Lily Pool Project - the Plan

THE PLAN'S KEY ELEMENTS

Flowering and fruiting trees, shrubs, and native grasses and flowers will be replanted throughout the site. Staghom sumac, nannyberry, and other native plants will be replanted at the site. Where possible, plant material will be faithful to Caldwell's original design, in other cases, substitutions will occur. Plants selected will be in keeping with Alfred Caldwell's intent to produce a midwestern wooded glade, and will also increase food plants for birds. Some trees and weedy vegetation will be removed to return the Lily Pool to a closer approximation of Caldwell's vision and to provide sunlight for understory plantings.

Large amounts of stone and concrete will be removed. Some of the rock added over the years will be taken out. The erosion problem, which the stone was meant to address, will be checked by plantings.

The pond will be dredged, and its water plants will be replanted. Currently choked by silt, the pool will be dug out and the edges replanted to decrease the amount of dirt eroding into it. A system for aeration will also be put in place.

The historic structures will be repaired and restored. The pavilion, the council ring, the waterfall, and the Fullerton entry gate will all be repaired.

A path around the entire pond will be restored. As it is now, only two thirds of the pond edge has a trail open to walkers and less than a tenth of the circumference is accessible to wheelchair users. A new limestone path will be laid, providing complete access to the pond's perimeter for people on foot and gready improved access for people in wheelchairs. People in wheelchairs will be able to reach each of the Lily Pool's star attractions: the pavilion, the waterfall, and the council ring which will have a ramp as well as stairs. The only section someone in a wheelchair would not be able to traverse will be the area between the waterfall and the pavilion, and the stairs to the council ring. These are historically important features intended to provide a sense that the visitor is taking a hike in natural woods, and it's important they be retained.

The Lily Pool landscape will be expanded to the East and West. Increasing the amount of land that is landscaped as bird-friendly habitat lessens the potential disturbance to birds caused by increased public access.

Caldwell's original entrance on the east border will be reopened. This entrance will be made accessible for people in wheelchairs. Disabled parking will also be placed close by.

Programs for visitor management and education will be put in place. A docent program where volunteers explain the historic and ecological significance of the site to visitors will be an important component of the Lily Pool's new life. Brochures for self-guided tours will be provided, and schools will be offered the opportunity to bring art, ecology, or history classes through for tours.

Hours when the site is open will be posted, consistent, and clear.

A plan and budget to maintain the site will be put in place.
The Lily Pool's best chance for excellent maintenance is to have one person in charge who understands the plan and can implement it on a daily basis. A critical component of the budget is to raise money for a Stewardship Fund for education and volunteer docent programs at the Lily Pool and similar landscapes within Lincoln Park.