Eden's Place in Fuller Park

So when I started off researching for this project, I was debating whether to write about Lincoln Park or Lincoln Square (You can really tell I like Lincoln huh?). Anyway, after a lot of endless research without any results on a topic, I have finally figured out what I want to write about: Eden Park in the community of Fuller Park. This place is really a miracle and I am very excited to finally be able to research my topic! So far this is all I have, but of course, Ill definitely be adding more in the future :) As for the resources, I put them in with the names because I have not put in the "Notes" in yet!

 

Introduction

Opened in 2003, Eden's Place is a site that does not reflect the common belief f those non-Chicagoans, as well as Chicagoans, that the city is consisted of only angles, lines, squares, bricks and copper wiring [1]. This abandoned junk yard turned nature center is located on the Chicago's South Side in Stewart Avenue in Fuller Park. Eden's Place serves and welcomes neighborhood residents of all ages in addition to visitors who are interested in the educational nature-based activities that Eden's Place has to offer.

 

History

In the year 200, the small neighborhood of Fuller PArk was announced as the area with the highest lead concentration in the entire Chicagoland area [from Chicago Tonight]. As a concerned parent, Michael Howard, founder of Eden's Place, started informing residents of the area's problem and projected his efforts in improving the Fuller Park area with the makings of Eden's Place [from Chicago Tonight]. The area that would be known as a "treasure" [www.fullerpark.com], was a rush and noise of traffic linned up besides factories [Prologue: Cloud over Chicago]. The location was between busy railroad tracks and the Dan Ryan's Expressway full of waste; however, with the help of hundreds of volunteers ranging from adults to children, the area started clearing up [from Chicago Tonight]. Unfortunately along the way, Michael Howard discovered that the area was being dumped on by the city itself with materials such as old railroad tracks and soon proved to the major of that time, Richard M. Daliey, and with that, the city agreed to he;[ wotj tjhe clean up, which they had not done in the first place [from Chicago Tonight]. As the project continued, Mr. Howard had to face several distrubing issues such as gang violence and local arguments that actually objected to the the opening of Eden's Place [From Chicago Tonight]. Michael Howard thought he was bringing nature into an urban area because Chicago [was thought to by many] represented all that ws most unnatural about human life [Prologue: Cloud Over Chicago]. Nevertheless, residents of the neighborhood complained that he was bringing black slavery because the people involved (majority were black), would be cultivating gardens [from Chicago Tonight]. Michael's intentions were far from creating an uneasy atmosphere for its residents; he wanted a better, healthier environment for the children [from Chicago Tonight]. Sadly, even gang members that dealt at the corners where Michael Howard planted butterflies at considered him a threat and on June 11, 2000 the Howard's home was fire bombed. Fortunately nobody was hurt [From Chicago Tonight]. As the advancement kept on with Eden's place, recongition from all around poured in to donate and volunteer. Finally in 2003, Eden's Place opened.

 

Context

Mission

History

Programs

      Field Trips

      Leaders in Training Programs

      Raising Animals

      Nature Restoration

      Educational Workshops

      Community Events

Awards and Recongition

Effect on Fuller Park

See Also

Notes