Part of being eco-conscious is utilizing the resources that we have and keeping them restored and in working condition rather than throwing them away or tearing them down and making something new. The restoration project of Buckingham Fountain in Chicago is a perfect example of this. The fountain is a beautiful centerpiece in Grant Park. Built in 1927 it has been a main attract of our Chicago parks for years and once the restoration project is complete is will continue to be for many years to come. Please read more about the restoration project and consider making a donation or even better, as I previously mentioned, take a tour of the fountain – you’ll not only get to learn more about the fountain but will be making a donation to the restoration. 

Have you ever wondered what it looks like beneath Chicago’s Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain? This summer, Parkways Foundation and the Chicago Park District present weekly guided tours of this Chicago icon.

I’m definitely going to do this tour this summer.  The fountain is magnificent and will be even more grand after the restoration is complete.  In the mean-time I think it’ll be very interesting to learn about the fountain and see the side of it that we normally can’t see.  The $50 tour fee benefits the restoration of the 82 year old fountain so it’ll be great to be a part of that – even in a small way!

Thirty-minute tours are offered every Friday at 12 Noon, and afford a rare glimpse of the underground pump works (pictured, at left). Tours are $50 and run from June 19 through September 4, while the fountain is closed for the first full restoration in its 82-year history.

Tour participants will receive a complimentary Buckingham Fountain Restoration Project Commemorative Poster and all proceeds will benefit the fountain’s restoration. For reservations or information, please contact the Parkways Foundation at 312.742.5368, or via email.

Spend your lunch break in Chicago’s Millennium Park where you will find concerts and special programs on the stage of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at noon all summer long. From June 1 through September 30, Millennium Park will offer free concerts in jazz, world music, indie-rock, hip hop and electronica, along with family programs and open rehearsals of the acclaimed Grant Park Music Festival.

June Performance Schedule is as follows:
Thursday, June 11 – Grant Park Music Festival Open Rehearsal
Friday, June 12 – Grant Park Music Festival Open Rehearsal
Saturday, June 13 – Prospects
Sunday, June 14 – Lisa DeRosia
Monday, June 15 – Pit Er Pat
Tuesday, June 16 – Grant Park Music Festival Open Rehearsal
Wednesday, June 17 – Grant Park Music Festival Open Rehearsal
Thursday, June 18 – Grant Park Music Festival Open Rehearsal
Friday, June 19 – Grant Park Music Festival Open Rehearsal
Saturday, June 20 – Prospects
Sunday, June 21 – Laura Doherty
Monday, June 22 – Soul/Funk Record Party
Tuesday, June 23 – Grant Park Music Festival Open Rehearsal
Wednesday, June 24 – Grant Park Music Festival Open Rehearsal
Thursday, June 25 – Stolie
Friday, June 26 – Lawrence Peters Outfit
Saturday, June 27 – Sonoi
Sunday, June 28 – Rose Nadolsky
Monday, June 29 – Black Moth Super Rainbow
Tuesday, June 30 – Grant Park Music Festival Open Rehearsal

It was a lovely morning for walking to work…here are a few photos I snapped along the way…

Millennium Park - notice the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Despite continued construction, the new modern wing of The Art Institute of Chicago appeared to be open for a member preview today!