EXPLORE THE LURIE GARDEN THIS SPRING AND SUMMER! MILLENNIUM PARK 2013
2013 Program Schedule All events are FREE unless otherwise noted. April 4 April 18 April 20 2 PM May 2 & May 9 S 7:30 AM May 11 to 3 PM Implementing the Design for the Lurie Garden Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Local landscape architect Terry Guen was responsible for installing the Lurie Garden s plantings, based on Piet Oudolf s designs. In this lecture she will illustrate the process and share her insights. Pre-registration is recommended but not required at The Vibrant Spring Garden The Lurie Garden is alive with bulbs, ephemerals and the first flush of hardy perennials with the arrival of spring. Join us to learn more about the plants that are the first to greet us at the Lurie Garden and how you can create a stellar spring season in your own home garden. Learn tips about spring gardening techniques and tour the Lurie Garden with staff. Celebrate Earth Day! Make Earth Day a family event! Join Lurie Garden staff for craft making and a sustainable scavenger hunt. Have fun while learning about different methods of water and energy conservation and how to support local plant and wildlife populations in our urban environment. Children should be 6-10 years old and accompanied by an adult. Morning Bird and Nature Walk with The Nature Conservancy Cloud Gate in Millennium Park Begin your day surrounded by nature and observing birds in the Lurie Garden and Millennium Park. Join Jeff Walk, Ph.D., director of science for The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, and Lurie Garden staff on this bird and plant appreciation walk. The Lurie Garden Spring Festival & Plant Sale The Lurie Garden Spring is a perfect time for planting! The Lurie Garden Spring Festival & Plant Sale will offer a variety of perennials and grasses to provide interest throughout the seasons, as well as food and shelter for local fauna. All proceeds support Lurie Garden public programs. The event also includes tours, hands-on gardening tips, plant-based crafts for kids, face painting, activities by local organizations and more. Quart size plants cost $5 and gallons cost $10. Please bring your own bags or boxes to transport your plants. KEY: FAMILY WORKSHOP ADULT WORKSHOP OR LECTURE GARDEN WALK SPECIAL EVENT/ WORKSHOP/OR TOUR
May 16 Beneficial Bugs in Your Home Garden Join Erik Grossnickle of Bartlett Tree Experts to learn about setting up an integrated pest management program for your garden. You will learn how to scout for pests, when it is necessary to take action and the best organic methods for treating them, including the use of beneficial insects. Let s Explore Spring! May 18 Join Lurie Garden staff and explore the vibrant colors of spring. Listen to a story, sing about spring colors and create a craft to take home. This workshop is for children ages 2 to 4 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Register at June 13 June 15 The Main Players of the Mixed Perennial Garden Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Selecting from the perennial plant palette of today can be daunting. Through edification and an open mind, a great collection of plants in a garden setting can be revealed. Craig Bergmann will share his approach on plant selection from the main team members of the mixed perennial garden. Pre-registration is recommended but not required at Summer Perennial Containers with Nancy Clifton Learn how to create a container for the summer season in Chicago. Discover how to combine perennials, herbs, annuals and vegetables to create a dynamic display. They are easy to create, require little maintenance and look stunning.
June 15 2 PM July 18 A Buzz about Bees Explore the fascinating world of honeybees. Learn how the queen runs a colony of bees and discover how they forage for food, build honeycombs and protect the hive. Join Lurie Garden staff to uncover why bees are so important in our world. Children should be 6-10 years old and accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Register at Indoor Composting with Urban Worm Girl Maybe indoor composting is all you can do with the space you have. Perhaps you already compost outdoors and are looking to learn more about what you can do to supplement your existing system. Join us and learn to set up and maintain homemade or commercial worm bins through hands on demonstrations and discover the benefits of other indoor composting methods including Bokashi. July 27 10:30 AM to 3 PM Kaleidoscope Family Festival at Art Institute Chicago Art Institute Chicago Take part in a day of discovery, creativity, and family fun at Art Institute Chicago. Explore art-making and activity stations for all ages (teens too!) all over the museum. Led by staff from AIC Family Programs and their cultural partners, including the Lurie Garden. Meet the Art Institute s mascot, Artie the Lion! Aug. 10 Aug. 15 A Garden of Colors August is a magical month in the Lurie Garden, soaking in the brilliant colors with the bees and butterflies. You and your family are invited to join Chicago children s musician Shana Harvey on a musical journey through this urban oasis of color and life! In addition to six spectacular summers leading Stories and Songs at the Lurie Garden, Shana is a teaching artist with the Ravinia Festival and Old Town School of Folk Music. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children should be 6-10 years old and accompanied by an adult. Morning Butterfly and Garden Walk Explore the Lurie Garden with Living Invertebrate Specialist Karen Kramer Wilson of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Learn about the plants that attract butterflies and support these specialized ecosystems. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Register at
Ongoing Summer Programs Meet at the south end of the boardwalk for all events. FRIDAYS & SUNDAYS S TUESDAYS SUNDAYS Tours of Lurie Garden Fridays from 11 AM-1:30 PM and Sundays from -1:30 PM, May 5 through September 22 (No tours on May 12). Take a short guided tour to learn about the Lurie Garden s design and history, our perennial plants, and the wildlife that fills the garden. Tours last approximately 20 minutes and depart every 15-20 minutes. No registration required. Ask Me Days 11 AM-1:30 PM, May 9 through September 19. Stop by our information tent on the south end of the boardwalk to get answers to all your questions about the Lurie Garden. No registration required. Raptors in the Garden June 18, July 16 and Aug. 13, from 6 PM-8 PM. Observe majestic birds of prey up close and learn about their habitat, adaptations and the challenges that they face in an urban environment. No registration required. Stories & Songs with Shana Harvey June 23, July 21 and Aug. 25, 11 AM-12 PM. Enjoy a morning filled with nature-based stories, music and movement with your little ones! Chicago-based teacher and singer/songwriter Shana Harvey will lead you and your child in an interactive sing along with folk songs from all over the world. Shana, a teaching artist with both Old Town School of Folk Music and Ravinia, thinks that an urban garden is truly something to sing about! Snacks, blankets and music-makers are welcome! Children should be under 6 years old and accompanied by an adult. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Register online at
Did you know that our free programming is supported by our members? To learn more about the many benefits of membership, visit Join today! Millennium Park Incorporated, Lurie Garden Endowment City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Printed sustainably using 100% wind power, responsibly harvested paper, Printed sustainably using 100% wind power, responsibly harvested paper, vegetable based printing inks and ultra-low V.O.C. pressroom chemistry vegetable based printing inks and ultra-low V.O.C. pressroom chemistry