Summer in the Park
Gardens, Fountains and Walking Paths
A Guided Tour of the Nichols Park, Chicago Park District
1355 East 53rd Street
Friday, July 8
Guided Tour: 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Interacting with nature in the gardens on a summer morning
will impact your spirit and nurture your body and mind.
Located at 1355 East 53rd Street in the Hyde Park community, Nichols Park totals 11.48 acres and features the Field House - a gymnasium and a multi-purpose room. Green features of the park include a community flower garden, community vegetable gardens, and Wildflower Meadow. Outside, the park offers two playgrounds, a baseball diamond, walking path, and a sandbox. In 1963, the Chicago Park District acquired the land in the then deteriorating Hyde Park neighborhood from the city's Department of Urban Renewal. The park honors artist and urban planner John Fountain Nichols (1912-1980), a life-long resident of Hyde Park.
What to Expect
Join with us on an early summer morning guided tour of the gardens, especially the Rose Gardens, the trees, bushes, fountains and walkways; taking note of the numerous artworks, monuments and sculptures.
Following the guided tour, we will gather to enjoy lunch at the Small Cheval (1307 East 53rd Street) adjunct to Nichols Park at the northwest corner. Of course, in anticipation of its opening in Hyde Park (otherwise another location will be determined). Order your own lunch from the Daily Menu (on-your-own tab, pay with cash or credit card).
Tour Guide
George Rumsey, our own Hyde Parker is a friend of the Nichols Park will lead our guide tour. George is known to us as computer resource consultant, gardener and community activist.
How to Join
Registration is Required. There is no charge for this guided tour. Space is limited. Registration closes on Thursday, July 7th at 12:00 p.m. Cancel your registration by Thursday, July 7th at 4:00 p.m. Face Masks Optional. CHPV COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Record on file. Must be able to walk on the grounds of Nichols Park.
Getting There
Transportation on your own. Nichols Park is accessible by CTA bus’s, walking and street parking (fees may apply) on East 53rd and 55th Streets. To CHPV Events: Associate and Full CHPV members may request transportation via email at servicerequest@chpv.org or calling 773-363-1919. Requests must be submitted by Tuesday, June 6th at 4:00 p.m. If available.
For more information: email info@chpv.org or call 773-363-1919.
Where to Meet-up
Begin gathering on Friday, July 8th at 9:30 a.m. at the Bird's of Peace* sculpture located on the South 55th Street entrance to the park.
*Cosmo Campoli (1923–1997), a sculptor who lived in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, created Birds of Peace—also called Guarding the Nest or The Egg. This five-foot tall abstract bronze artwork emulates a bird with an egg for its body, a beak-like form at its mid-section, and two eggs at its feet.
- Wear comfortable summer clothes
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Bring an umbrella in case of rain and /or to shield the sun or a Sun Hat
- Wear sunglasses
- Lather up with sunscreen lotion/spray (50+ SPF)
- A bottle filled with ice water
All are Welcome! Invite a Friend!
Our Tour Guide is volunteering his time and talents with CHPV. We will comp his lunch and participants will be able to make cash contributions during lunch as we pass the hat and then gift the contributions to our tour guide.