalk. Spring and fall woodland wildflowers inhabit a wooded ravine with a stream flowing though.
Farm and Pasture Plants: What does winter wheat or corn look like? Common crops on the farm are a rarity in the city and suburbs. Vintage farm equipment display reminds us of our agricultural roots. Also featuring a display of pasture plants (clovers and grasses) horse owners can use to help identify what's growing in their pastures.
Conifer Garden: Listen to the wind whisper though the White Pine, see Weeping Hemlock, Spruce, Arborvitae, Junipers.
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Nancy Miles began setting up a table at her local Farmers Market in Park Forest in 1997 to assist her community in answering common questions about garden problems.
Other Master Gardeners asked if they could do the same in their town. Among the first expansion was the Tinley Park Farmers Market added in 2002. Yet more Master Gardeners expressed interest in expanding to their communities as well. In the winter of 2002-3 Nancy Miles, Park Forest; Carol DeJong, Tinley Park; Michelene Rocco, Lemont; and Patty McPhillips, Orland Park met to plan a coordinated program in four communities. While at least ten other Master Gardeners made significant contributions, these four played the leadership role.
Master Gardener Bob Resch began serving the LaGrange Farmers Market community in 2004. When the city of Harvey began a Farmers Market in mid 2004, Master Gardener Art King set up an information table there and is looking forward to strengthening this new partnership.
Farmers Market "Ask the Master Gardener" information tables had a significant impact on the South Suburbs reaching people near their homes, providing one on one consultation with a Master Gardener in a pleasant outdoor environment near their homes.
Many new homeowners and teachers, who did not know about the University of Illinois Extension, put new knowledge to work as a result of this team effort. 1560 people living in four different Cook County South Suburban communities (Lemont, Orland Park, Park Forest, and Tinley Park) received information during the summer of 2003. In 2004 with the addition of two markets, 2,246 people received specific research based garden information. Master Gardeners from the South Suburban Unit received a 2004 Illinois State Master Gardener Teamwork award for their efforts in this area.
Where to find Ask the Master Gardener tables in Cook County South Suburban Area
La Grange Farmers Market 53 South LaGrange Road, LaGrange, IL 60525 May-October Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m
Lemont Farmers Market Budnik Plaza at Stephen & Canal Street, Lemont, IL 60462 (every other week) Late June-October, 8 to noon.
Orland Park Farmers Market 14700 South Ravinia Ave, Orland Park 60462 Mid-June-Mid-October Friday, 8:00 to noon (every other week)
Park Forest Farmers Market 350 Victory Drive, Park Forest, IL 60466 May-October Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Tinley Park Farmers Market Oak Park Avenue Metra Station 173rd and Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, IL Late May 22nd thru mid-October Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Victory Garden at Evergreen Park Library
In Celebration of their 60th anniversary, the Evergreen Park, IL library drew on the resources of University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners to plan and create a Victory Garden in 2004. Evergreen Park High School horticulture students did the planting under the supervision of U of I Extension Master Gardeners. The community drew together for many events scheduled in and around the garden, including music, reading, scarecrow making, and cooking.
