CHICAGO, IL – National infrastructure builder F.H. Paschen along with The Chicago Park District (CPD) and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance (GPCA) marked the re-opening of the Elizabeth Morse Genius (EMG) Children’s Garden at the Garfield Park Conservatory & Gardens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local families today.
Located at 300 N. Central Park Avenue in Chicago, the Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest greenhouse conservatories in the United States Blending nature, science, play and imagination, the newly renovated EMG Children’s Garden replaces a 20-year-old exhibit with a brand-new 6,000-square-foot interactive area that includes a nature art gallery, a toddler area, a 30-foot net climber, a slide and other play features.
The ribbon-cutting was special for the community, but also because the most recent classes of Paschen Engineering Scholars from Westinghouse College Prep were in attendance. Previously, the Paschen Scholars had visited the jobsite as part of their engineering immersion program.
The $9.2M, two-year project began in December 2023 and was funded by a combination of private donations, tax-increment financing funds from the city, a grant from the State of Illinois and direct funding from the Chicago Park District.
Designed by architect Hitchcock Design Group with Civil Engineer RTM Associates, Structural Engineer Rubinos & Mesia Engineers Inc along with equipment from Luckey Climber, the project focused on converting the Garfield Park Conservatory’s southwest atrium into a dense tropical space. New features include a custom-designed, 20-foot net climber and a wheelchair-accessible spiral ramp that leads visitors toward the top of the conservatory’s historic glass roof.
“Building within such a meaningful Chicago landmark like the Garfield Park Conservatory building brought a unique set of challenges for our team,” said Joseph Szymanski, Project Manager for F.H. Paschen. “We had to be incredibly precise when installing the larger elements to ensure we respected the existing glass structure while meeting modern safety standards.”
“We’re based here in Chicago, so we have a deep connection to this city and its neighborhoods,” said Anthony Beckham, Vice President of Community Engagement and Outreach at F.H. Paschen. “Our team focused on delivering a unique and lasting playspace that respects the history of the incredible Garfield Park Conservatory while also creating something new for Chicago families.”
Other similar projects completed by F.H. Paschen recently include upgrades to Chicago Park District’s Riis Park Fieldhouse and upgrades for the McLean Community Center (MCC) in McLean, Virginia.
