Lurie Garden Partners with MELA for first-ever Maintenance Yard Party

MELA members and guests ignored the 100 degree heat index of July 15th to gather at The Lurie Garden for Summer Fiesta 2010. It was the Garden’s first-ever event in their maintenance yard, but it seemed like home to MELA members, all of whom are familiar with such surroundings.

Over 60 people toured the award-winning Lurie Garden with Lurie Garden Director Jennifer Davit, staff member Sylvia Schmeichel, and plantsman Roy Diblik, whose perennial farm (Northwind) grew the plants for the garden. For many it was their first official tour of this unique garden.

The 5-acre garden is built on top of the Lakefront Millennium Parking Garage and is one of the world’s largest green roofs. It includes over 240 varieties of perennials and 14 varieties of woody pants, 65% of which are native to North America. Its unique design clusters plants to create a prairie theme. After six years it looks like a mature garden with waves of color that vary depending on the season and what’ in bloom. The garden is entirely pesticide free.

Networking, also a highlight of every MELA event, was accomplished comfortably in spite of the extreme heat and humidity of the evening thanks to tents provided by Lurvey Landscape Supply.

Adult beverages were provided by Goose Island Brewery and Bartlett Tree Experts. A number of other MELA members sponsored the event as well.

One MELA member with more than 30 years in business was overheard to comment: “I always learn something now at MELA events and I never fail to come away inspired.”

See more photos here!

MELA to Collaborate with O’Keeffe School

MELA is pleased to announce a collaboration with O’Keeffe School, to create a sustainable garden at 7000 S. Merrill. The project will offer MELA members an opportunity to learn by observing and participating in a project that is specifically designed to be sustainable.
The city lot, owned by Neighbor Space, has been the Victory Garden for eighth grade students at the school for several years. The students maintain it year round under the guidance of science teacher Emily Kenny.

In recent years, the garden has become overrun with weeds in spite of the students' effort to keep it maintained. Knowing of MELA's interest in creating a sustainable site, Neighbor Space Executive Director Ben Helphand suggested the collaboration with O’Keeffe.

The project will also benefit the O’Keeffe students and community. The site includes raised vegetable beds as well as flower beds. It is surrounded by murals painted by previous students. On July 18, 2010, at 10 a.m., the garden will also become the location of a memorial to Troy Law, an O’Keeffe student who was murdered.

“I have labored with the O’Keeffe students and community for five years trying to get resources and help with the garden,” Ms. Kenney said. In commenting about the collaboration with MELA and its members, she added, “We are so compatible and excited about working together.”
MELA will assist with restoration, and, in the process will create a sustainable site. O'Keeffe students and MELA members will have several opportunities to learn about sustainable practices throughout the project timeframe.

Project leaders Grace Koehler and Kyle Banas from Pizzo & Associates, along with MELA Executive Director Carol Becker, visited the site and met the students and Ms. Kenny on May 7th. Soon thereafter, garden mix was donated by Mike Curry and his team at Midwest Trading Horticultural Supplies so that students could get the raised vegetable beds planted before school recessed for summer.

Koehler returned for a second site visit June 25 with Lynn Bement, owner of The Organic Garden Coach. Bement instructed the students on methods to restore the soil and mulch the garden areas now covered with weeds. Garlic mustard has been a particular challenge for the students as they do initial clean-up of the lot.

The next step is a design for the site. This will be provided by Grace Landscaping, a MELA member company in Island Lake, Illinois.

The project will continue throughout the summer and for several seasons before the entire site is restored. No overall timeline has yet been set.

The project is funded in part by a grant from The City of Chicago Department of the Environment. MELA is also seeking private foundation support for the project as well as donations of goods and services from members and friends. Members wishing to become involved may contact MELA Executive Director Carol Becker at director@melaweb.org.

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