[BCNnet] volunteers needed for Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

[Terry Schilling]

Hi BCNnet:

I'm posting this request for monitors for the Park District from Mary van
Haaften. If you can help by spending time in a beautiful place (birding and
watching what's going on), please contact the district directly (see below).

Thanks!

Terry Schilling
Chicago
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The Chicago Park District (CPD) and Friends of Lincoln Park (FLP) are
looking for volunteers to help monitor activities at the Alfred Caldwell
Lily Pool.  
Location:
The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool is located south of Fullerton Avenue, directly
north of the Lincoln Park Zoo. There is a north entrance on Fullerton Avenue
and a handicapped accessible entrance on the east side off the Cannon Drive
parking lot.
Why does the Lily Pool need monitors?
The CPD and FLP have recently spent $2.4 million on the restoration of the
lily pool.  Years of trampling, neglect and abuse severely degraded the site
and its historic features until it no longer resembled its former character.
Restoration of the site has included restored historic features such as the
pavilion, waterfalls, and stone work including a council ring; new
accessible pathways; and ecological restoration of the landscape.  Because
this site is sensitive and gets a high amount of use, visitor hours will be
limited (see below).  Monitoring is desired during these hours to preserve
this historic landscape and keep it beautiful.
Volunteer schedule:
The tentative visiting hours for the lily pool are:
Monday through Friday from 7:30AM to 3:00PM and Saturday and Sunday from
10:00AM to 3:00PM.  Both gates will be locked except at these times.  Many
of these hours are currently covered by Chicago Park District summer interns
or Lincoln Park Zoo security staff on weekends (thanks to FLP); however,
many hours remain unfilled by staff, security, or volunteers.
 
Volunteers can help out with the following weekday shifts:
May 19 - June 10, Mon-Fri, 7:30am - 3pm
June 10 - Aug 13, Mon, 7:30am - 9am and 12:00pm - 3pm
Jun 10 - Aug 13, Tues-Fri, 7:30am - 11:30am
Aug 13 - Nov. 30, Mon-Fri, 7:30am - 3pm
It is preferred that volunteers sign-up for a  weekly time slot.  Whether
you choose to sign up for one hour or more, your time will be valuable and
greatly appreciated.
Please call Arlene Sison to schedule a time.  She can be reached at (312)
742-5362 or (312) 735-9188.
Volunteer opportunities:
The primary and immediate need for volunteers is to monitor the site and
report unauthorized activities; however, a volunteer program is being
developed for implementation in 2003 that will include: docent materials and
training; stewardship activities such as removal of invasive species,
planting and seeding; and monitoring of vegetation, insect, and bird
species.
Responsibilities of volunteer monitors:
Volunteer site monitors should keep an eye out for graffiti, unauthorized
use of the waterfall, trampling of newly installed landscaping, etc. As
volunteers become more familiar with the history of the Alfred Caldwell Lily
Pool, they can become docents and provide interpretive tours. Volunteer Site
Monitors will be issued a volunteer badge to be worn while at the Lily Pool
Volunteers should report unlawful behavior or emergencies to Lt. Ed Griffin
, Chicago Park District Lakefront Security by calling 312-742-5383.  A phone
is available next door at the Lincoln Park Conservatory.  All other issues
related to the Lily Pool should be reported to Natural Areas Manager Mary
Van Haaften at (312) 742-5362.
This would be a great opportunity to enjoy some quiet hours birding or
reading that book that you've been wanting to get to while at the same time
filling a civic need.  
Parking can be arranged in the Lincoln Park Conservatory parking lot as
needed (Mary is checking on this).
Please call Arlene Sison or Mary Van Haaften at (312) 742-5362 with any
questions. Thank you for your consideration!
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Originally built in 1889 for raising tropical water lilies, the Lily Pool
was redesigned in the prairie style during the 1930's by Alfred Caldwell.
The landscape design of the Caldwell Lily Pool is a tribute to the natural
ecology of the Midwest. It was originally designed to mimic a river formed
by a melting glacier's flow of water cutting through limestone. The
stonework and paths have a natural look that conveys the interpretation that
melted glacial water flows are cutting through moraines, creating dramatic
limestone bluffs. A waterfall near the north end of the lily pool represents
the source of this glacial river.
In 2000, the Chicago Park District partnered with Friends of Lincoln Park to
begin rehabilitation of this historic landscape, which has been transformed
from a dark, overgrown, eroding, and neglected area, into a botanically
diverse, thriving, sanctuary for people and wildlife. Landscape
rehabilitation efforts included the replacement of non-native, invasive
trees and shrubs with bird-friendly native plants including the planting of
thousands of native prairie and woodland wildflowers. In addition to
landscape improvements, the project also includes: the addition of
accessible ramps and pathways: rehabilitation of Fullerton entrance gate,
pavilion, and council ring; sediment dredging from the pool; and extensive
rehabilitation of stone pathways, stonewalls, and the stone waterfall. The
one and a half acre pool now sits in the sunlight and supports water lilies
and other aquatic plants. 
Stone paths are reminiscent of a hike through the woods. Visitors will feel
like they are hiking through a woodland with a sunny understory, where
native plants such as oak, hackberry, hawthorn, and serviceberry thrive.
With these new improvements, the Lily Pool landscape is again becoming a
haven for wildlife, providing food, water, and shelter for many species of
birds, dragonflies, butterflies, frogs, and turtles. The lily pool is
especially popular with many Chicago birders because it provides ideal
viewing opportunities from path areas above the pool. Construction was
completed in fall 2001, and the Alfred Caldwell lily pool is reopening to
the public on May 18, 2002. 



Mary Van Haaften
Natural Areas Manager
Chicago Park District
541 N. Fairbanks Court
Chicago, IL  60611
(312) 742-5362