Check here regularly as up-to-date resources and information will be shared throughout the spring and summer.
Artist’s rendition of the completed restoration at North Pond.
Aerial View of North Pond.
The Lincoln Park Conservancy began work on the North Pond Restoration Project in April. Through December 2022, the following project components have been completed:
The last major component for the project’s first phase will be extensive planting of the Pond’s shoreline during the spring of 2023 with over 70 new trees, hundreds of native plant plugs, and thousands of additional native seeds.
Stay tuned for details on our public celebration of North Pond’s restoration on Earth Day 2023 (Saturday, April 22). At this event we will launch our ongoing community stewardship campaign and kickoff our 2023 season of our North Pond Gardeners stewardship program to help keep North Pond healthy and vibrant for years to come!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to make the project a reality!
*Dates subject to change due to weather or site conditions.
While restoration work is taking place at North Pond, there will be some short-term impacts on humans and wildlife. However, the Lincoln Park Conservancy is committed to ensuring minimal disturbance of the animal and human visitors:
Diagram of work to be completed. Click here for expanded view.
Attend or Host a Meeting
Watch a recording of the public meeting with the Conservancy on Wednesday, April 20th at 6pm.
You may also schedule a one-on-one or small group presentation with Executive Director Doug Widener.
Join North Pond Gardeners
Volunteer North Pond Gardeners meet every other Saturday during the warm weather seasons. Click here to learn more and view dates.
Speak With a Champion
Volunteer North Pond Champions are in the Park during the warm weather seasons to answer questions and share news about the North Pond project. Look for individuals wearing a green apron! Email us if you’d like to train as a Champion.
Through the generosity of our donors, we’ve reached our $7.3M project budget to restore North Pond. Still, the need for financial support remains ongoing while the Conservancy moves through this construction year, as unanticipated costs may arise. Beyond the restoration, the Conservancy is committed to establishing an endowment to maintain the gains made by the North Pond Project. We appreciate your help!
For additional videos of the North Pond Restoration and other Conservancy work, please visit us on YouTube
By Doug Widener And then there were trees! Or, more specifically, and then the trees were planted. One big thing everyone has been waiting for is more nature to return to North Pond. From the pictures we’ve posted and shared throughout the spring, it’s clear......
by Doug Widener Happy Earth Day! I know the actual Earth Day was last Saturday, but since every day is really Earth Day (and since April is Earth Month), the greeting still applies. Thank you to the over 125 hearty volunteers who braved the Chicago......
Dear Friends of North Pond. With the dawning of April, we’ve seen a significant amount of activity this week related to the completion of punch list items by our contractor, as noted in last week’s blog entry. In addition to this work, we are happy to......
Happy Spring! The temperature outside today as I write this doesn’t fully say ‘spring’ but the weather over the past few weeks and the upcoming forecast assures me/us that spring is here. With its arrival, we are excited to get back to work at North......
Join US FOR EARTH DAY 2023! The Lincoln Park Conservancy and our partners at the Chicago Park District and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum are planning a day of activities on Saturday, April 22nd to celebrate Earth Day. Activities will run throughout the day, so join......
by Doug Widener It’s gone! By it we mean the big metal box at the north end of North Pond that was installed last fall to cover mechanical equipment. After much anticipation and many requests, the box has been replaced by a more appropriate and esthetically......
by Doug Widener Happy New Year! Since there are two days left in 2023’s first month, we still have time to wish you a bright year ahead. As we ramp into to 2023, we’re excited to put the finishing touches on North Pond’s restoration later......
Dear Friends, We are so excited by the positive changes to North Pond over this past season. One big change is the dredging of the Pond to nearly 10 feet in the northern section. As a reminder, skating or walking on the ice is never......
North Pond Restoration Update – December 2023 by Doug Widener While the weather turns cold this fall and winter, the North Pond Restoration Update has moved to a monthly format. While work has definitely slowed from its pace this spring and summer, the contractors are......
