History
Designed in 1928 by Chicago architect Clarence Hatzfeld in collaboration with famous greenhouse manufacturers Lord and Burnham, the Kilbourn greenhouse was originally built as a small conservatory. The Chicago Park District took over the Irving Park District in 1934 and converted the conservatory into a production greenhouse using WPA funds. Soon after, the Chicago Park District planted a large outdoor perennial garden in Kilbourn Park. Although this original garden was not maintained, a recent and renewed interest in gardening at the park sparked a volunteer program and a new perennial garden was planted. The expansion of the Kilbourn Park Fieldhouse in 1991 also enabled the park district to provide increased recreational programming for the local community. In 1996, community residents were successful in reopening the greenhouse as a teaching space and began programming an annual organic plant sale as well as with other park activities.
Specialties
Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse was established as a teaching space in 1996 and since that time has provided education on organic gardening to people of all ages. Kids can get their hands dirty while enjoying the Garden Buddies program for toddlers, and the Harvest Garden and Eco-Explorers programs for youth, while adult gardeners can take advantage of a continuing education lecture series sponsored by The Friends of Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, and a variety of other workshop opportunities. In addition to the diverse educational offerings, Kilbourn Park also hosts an outdoor children's garden and oversees a 25-plot community garden outside of the greenhouse, available for community members to grow their own organic herbs and vegetables.