Chicago’s Field Museum has revealed a planned makeover of the institution’s grass lawn along Chicago’s lakefront. Modeled on the natural prairies found throughout Illinois, the project — dubbed the Rice Native Gardens — is being made possible thanks to a gift from the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation.
According to an article by the museum’s sustainability manager Carter O’Brien appearing in the latest issue of the In the Field member’s magazine, the new landscaping goes much deeper than improved aesthetics. "The replacement of turf grass with native plants and permeable pavers will increase storm water retention and carbon absorption, reduce urban heat island effect, and improve the quality of stormwater draining into Lake Michigan by reducing fertilizer usage," explains O’Brien.While the post doesn't go deep on the topic, from the pictures it appears it will be on the north side of the building. The other thing the post doesn't do is specify how much of the lawn will be transformed to the native plants.
While the concept is cool, we hope they don't alter the three tiered expansive lawn that lead to the walking paths and the lake. That has always been one of our favorite places to hang out.
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