Can you picture a park that was practically made from scratch? Gillson Park is a prime example. It sits right on the shores of Lake Michigan, in Wilmette, Illinois. Its beauty is impressive, especially when you consider its humble origins.
Many years ago, the North Shore Channel was built to improve water quality in the Chicago River. This project filled in a large section of the lakefront, making it possible for the creation of Gillson Park. But that land, created by the construction of the channel, was mostly solid blue clay!
To transform the clay into usable land, the Park District had to work hard. They used horses to pull grading equipment, even employing plank floats and block and tackle to rescue teams who got stuck in the clay sinkholes!
The Park District faced challenges, but they never gave up. They planted cow peas and even mullets to create some rich humus matter that could sustain trees. Imagine, trying to plant trees on solid clay!
That dedication made Gillson Park what it is today. It’s a beautiful 60-acre lakefront park, with a beach, dune, parkland, and native plantings. So, next time you walk through Gillson Park, take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication that went into transforming a pile of blue clay into a sanctuary for the community.