Kilbourn Greenhouse

Discover the wonderful world of nature! Spark your curiosity and explore the fun & educational offerings at the Chicago Park District’s only park with a teaching greenhouse, located within the grounds of Kilbourn Park.

Kids can get their hands dirty while enjoying the 3-season Harvest Garden youth program, Garden Buddies program for toddlers, environmental-themed projects and crafts, as well as various family workshops throughout the year. Plus, each spring the greenhouse hosts its annual plant sale for community gardeners.

The first-ever public fruit tree orchard in a major metropolitan city was planted in Kilbourn Park at the Greenhouse in fall 2008. The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation generously donated 24 high-quality, mature fruit trees and helped plant with a team of volunteers a new orchard at Kilbourn Park. The fruit trees include apples, pears, plums, cherries, and paw paws. They are still getting adjusted to their new home, but we look forward to years of harvesting fruit in the park! In addition, we planted currants, goumie berries, blackberries, raspberries and several grape vines. These fruits are going to be a wonderful addition to our already abundant strawberry harvest.

Location: Kilbourn Park is located at 3501 N. Kilbourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641 in Chicago’s Kilbourn Park neighborhood {on the south side of Addison Street, between Cicero and Milwaukee Avenues}.

Hours: The greenhouse is open 7 days a week for 9am-3pm; their hours of operation vary with the season. The fieldhouse is open 7 days a week, excluding major holidays.

Volunteering 

The strength of the volunteer team at Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse is an important part of its success and their commitment, reliability and knowledge ensure the success of our events and programs.

There are three main areas where regular volunteer opportunities exist:

• Educational Programs: This is a great opportunity for people who enjoy working with children in a garden setting. Work involves interacting with children in after school and/or summer camp programming. A background in education, gardening, or knowledge of the environment is preferred but not necessary. High energy is a plus! Ideal for volunteers who can dedicate one to two days a week consistently.
• Garden Maintenance: More of a plant person? Join our dedicated group of garden volunteers. Tasks include weeding, watering, and use of garden tools. Occasional heavy lifting and shoveling required. If you’re experienced, be a team leader; if a novice, come and learn from experts.
• Special Events: This is an ideal opportunity for those who would like to volunteer but have limited time. We have five annual events with a wide range of work opportunities.

 How to get started: If you are interested in volunteering with us please come to one of our Volunteer Orientations, held seasonally. You will also need to fill out the Chicago Park District’s volunteer form. Once your application is processed and approved, we will contact you. You will begin with Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse’s volunteer orientation before choosing your specific area of interest.

Community Garden

Community at the Garden

Community means many things at Kilbourn Park. You might be the parent of a child at day camp or a frequent visitor to our open garden hours. Perhaps you are interested in learning more about gardening or are interested in a community garden plot. Regardless of your reasons for visiting the garden, you are a part of the Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse community – each one of us is a thread in the fabric that supports the work the mission of the garden. Each visit you make celebrates the existence of the garden and reinforces it’s value in Chicago. We look forward to seeing you!

Community Gardening

Low on garden space but eager to grow organic veggies? Kilbourn Park has 25 community garden plots located behind the children’s garden. Community gardeners follow strict organic growing practices. Community growers share gardening information and get together for an annual picnic in the garden.

Annual Events 

Annual Events - Check the calendar of events for additional events held at Kilbourn Park and the Greenhouse.

Garden Buddies

• Garden Buddies is a fun filled family event that celebrates the seasons of the garden through hands-on activities. Activities are geared for two to eight year-olds and vary depending on the season. Some examples of past activities include: Root Views, Pine Cone Bird Feeders, Leaf Journals, Animal Masks, Plantable Notecards, and Snow Globes. Weather permitting, the event includes outdoor scavenger hunts and tours of the garden. No matter what the season, children can always get their hands dirty digging and planting in our indoor garden area.

Annual Plant Sale

• For three months, our team of dedicated volunteers works with the greenhouse staff propagating thousands of plants from seed to be ready for our annual Plant Sale held each May. A half-off sale on remaining plants is generally held a week after the sale. This is a great chance to stock up on a variety of edible plants and flowers. Friends of Kilbourn Park will also be selling seeds, perennials, and herb planters.

Harvest Festival

• This annual event celebrates the summer garden and its bounty through hands-on crafts, organic gardening demonstrations, and cooking demonstrations with Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse volunteers. This a family event open to all members of the community. This year’s Harvest Festival will include a Perennial Swap, demonstrations on Garlic Growing, Food Preservation, other cooking and garden demonstrations such as seed saving, composting, preparing your garden for fall and techniques for season extension.

Mission 

Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse advances environmental stewardship in our community by connecting people to nature, teaching sustainable gardening practices, and promoting fresh and healthy food to people of all ages through garden-based educational programs.