The inaugural year of 2017 was a challenge and a revelation. Our judges saw gardens that ranged from parkway pocket gardens to community gardens that covered whole city blocks. We saw children planting their first radishes and university professors experimenting with new techniques in horticulture.
Nearly 50 gardens representing 26 Chicago wards were recognized in a September award ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center, where Suzanne Malec-McKenna, former commissioner for the late, great Chicago Department of the Environment, presented the keynote address. Willene Buffett, Cook County Extension Director for the University of Illinois gave a warm welcome to the eager crowd. The awards were presented by Julie Samuels from Chicago Community Gardeners Association, Christine Nye of the Shedd Aquarium, Ron Wolford from Illinois Extension and Mike Nowak, of The Mike Nowak Show, while Peggy Malecki of Natural Awakenings Chicago magazine furiously took photos of the many participants.
And here are 2017’s winners:
Schools
Anthony’s Garden at Gale Community Academy
Cortland Preschool Maxine Koss Memorial Parkway
Loyola University Chicago: Urban Agriculture Program
UIC Nutrition Teaching Garden
Residential
Specialty
Monique Costello: Happy Eats Healthy
Mamon and Susan C. Gibson, Jr.
Candace Jordan
Breanne Heath and Dave Vondle
Ornamental
Ellen Bunch
Donna Forsberg
Maureen Geoghegan & Annice Tatken
Casey Jedrzejczak, of the Garden Guides
Debi Johnson
Vegetable
Barry Family Garden
Kathy and Eric Craig
Marlene Fisher: Greasy Gardens
Jane Friedman
Kevin Hammann and Julie Gangloff
Community Gardens
Beacon and Malden Street Triangles
Brookdale Terrace Garden
Bush Community Gardeners Organization
Chase Park Community Garden
Cornell Oasis Garden
Corner Farm Chicago
Edna White Community Garden
European American Association Tree of Life Garden
Hermitage Community Gardens
Howard Area Community Garden
Montrose Metra Community Gardens
North Park Village Garden Club
Oriole Park School Teaching Farm
Peterson Garden Project
Sembrando Bajo el Sol, supported by Enlace Chicago
Semillas de Justicia Community Garden
Trebes Park Community Garden
Other
A Just Harvest Hoop House
George Washington Carver Gardens of Trinity United Church of Christ
Global Garden Refugee Training Farm
Grant Park Farm Urban Agriculture Portager of Growing Power Chicago
Lincoln Central Association/Fire Station Park
The Physic Garden at The Pie Patch
Second Unitarian Church of Chicago
Urban Demonstration Garden: Garfield Park Conservatory
The Wheeler Mansion