Edgebrook Garden Walk

(2 reviews)

Great product and service. The owner took time to meet with me to discuss my concerns, which was…read morereassuring. The beds are beautiful and will be so helpful in growing vegetables! Don't wait too long to get your own raised beds - life is too short to work with poor soil conditions. Create your own good soil condition by getting these raised beds and enjoy the results!

Can't recommend enough... Michael was super helpful, quick…read moreand nice throughout the purchase and install. The bed looks great and we can't wait to start planting our first garden this year.

Lincoln Square Community Garden

This community garden was established in 2011 by then Alderman Gene Schulter. It was a dirty lot…read morebefore it was developed into this green urban space. It is completely organic, adhering to strict standards to keep it that way. I have had the pleasure of helping maintain the garden since the beginning. It is very well run by the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber, along with many really awesome community gardeners from the area. Plots vary from vegetable gardens to zen areas and we even have some hops growing from year to year. If you are interested in participating, contact the chamber. There is a waitlist for plots that you can be added to. The garden is usually locked but if you come by when some of the gardeners are around, you are more than welcome to walk through and admire the hard work as long as you respect the space.

Kilbourn Park & Organic Green House

(17 reviews)

•$

The locals know to go here for the annual organic greenhouse plant sale, which was Saturday 5/20…read moreand Sunday 5/21. Get there early, as the nicer and larger plants sell very quickly. Also, it's cash only, and make sure you bring your own boxes to carry your plants. The volunteers are really nice and helpful here. Prices started at $3 for the smaller plants and went up from there. The organic green house not only offers children's and adult classes, they also have a wonderful community garden which is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm. it is also the only teaching greenhouse from the Chicago Park District, located within the grounds of Kilbourn Park. They seek to connect people to nature, teach sustainable gardening practices, and promote fresh and healthy food to people of all ages through garden-based programming. Kids can enjoy the Garden Buddies program for toddlers, plus the Harvest Garden and Eco-Explorers programs for youth. Adult gardeners can attend a continuing education series and other workshops sponsored by The Friends of Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse. Although the park is one of the smaller ones in the city, they have a soccer field, tennis courts, playground, basketball court, Kilbourn Park also offers different after school programs for kids and a summer camp that is quite good.

This is quite an extensive park! We met a group of friends here for one of their periodic bat…read morewalks, which I think was a program of the Friends of Kilbourn Park. They do have a good sized field house here, with programming for a variety of age ranges, so it's worth checking out the CPD activities schedule. There's lots of green space, but also baseball fields, tennis courts, and a nice sized playground. The playground, too, serves a nice range of ages. But what I liked most about this park was the greenhouse and outdoor natural play area. There are places for kids to sit for various activities that take place here, an outdoor kitchen, and a large greenhouse. It's called a "teaching greenhouse", and is unique amongst Chicago parks (at least as of 2026). There's a program called garden buddies aimed at toddlers and I wish I lived closer to be able to have my child participate in it! There's also a plant sale each year. If all that weren't enough, an orchard--the first in a major metropolitan city in the US!--was planted in 2008. Apples, pears, and more--including the paw paw, an unusual, native Illinois fruit--grow on these trees. Currants, berries, and more have also been planted here. I'm excited to keep an eye on their events.

Chicago Avenue Community Garden

I was walking down Chicago Avenue when I was stopped by an enthusiastic young boy pointing me in…read morethe direction of the market. I have walked by this garden many times and was always curious about it. I told the boy that I would be back later in the afternoon. I am glad I did. I just bought a large bag of beautiful looking Spinach for $2-- the young farmers here host a farmers market on Saturdays. I'm not sure what time it starts but it ends at 3. The garden is a part of an organization called Growing Power. Yelp them to find out more. From the website-- The garden is located in the quickly changing neighborhood adjacent to the Cabrini-Green row houses. The garden is a traditional community garden with free plots allocated to individual gardeners. Since its inception, Growing Power has supplied the materials, assisted in designing and building the space, served on the garden's planning committee, provided daily staff and technical assistance during the growing season, and developed and implemented a youth curriculum for neighborhood kids and new gardeners. The gardens 36 biological worm system raised beds were built on top of concrete and have been abundantly producing fresh vegetables and fruits. This garden is designed to create dialogue, community engagement and empowerment as well as introduce a source for fresh, safe, healthy, homegrown produce to the community. The site is also the gathering space for many of the children living in the neighborhood. Garden staff provide a multi-disciplinary curriculum for the two-hundred plus children who visit the garden during the season. Children have the opportunity to learn math through counting and adding tomatoes harvested from the Pizza Garden and to read poems under the pumpkin teepee.

Peterson Garden Project

1.9

(9 reviews)

I second what the previous reviewer said about the water being in an uncovered filthy trough. See…read morephoto. After bringing up the matter to the garden managers, there were no changes, only an offer to scrub the sides of the trough. We tried to bring our own water to garden, but ultimately that was a ridiculous endeavor, since we paid to have access to fresh water to water our garden. Never grew a thing because who wants to bring their own water to a community garden, after paying a fee to garden? Like the other reviewer said, we paid for a box of dirt. The woman who started this project left Chicago long ago and I don't know who is at the helm at the moment.

This review is about their two day annual edible plant sale held on May 15 & 16, 2021…read moreat: Chicago Market Grocery Co-op Building 4620 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60640 What an amazing experience...this was their 9th annual edible plant sale for warm weather crops. All of the tables were set up in squares so people could walk around and view all of the amazing offerings. What a colossal variety of offerings. I purchased a Brandywine Tomato plant to grow on my balcony. It was $5.99 for a 4 inch healthy and hearty plant! Already a week later it continues to thrive and grow taller with more leaves! I could not be happier. The seedling offerings included: Tomatoes - Amish Paste, Black from Tula, Black Krim, Brandywine, Yellow Brandywine, Sweet Red Cherry, Black Cherry, Chocolate Cherry, Cherokee Purple, German Johnson, Green Zebra, Mortgage Lifter, Paul Robeson, Rutgers, San Marzano, Sungold, Taxi, Yellow Pear, and Tomatillos Peppers - Sweet Banana, California Wonder, Orange Bell, Purple Bell, Red Bell, Yellow Bell, Anaheim hot, Cayenne hot, Habanero hot, Jalapeno hot, Pepperoncini hot, Poblano Ancho hot, Serrano hot Eggplant - Black Beauty, Rosa Bianca, White Cucumber - Adam Gherkin, Diva, Marketmore, Mexican Sour Gherkin, Pickling, Straight 8 Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower Cabbage, Collards, Kale (green, red, Dino) Greens - Arugula (regular, Wasabi), Lettuce (Butter, Gourmet Mix, Romaine), Mesclun Mix (regular, spicy), Sorrel, Spinach Squash - Butternut, Delicata, Gold Rush compact yellow summer, Spacemiser compact zucchini, Peter Pan (patty pan), Pie Pumpkin Edible Flowers - Calendula, Echinacea, English Daisy, assorted Nasturtiums including Alaska, Empress India, Fordhook, Gleam, Jewel Herbs - Basil (many types), Chamomile, Chives (regular, garlic), Cilantro, Dill, Fennel, assorted Lavender, Lemon Grass, Marjoram, assorted Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, assorted Sage, Summer Savory, Tarragon, assorted Thyme, also some unique herbs such as Mexican Pepper Plant (Root Beer Plant), East and West Indian Lemongrass, Rue, and Tea Tree An Overview of the Peterson Garden Project- "Founder LaManda Joy, inspired by her own parent's involvement in WW2, discovered that the empty lot at Peterson and Campbell had once been a Victory Garden. With the hope of doing something positive on this historic piece of empty city land and "teaching 20 people how to grow their own food" our project was born." Source: https://www.petersongarden.org/ FYI- The Victory Gardens were established to help sustain the fruit and vegetable supply by encouraging and creating local gardens during the World War II effort to provide individuals and families across the United States with access to food. Victory Gardens in Chicago: "During World War II, Chicago led the nation in urban food production with its Victory Gardens program of 1,500 community gardens and more than 250,000 home gardens. The city's North Park neighborhood was also home to the largest Victory Garden in the United States." Source: https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-5196 Learn More about the Chicago Victory Garden Movement and the founder of the Peterson Garden Project LaManda Joy by clicking the link below: https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-5196

Merchant Park Community Garden

4.0

This neighborhood allotment garden just opened in May 2011 with 32 plots, and is planning to expand…read morenext year. It's located in an open area between the alleys behind Addison, Milwaukee, and Keeler. The spring baked goods and flower sale opening day party was a lot of fun and I'm hoping the fall cleanup event will be even bigger and better.

El Paseo Community Garden

El Paseo Community Garden is one of those things that defines the greatness of Chicago. Humble…read morebeginnings of vacated land made way for the sunlight and brought neighbors together. Plants, specifically edible varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs are the focus, but there are beautiful flowers and indigenous prairie species in abundance as well. Translated to English, El Paseo means the way. The name speaks to this green spaces role as a path connecting two streets, as well as an approach to life in the city that generally speaking is the way for us all to stay sane and even happy living together in the vast urban jungle of Chicago. Growing things together.

Woodridge Park

(4 reviews)

I probably shouldn't be giving this away as this sport has gotten way popular but this is a Great…read morepark for pickle ball. They actually have 2 pickle courts and 1 tennis court that's capable of playing pickle with the pickle ball lines in them. There's also available basketball court and some benches for picknickers. Most people (I say most) have been respectful of the court availability and are courteous to each other. We probably ran into only 1 Karen and let's hope that was a rarity around here.

This park is at the end of my block. We walk/roll down here regularly. The tennis courts got turned…read moreinto pickleball courts. There is a basketball court and a huge park. There's a big open field and lots of parking. There are also two water fountains.

Bowmanville Garden Walk

I almost talked myself out of attending the Bowmanville Garden Walk. It was overcast, I was tired,…read morebut I didn't want to go later than I'd planned (I wanted to be there at 9,'when it started, but I got there just before 10); I worried there would be so many people I might not be able to enjoy it. I went anyway, thankfully. I didn't think a garden walk would ever be my thing--I only went because it was something to do, and it was outdoors--but I was wrong. It was inexpensive, with a suggested donation of $10 (I'm sure read on the sign or webpage that it was $5, but no big deal). Bowmanville has a great deal of parking, so that would not likely be an issue, and certainly wasn't when I was here. They had a couple of master gardeners at the welcome tent ready to answer gardening questions! The walk goes roughly from Foster to Bowmanville and Ravenswood to Western. There were about 15 homes on the garden walk plus some community gardens. There first-time homes and returning participants. Every person I visited was so incredibly welcoming. I wish I knew more about gardening so I could as better/more intelligent questions! One woman offered cuttings of herbs as they produced more than she expected, so I left with a quart-sized bag of tarragon and of thyme. If I had any idea what to do with mint, she was ready to give me that too. Across the street, I learned the garden includes tiles her parents found on the roadside in New York in the 50s, brought home to Michigan, and there they decorated the family home for decades. When this woman's mother sold that home and moved in with her in Chicago a few years ago, the homeowner asked her mom to have the tiles removed and they brought them here to be placed in the garden. I love that those tiles have such a long history in the family, and are a source of fond memories that have followed them here to Chicago. As I walked to a hole on the tour I stopped to admire a unique stone fence, and the owner (not on tour) shared how the fence was made by a prior owner to depict the story of his arrival in the United States. Another home, that I've driven by countless times over the 13 years I've lived in my home, had grapes (concord and champagne!) growing not only in the backyard but along the sidewalk in the front. The vines are 40 years old! That home also was growing cilantro (you can use it even flowering in your cooking, I learned), and had garlic in the garden as ornamental plants. This home has won best in show three different years, and it's easy to see why. That family said to come back and honestly I would love to in order to look more closely at their garden again. Diana is the owner of the final home I visited. She told us how she designed her garden by simply taking a hose, making an outline she liked the inside of which she left as grass, and outside the outline she pulled up and planted and now has a wonderfully tranquil and very special space. She showed me the single remaining Forget-Me-Not remaining in her garden, which was given to her in 1976. I wasn't even born then, and it astounds me that this plant is a descendent of a particular plant she revived; she has a lovely reminder of the person who gave her that plant every day. She said that many of the plants in her garden are gifts. I love that her garden--and so many of the others--are so personal and could never be replicated. Diana invited me to have some tea and refreshments, and I got to meet her sweet dog Marigold (this coming from someone who is decidedly not a dog person!), and she too invited me to return. I may actually take her up on that, because I really enjoyed learning from her and hearing the story of her garden. She also said marigold took a liking to me so I may not want to disappoint her.... They have a photography contest that I wish I had entered; it was a $5 entry fee and the winner's photo is the poster for the following year. Next year I will definitely enter. I only wish that they had another way to pay (for entering the photo contest and for the suggested donation). It was cash or Venmo only, and I struggled with Venmo for quite a while. Even Zelle would have been easier... or indicated on the poster/media that it was cash or Venmo. I've already got a reminder on my phone for next summer so that I can make sure to get the date on my calendar and attend again. This garden walk was so lovely that I've made a note to look for about 20 others that happen in the city and suburbs next year, in hopes that I can attend; I looked for more this year but it appears that June and July are the prime time for garden walks. I did find a native plants garden walk in Oak Park happening, and along with the one here in Ravenswood (the inaugural Ravenswood Garden Walk!) I'm really looking forward to them. I'm really glad that the BCO turned me on to a new event that I've found I really love!

Chicago Appliance Repair Doctor

(757 reviews)

This was the best decision I've ever done. I used them to fit an ice cube machine- they were quick…read moreand it was so easy to get it done. Couldn't be happier with the decision. They were reasonably priced and very efficient

Great Service! I…read moreused the project request here on Yelp and the business reached out to schedule the service. Today the tech came out and serviced the refrigerator, stove and checked washing machine seals. He noticed the ducts needed cleaning so we have that scheduled once the parts come in for the other appliance. Tech was very knowledgeable and personable. Highly recommend this business. Pricing was affordable.

Drain-EEZ Plumbing

(531 reviews)

Updating my review because I had another great experience with Pat! This time it was a leaking…read morefaucet on a Sunday night. I messaged and got a quick response asking me to give him a call. Within a minute, he walked me through the fix over the phone--problem solved. I'm so appreciative that he consistently puts customer service first and takes the time to help without immediately jumping to a service call. Truly above and beyond! Original review: I messaged Drain-EEZ Plumbing about my broken disposal on a Sunday morning, hoping they could provide a quote for the fix. Instead, I got a prompt reply from Pat offering to first try to help me over the phone. I gave him a call and he walked me through what he correctly expected to be a quick fix I could do on my own. He saved me the cost of a visit and taught me a new skill - can't thank him enough for the great customer service!

Talked with Pat about a leaking toilet. He came on time and tried to fix the leak but the bolts…read morewere too rusted on a toilet that was over 25 years old. He suggested replacing the old toilet. He did an excellent job putting in the new unit. He gave me some information about another problem that I was having about an outside faucet. He said it would be too expensive to replace and I do not need it since there is another faucet outside. Highly recommend this company.

Junk Relief

4.9

(393 reviews)

Hired to remove a 2 piece sectional sofa. Great communication. They texted when on way, came during…read morethe scheduled range, and were out in 10min. I have had bad luck with services not showing up, and leaving me sitting there waiting, so the professionalism was much appreciated. Price was what I was quoted, and was the same as other quotes I got. Would definitely hire again if needed.

JunkRelief provided invaluable haulage service as part of our downsizing for moving to a smaller…read moreapartment after 26 years. Juan and Edwin were efficient, indefatigable, friendly and a pleasure to work with. The price was fair and worth it!

Carrectly Auto Care

(369 reviews)

Carrectly Auto Care provided an excellent experience from start to finish. The team was…read moreprofessional, responsive, and easy to communicate with throughout the entire process. They were very transparent with pricing, delivered exactly as promised, and paid great attention to detail. The quality of service truly stands out, and it's clear they care about customer satisfaction. If you're looking for a reliable and trustworthy auto care provider, Carrectly Auto Care is definitely a great choice.

Carrectly Auto Care provided a smooth and professional service experience. The staff explained the…read morework clearly and kept me updated during the process. The repair was completed on time and the car was returned in good condition

Easy Way Pest Control

4.9

(220 reviews)

Easy and fast communication. Quick and thorough appointment. Provided detailed report over the…read morephone. Very professional and solved our problem in 1 visit.

We have ants and silverfish problem in our house…read more Emil did a great job with the customer service, very helpful, responsive, and gives a pretty good rundown what would be expected. The price is pretty reasonable, especially for 2 pests, and not overcharged as other companies. It comes with 2 visits, 2 weeks apart from the first. However, the on site experience was not as great as mentioned. Technician came, went to spraying right away, and it felt like he was in a rush. Did not really check what might be the cause of the infestation (would not be an easy thing to investigate, but we did not really see the effort to find the cause). We see a great reduced number of ants, but still see a few lingering around, not as concerned number as before, but we feeling better about the ants. Also, 2 weeks after the second treatment we keep seeing silverfish back even after the treatment and trap was applied (they mentioned the number might increase the following week/10 days after treatment due to them trying to leave the premises, or longer since the treatment is pet/child safe product and it might take a bit to work). After the 2 visits, extra visit/treatment will cost extra, even with some pests coming back. - Giving a 5 stars still since they gave me a full refund due to my dissatisfaction with the service on site. Treatment did not do as well to the my pests situation, but great customer priority, owning up to their words, and honesty overall.

Upholstery by Jorge's

(203 reviews)

Quality work by these guys…read more I would highly recommend them - honest pricing, outstanding craftsmanship with a quick turn time. Their communication was also outstanding. The real deal.

This review is long overdue. Two years ago, I took in a living room chair cushion with an insert…read morethat was failing. Two days later, I picked it up. The insert is still as functional as the day I brought in home. The pricing was fair. I highly recommend this company.

Chicago HVAC Repair Doctor

4.7

(211 reviews)

My AC was not working. I called into Chicago HVAC and they were able to send a technician out same…read moreday (Thanks Maria!). The tech resolved our problem within an hour of being here. Great service, the technician took photos of before and after, explained the issue found and how he was going to resolve the problem, and brought shoe booties to keep our house clean. Highly recommend.

I was referred to Chicago HVAC by my neighbor who had great things to say! I called to schedule an…read moreHVAC maintenance, and service was friendly and efficient. I needed some repairs in my furnace, which Orlando just came out to do. He was communicative, professional, and so helpful. He was so thorough and explained everything so well. I highly recommend this company given the fair pricing and excellent service!

Edgebrook Garden Walk - communitygardens - Updated July 2026

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Osaka Garden

(6 reviews)

What an absolutely tranquil garden just plopped in Chicago. The garden is so beautiful, peaceful,…read moreand clearly well and carefully maintained and curated. As you walk along the gravel and stone paths, there are a variety of trees and greenery, a lovely small bridge, and a waterfall with a koi fish pond. The gold koi fish were so cool! I think I've only seen orange ones before. I really enjoyed that. There's also a stone lantern that dates back to the worlds fair. There was a kind guy at the entrance who gave us some history on the garden as well, which was a really nice intro before we perused the space. I hope they're able to continue to maintain this little sanctuary in Chicago (if not grow it to be even larger)! I also hope that some benches and potential seating areas could be incorporated to allow for time to sit and reflect.

Osaka Garden was created for the 1893 World's Columbian Expo. It was a gift from Japan to Chicago…read more To this day, the garden still has a strong connection to Osaka Japan, which has provided funding for its restoration. Also known, as the "Garden of the Phoenix," it is a traditional strolling garden with wonderful winding paths. Some features that we liked were the waterfalls, the moon bridge, and the koi ponds. At the entrance, there is a majestic Shinto gate. It offered a beautiful respite from our bustling and busy downtown Chicago stay. On a Saturday morning, we didn't find it too crowded yet. If you don't have a car, it is an easy 20 minute ride on the Metra from Millenium Park. Know BEFORE you go: -Located inside Jackson Park on Wooded Island -Hours: Mondays closed. Tues-Sun (10am-6pm) -Allows no more than 50 guests at a time to ensure the best experience for each guest. - Dogs, bicycles, and strollers are not allowed in the garden. Picnics are also not allowed. -You can request a tour for a group of 5 or more guests on their website.

North Center Neighbors Association

4.0

Well I'm not sure why Yelp changed the name of this entry, which was North Center Garden Walk, one…read moreof if not *the* major event that the association puts on. But this review is for the garden walk specifically. Held each July, this is one of the more extensive garden walks in the area. 2023 is the first time I attended. There were 45-50 gardens on the walk (which included a few parkway gardens that are the responsibility of the association). The home gardens were lovely and featured yards of all types, from hardscaping to lush green space that looked more like it belonged in a forest preserve than a shared yard in North Center. There is a trolley that one can use to visit the various gardens, as they span a large area--there are gardens east of Damen, as well as some several blocks west of Western. This year, though, the trolley was a bit confused so hopefully they'll get that back on track next year. I'm not sure the trolley stopped at the correct stops (it passed me when I was walking down Bell, and that's not a street that had a trolley stop) so I wasn't sure I could trust it to actually be at the place it was supposed to be. So next time I might take the trolley, but I might also just drive to an area where I wanted to wander and take a look at the gardens (however, there are areas where some gardens are located that are permit parking only so that could be tricky). Sadly, most of the gardens that I went to didn't have anyone in them. That's ok I suppose but it's fun to hear from the owners what inspired their gardens, what they enjoy most about them, and so on. I was walking around between about 12:45-1:45 or so and but only met a couple of homeowners. Since I'm 38 weeks pregnant I couldn't do as much wandering as I'd hoped (there's only one bathroom on the route, and it was a mile from where I was) but perhaps next year I'll hit more homes and get to hear from the owners. Something that makes this garden walk cool and different from some of the others I've been to is that they have bands playing at several houses. There were about five bands, I believe, playing throughout the day. I saw one that was setting up and one was actually playing when I visited the garden next door. They were a folk band and they were really enjoyable! Another really great and fun part of this walk is that they have several kids' lemonade stands set up throughout the walk. I passed an unofficial one too (and bought a lemonade--it was delicious). I love that they work to include so many people in the neighborhood in the walk. I would like to return again and probably will next year. It seemed a tiny bit disorganized this year but I can tell it's a very good event. The sudden downpour probably put a bit of a damper on the afternoon too. I only wish it was two days long so I could more easily see all the gardens!

Mayfield Community Garden

4.0

A project of thew Third Unitarian Church A place for people to grow their own vegetables and to…read morecontribute to their own plots

Picket Fence Daycare and Learning Center

(6 reviews)

All 4 of my boys have gone here/still attending here. I love all of the teachers and the…read moreadministrative staff they are all so nice and caring. This daycare is clean and they are organized. I would definitely recommend to anyone with small children.

*specific location being reviewed: Elmwood Park*…read more Wonderful childcare center! Picket Fence owner, Ms. Toni, genuinely cares about the children enrolled at her facility; she even addresses /knows each child by name! Kind teachers/staff all around. The children enjoyed being there /being involved w/ classroom activities...happy, smiling children =always a good sign(: I was also impressed by the fact that numerous Picket Fence teachers have been at this Elmwood Park location since it opened, which I believe (if I can remember correctly) was 1994! Now that's dedication!

Beyond Hunger

Exciting News for the Community - A New Chapter for Beyond Hunger !…read moreFor those wondering about the future of the former grocery space at 6209 W North Avenue, there is a wonderful project on the horizon. This location is officially becoming the new, permanent home for Beyond Hunger, a vital non-profit that serves thousands of our neighbors across the West Side and suburbs. They are transforming this massive space into a state-of-the-art 6,000-square-foot Community Market designed for dignity, allowing clients to shop for their own groceries in a traditional store setting. This move will consolidate their services... including a community kitchen and social service support... into one accessible hub. How you can help right now: Beyond Hunger is in the final stretch of their 'Building for the Future' capital campaign. They have raised 87% of their $3.7 million goal, but community and corporate support is still needed to finalize renovations and establish a permanent building fund. To Donate: Visit GoBeyondHunger.org For Major Gifts/Sponsorships: Reach out to Teri Miller (Director of Development) at 708-613-4200 or Rashida Dairyko (Major Gifts Officer) at 708-840-0288. Let's help them cross the finish line and turn this vacant space into a beacon of hope for the community !

Proud To Run

3.8

(5 reviews)

I discovered Proud To Run after searching runguides.com for running events in the Chicago and…read moreChicagoland area during the month of June. I considered it because I support anything LGBTQ, plus I imagined that it would be a fun event to participate in with it being pride month. Out of the option to run either the 5k or 10k, I selected the 5k being that it was my preference in distance at the time. As for Proud to Run as an organization, it is staffed entirely by volunteers and donates 100% of its net revenues to mission-driven LGBTQ non-profits across Chicago. For packet pick-up, we were required to pick up our bib number and Proud to Run tank top from either Fleet Feet Old Town, or Montrose Harbor Grove 16 leading up to the event depending on the date. The hours were pretty much the same each day at Fleet Feet Old Town, but I ended up picking up my bib and tank top the day of the event at Montrose Harbor Grove 16 being that it was most suitable for me. I eased into the run with the mindset of taking it easy and using it as a training run since it has been so hot as of late in Chicago. I kept my pace within a 7:10 - 7:45 minute mile pace, with the goal of finishing the 5k in no more than 25:00 minutes. This flat course started at Montrose Harbor Grove 16 and headed along the Lakefront path slightly passed Foster Avenue Beach and back to Montrose Harbor Grove 16. Always a lovely sight is the Lakefront, which I have visited many times for training runs as well as run events. Along the course each mile was marked and there was an identifiable hydration station featuring water within it. And the volunteers working at the hydration station were enthusiastic and supportive of all participants. There were affiliates of Proud To Run near the finish line within Montrose Harbor Grove 16. After finishing the run, I just wanted to grab whatever hydration and snacks were available, relax and see what other festivities followed the event. I loved hearing about the history of the event which was organized by Peg Gray of the Gay Athletic Association, along with Rob Williams and Jim White back in 1982. Along with that and hearing more about the struggles of the LGBTQ community this year with some I am familiar with, I cherished the experience even more. Now as for the swag, I anticipated picking up the Proud To Run tank top prior to the start of the event. I quickly put it on after I picked it up minutes before the event. It was maroon with the event name written on the lower half, with the words "Love right now" inside of a heart; and it fit my body frame perfectly! The cute medal given once I crossed the finish line featured a moveable heart with birds on each side and the event name on the lower half; the color of it matched the tank top. As a memory of the event, I am grateful to add the medal to my collection that goes back to 2007 when I initially started running. With my Garmin 235 GPS watch on my wrist, a sparkle in my eye underneath my sunglasses, I took on Proud To Run 5k.... and conquered it! As a supporter of LGBTQ, I would surely run Proud To Run again in time. Any event that brings individuals together of different ethnic backgrounds, gender, and age groups I am all for it! Thank you very much, Proud to Run Chicago. ~Gonna run 'til I don't jiggle. ~ Thomas G

This year was my second year running Proud to Run. Last year I ran the 5k, and this year I ran the…read more10k. I'm already planning to run the race again next year, because it is one of my favorite things about Chicago's Pride celebration. Proud to Run is awesome for a lot of reasons. It has been part of Chicago's Pride activities since 1982, and everyone is invited to come out to run and celebrate, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. In addition to celebrating pride, the race raises funds for local LGBT organizations. This year's beneficiaries were Affinity Community Services, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, and Chicago House. With race entries getting more expensive every year regardless of distance, I'm always more willing to hand over my money when I know the money is going to a good cause. And, in order to keep as much of the money as possible going to the chosen charities every year, Proud to Run is organized by an all volunteer, community based board of directors. How great is that? Even with it being all volunteer led, the race is extremely well organized. Online registration is quick and simple, and there is always plenty of information about the race available at the website and email reminders sent leading up to race day. There are also plenty of packet pick up opportunities, with five different advance packet pick up dates offered this year, in addition to race day packet pick up. The course is pretty standard, starting at Montrose Harbor and winding through the park, utilizing the Lake Front Trail. The course this year was well marked and easy to follow, with volunteers stationed at any turns to make sure that racers went in the right direction. All of the volunteers, from packet pick up, to water stations, to those just making sure folks know where to turn on the course, were lovely. These were some of the best and happiest race volunteers I've ever seen! As I mentioned, I ran the 5k last year and the 10k this year. I love that there are two distances to choose from, giving more people an opportunity to participate. I have friends who aren't interested in a 10k, but they will run a 5k, so we can all run our chosen distance and then meet back up after the race. The 10k starts about 10 minutes before the 5k, allowing a little extra time for 10k runners and keeping the course a little less crowded for everyone. Every runner gets a medal once you cross the finish line (sorry, but I love some race bling!) and various post race goodies (bagels, fruit, water, Gatorade, chocolate milk, etc.). There are prizes for the top finishers for each distance, as well as a pretty sweet raffle after the race with prizes from various local business, including Universal Sole. Just be aware that you must be present to win raffle prizes, so if your bib number is called and you are not there, then a new winner is selected. So stick around for the post race entertainment!

Martin Luther King Jr Community Garden

3.0

I first stumbled upon this garden a couple years ago. Rosemoor is a neighborhood on the south side…read morebordering North Pullman, and they have created this garden along the overpass. It's an interesting and unusual one because it spans about a mile west to east, I think, and is in just this little patch of green along the side of the road. There are spots along this stretch where there are quotes or statements posted and a little more beautification besides just the grass to ornament the sign. They're currently running a brick campaign for the memorial gateway to continue improving this site.

Unitarian Church of Evanston

3.2

(6 reviews)

After reading the negative reviews on Yelp, admittedly from many years ago, I was reluctant to…read moreattend a service there. But I did go and was delighted that my experience was completely delightful! We were joyfully greeted immediately in the lobby and welcomed enthusiastically. The service was thoughtful and timely and the music was uplifting. After the service we were again engaged with welcoming kindness in chats with other members as well as with the minister and assistant minister. Ignore any negative reviews and go! You're sure to love it!

When my children were of preschool age I wanted to give them the support of a spiritual community…read more My wife and I investigated many different types of religious organizations and found the UCE had the most comprehensive program for life long education. While we initially joined for the benefit of the children, we discovered many opportunities for our personal growth. We've been members for nine years now, and it has been a life changing and life affirming experience. The community is very welcoming to all races, religions, sexual orientations and political ideologies. The Church offers opportunities to safely explore your thoughts and feelings. By providing this safe space, the impact of fear and dogma are reduced. I find that most consistent aspect of the community is that we build compassion by celebrating open discussion, deep connection, and creative empathy. In my experience there, members generally find that their spiritual beliefs align with what might be considered progressive ideology. However, we are all exploring and learning each time we meet.

El Paseo Community Garden