Sustainability is finding new stability in one of Chicago's economically challenged neighborhoods.
Chicago Chapter of Cornet Global and its Emerging Leaders Committee are spearheading the development of New Horizons Community Garden in East Garfield Park, a unique green space that showcases and educates patrons on sustainable building practices in both the indoor and outdoor setting.
The park, slated to open at the end of summer 2008, is located at 425 South Central Park Avenue and encompasses three city lots.
Doug Widener, executive director of the US Green Building Council's Chicago Chapter, says the garden is a testament to the city's maverick mentality on green building practices.
"There will be everything from rain water recycling and harvesting to structures made from recycled materials, including concrete," says Widener, whose organization it taking an integral role in developing the two-phase project.
Also in the developmental mix: Openlands, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving open space in northeastern Illinois; The Boeing Corp., which contributed a grant of $25,000 for the project; and Shed Studio, who is working with the garden's award-winning architect, Ryuichi Ashizawa of Osaka, Japan.
Ashizawa was awarded the commission for New Horizons after the USGBC screened 120 different design entries from around the world. With help from the critical eyes of a jury and Shed Studio Principal Rashmi Ramaswamy, Ashizawa earned the berth of winning architect based on the merit and versatility of his design.
Ramaswamy says New Horizons Community Garden will feature an undulating "serpentine wall" snaking throughout the site. The wall heights will vary across the length of the garden, creating an intricate path of sheltered and open spaces for patrons.
"It's a growing wall," Ramaswamy says of the structure, which will be made from recycled concrete and steel. "So within the wall there is greenery and it takes this serpentine shape so you can sit down and have lunch. It creates an opportunity to have people gathering."
Additionally, New Horizons will offer public spaces and growing beds for plants and vegetables. Members of the community are encouraged to plot their plants on site. Ashizawa's wall design functions as an integral part of the separation.
"You can keep places where people gather separate from where the plants are growing," Ramaswamy says. "It creates a shelter, but at the same time makes everything still visible."
On March 29, The Emerging Leaders of CoreNet Chicago organized the first in series of volunteer days for members and friends to begin preparing the site for development. Nearly 40 volunteers turned to begin preparing the ground for the raised plant beds that will house a public array of veggies and plants.
Widener says that as the New Horizons project enters the second phase of development, both the USGBC and its collaborative partners are seeking additional funds to get the garden off the ground. When completed, Widener says it will be homage to Chicago's continuing commitment to sustainable building?and living?practices.
"There are plenty of community gardens and rain gardens and gardens taking advantage of sustainability?we are trying to make a living garden," Widener says. "What's possible in an urban garden?"
Practices, including irrigating places with rain versus city water are a good start. So are incorporating uses of solar energy and installation of permeable pavers, which absorb storm water run off.
"I certainly think we a have a dual use for this space as both a living garden and a living exhibition of sustainable practices," Widen says.
