Jackson Park and Garden of the Phoenix - MyShadowProductions #169

Hello again everyone!!

Jackson Park is another Park in the Chicago Parks and Boulevards System.

It is just South of the Museum of Science and Industry on the South Side of Chicago. I went to Union Station by Metra Train from Aurora, walked to State Street (15 minutes) and took the 6 Bus (express to Jackson Park), about 25 minutes.

My plan was to get some photos of the 190+ Cherry Trees in the Park before they blossomed and I did that. Unfortunately the second part of my plan was to return later when the trees were at full blossom but the weather didn’t cooperate and the buds sort of skipped the full blossom stage and started to leave.

Some of the trees had small blossoms but nothing like the full blossoms from the past that the Chicago Park District website shows here.

I had been waiting for the Full Blossoms to get follow up photos but the Park District updated their website on April 18 and said the Full Blossoms would not happen, so …….

Within Jackson Park is Wooded Island with walking trails, a Japanese Garden (Garden of the Phoenix) and a Sculpture by Yoko Ono!

The info below was added 4/26/24 (see comments below)

Garden of the Phoenix

Ho-oh-den Phoenix Temple and Garden, Jackson Park, ca. 1936, Chicago Park District Special Collections

The Garden of the Phoenix symbolizes the mutual respect and friendship that Japan and the United States initiated more than 120 years ago. In 1893, here on Jackson Park's Wooded Island, the Japanese Government built the Ho-oh-den (Phoenix Temple ) as a pavilion for the World's Columbian Exposition. The Ho-oh-den Introduced Japan's artistic heritage to Americana and remained as a gift to Chicago after the Fair The original pavilion had only a small garden; however, in the mid-1930s, the newly formed Chicago Park District restored the pavilion and added a more extensive Japanese Garden Funded by the Works Progress Administration. the project incorporated Japanese elements including a small tea house from Chicago's 1933-34 World's Fair, A Century of Progress, in Burnham Park. After this site was repeatedly vandalized during WWII, fire destroyed the Phoenix Temple in 1946, less than a year after the war ended in the Pacific. Although Japan and America entered into a peace treaty in 1952, the garden deteriorated and received only minor improvements until the early 1930s, when the Chicago Park District received a federal grant for it’s restoration.

Since then, the Garden of the Phoenix has

bean revitalized several times, including a 1992 project that celebrated Chicago's Sister City relationship with Osaka, Japan.

Today, Chicago Park District works with non profit organizations

Project 120 Chicago and The Garden of the Phoenix Foundation to enhance, maintain, interpret and promote the legacy of this historic garden and Jackson Park.

o   Please respect the high level of maintenance that goes into caring for this garden and remain on the pathways.

o   Fishing, bicycles, pets, picnics, parties, or large groups, etc. are not allowed as they disrupt this special experience.

o   This garden is under 24 hour video surveillance and closes dally an hour after sundown. Violators are subject to arrest.

CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT

 

Click Here for a Video created from my photos there along with some random photos at the Garfield Park Conservatory (beginning and end of the Video :).

Another visitor to the Park appeared to be a big fan of Yoko Ono and hopefully she doesn’t mind being a part of my photos.

I also have a Bonus Video of more “Street/Sidewalk Art from Aurora as well as a few “Guest Cities”. As always, I use the term “Street/Sidewalk Art” very loosely, just accumulating photos as they catch my eye. View the Video here.

Have a Great Week and Enjoy the Roller Coaster Temperature Swings !!