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Image a lily pond designed by Alfred Caldwell and influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, Jens Jensen and Marlin Perkins. Then visit Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool in Chicago. Located at 125 West Fullerton Parkway, between North Cannon Drive and North Stockton Drive, in Lincoln Park, next to the Lincoln Park Conservatory, north of Lincoln Park Zoo, the three-acre plot with lily pond and gardens is a picturesque oasis and an important example of Prairie School landscape architecture. Originally built in 1889, the hour-glass shaped pond had fallen into ruin by the 1930s and landscape architect Alfred Caldwell was hired to completely redesign this area of Lincoln Park in 1936-1938. He began by planting thousands of plants transported from Sauk County, Wisconsin. From 1926 to 1931, Caldwell worked for landscape artist Jens Jensen, whose influence is evident in the Sun Opening, the curving walkways, the meandering, stepping-stone limestone paths and circular benches. Frank Lloyd Wright's influence is seen in the Fullerton Parkway Gate. In the early 1950s, Lincoln Park Zoo director Marlin Perkins transformed the Lily Pool into a water exhibit featuring exotic birds and water fowl. The Lily Pool was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2002 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark in 2006. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from mid-April to mid-November with free docent tours available to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.…
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Date of experience: September 2020
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We were here on a dreary day for a small wedding gathering. The staff was very helpful and the rain stopped in time for the set-up and ceremony. Clean and well-maintained. Will be back on a sunny day to just hang out a bit.
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Date of experience: September 2020
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We often visit the gardenand pool to just have a time to walk slowly and take in the beauty. It is a great place to visit when you want to slow down and reflect. Also a wonderful location for beautiful pictures.
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Date of experience: June 2019
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Just a short walk from Lincoln Park Zoo and its parking lots, this is a lovely little oasis of calm, centred around an attractive ornamental lily pond. It's a very picturesque spot with plenty of greenery and a smattering of wildlife, including two black crowned night herons, which we saw poised on the edge of the pond, trying to catch fish. We were greeted by a very friendly lady who explained a bit about the pool and Alfred Caldwell and seemed genuinely interested as to why we'd decided to visit and what else we had planned on our tour of the States. Unfortunately, she neglected to tell us that the pool was closing imminently due to a private function, so we only ended up with a brief visit here, although this was enough to enjoy the serenity and peace from the busy city.…
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Date of experience: August 2019
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This is a nice quiet place in Lincoln Park. Right next to the zoo. When we were there we had the place to ourselves which was great. Free to get in.
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Date of experience: October 2019
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