On my way back home after a run on Lakeshore, I noticed a few tents going up, trucks, and a stage being set-up at a nearby park. So I decided to be the tourist/inquisitive person that I am and ask someone – who looked friendly – what was going on?
I found out that the Chicago Park District was setting up for a community tree planting day called “Roots and Routes to Grow.”
This seemed like a great way to settle in to my new home and hopefully meet a few new people as well. So I decided to skip any late-night Friday outings to prepare for a date with nature the following morning.
Not only did I meet a few of my Hyde Park neighbors, but I – someone who will shut down everything if I spot a spider on the wall, floor, anywhere – threw on a pair of rusty gym shoes, sweat pants and a t-shirt, put on the provided work gloves, picked up the gardening tools at my assigned work area; and planted over 25 trees off of Lakeshore drive.
Read more about this event here.
Also featured in the Chicago Tribune.