Parks with Unique Features

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Evanston is fortunate to have over 70 parks located throughout the City. The following is a list of parks that have unique features.

Farmette and Apiary at Eggleston Park

Located in Eggleston Park, the Farmette and attached Apiary provide an ideal setting for urban agriculture education.

The mission of these spaces is to demonstrate the importance and value of pollinators, native plants, and growing food. Children learn to grow food from seeds and harvest a variety of produce and the Apiary allows children to have first hand experience with bee-keeping.

Produce from the garden is used by the Garden Club, for camp activities and to feed the animals in our nature classroom.

Ladd Arboretum

Running between the North Shore Canal and McCormick Blvd., the Arboretum is located on a narrow strip of land that is home to varieties of trees, gardens, bird sanctuary, sculptures, bicycle path and to a number of animals including turtles, coyotes, deer and herons.

The arboretum's tree collection is arranged by plant family including Birch, Legume, Nut Trees, Maple, Oak and Pine. Gardens and areas include the Meadow Garden, Prairie Restoration Area, Washington Heritage Cherry Tree Walk, Independence Knoll, Rotary Club of Evanston's International Friendship Garden, Women's Terrace and Aspegren Gazebo and Meadow. The Ecology Center is located in the Ladd Arboretum.

The Arboretum contains a number of public art sculptures including the "Silver Wings'' sculpture located at the northernmost point of the Arboretum. For a complete list of sculptures in the Arboretum and the City of Evanston, visit the interactive Evanston Public Art Map.

Created through the cooperative effort of individual residents, organizations, and the City of Evanston, the Ladd Arboretum is on land leased from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation district and named for Edward R. Ladd.

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Merrick Rose Garden

Featuring hundreds of exquisite roses with over 200 varieties of tea, floribunda, rugosa and miniature roses, the Merrick Rose Garden is in bloom from May to October. The historic Fountain Square Centennial Fountain provides a tranquil focal point for the garden. Benches along the edge of the garden give visitors the opportunity to sit and take in the peaceful beauty of the park. Steps from downtown Evanston, the garden is located at the corner of Lake St. and Oak Ave.

Garden Reservations

The Garden is currently NOT available for reservations.

History of the Merrick Rose Garden

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In July 1948, the Merrick Rose Garden was dedicated in honor of Clinton Merrick, a prominent attorney and second ward alderman for 23 years.

The original rose garden was designed by Ralph Melin, the City’s landscape architect and had over 1,000 roses in 48 varieties

By 1969, the Rose Garden contained 1,200 roses and 65 varieties. Unfortunately, In 1985, an early frost killed many roses. Redevelopment began by May 1987, including a new brick outer wall with wrought iron fence and an irrigation system. Bricks were recycled from the old brick city streets. The fountain was refurbished at a cost of $30,000 (see “History of the Fountain,” below). Garden clubs and individuals donated over $8,800 for new plantings. The Merrick Rose Garden and Centennial Fountain was rededicated on July 4, 1988.

In 2003, new garden lighting and irrigation systems were installed and the retaining walls were reconstructed. In 2004 the garden contained approximately 2,000 roses and 200 varieties.

The Merrick Rose Garden is an All American Rose Selections, Inc. (AARS) display garden. The AARS is a not-for-profit consortium of growers and hybridizers. Each year the AARS selects and donates new varieties of roses for the Merrick Rose Garden to display the year before they are available in retail outlets. The new roses are identified in the garden, so you can pick your favorite to grow in your own garden next year!

History of Centennial Fountain

The Centennial Fountain is associated with a tradition of public commitment. The original Centennial Fountain was purchased by public donations in 1876 in honor of the nation’s Centennial. It was located in what became known from then on as Fountain Square (located at the intersection of Orrington and Sherman Avenues and Davis Street).

In 1912 the fountain was badly deteriorated and was replaced with a replica. The fountain was frequently threatened by modernization plans and each time concerned citizens came to its rescue. In 1946 the fountain was removed and put into storage. However, Evanstonians could not let it be forgotten.

In 1950 a successful fund drive, including a $5,000 donation from Vera Megowan, enabled the fountain to be restored. The Centennial Fountain was moved to the Merrick Rose Garden and was rededicated on July 4, 1951, which was 75 years after its dedication in Fountain Square in 1876. The original plaque as well as a new bronze plaque were installed in the garden.

In May 1987 redevelopment began at the Garden. The Fountain was suffering from decay and vandalism. The future of the cast iron fountain was slowly eroding. Therefore, a group of 15 local non-profit organizations banded together and formed the Centennial Fountain Restoration Coalition. The Coalition raised $30,000 to restore the Fountain! The Merrick Rose Garden and Centennial Fountain were rededicated on July 4, 1988.

The Fountain was renovated again in 2000. It was stripped to bare metal and received a more historically-accurate paint job. In addition, the fountain underwent a mechanical renovation.

Noah's Playground at Lawson Park

Noah's Playground for Everyone

Noah’s Playground for Everyone is located in Lawson Park, which is at Sheridan Road and Clinton Place, just north of the Grosse Point Lighthouse.
Noah’s Playground for Everyone is a fully-accessible playground.
It gives an opportunity to all children, no matter their physical circumstances, to engage with others and for families to have fun and grow together.
Most importantly, this playground allows all kids to be real kids and do what they do best—play, learn, and become the best people they can be.
Funding for this project came from private donations in memory of Noah Cutter and the City’s Capital Improvement Program.

In September 2012, Evanston’s very own Noah’s Playground for Everyone won a Reader’s Choice Award in Time Out Chicago Kids’ 2012 Hipsqueak Awards. It was chosen as the “Best Playground” in their inaugural awards contest, honoring the best in family-friendly arts, entertainment, and advocacy in the Chicago area. In July 2014, Noah's Playground for Everyone was announced as Make It Better's Best of Kids selection.

Skate Park at Twiggs