News, Press Releases - Friday, October 16, 2009 17:04 - 1 Comment

Chicago Park District and Moore Landscapes Install an Artistic “Painted Forest” in Lincoln Park

The Chicago Park District and Moore Landscapes, Inc. have partnered together to install an artistic exhibit in Lincoln Park called the “Painted Forest” that will be up for the next couple of months.

Consisting of 100 defoliated trees approximately 12-15 feet in height painted with vivid orange and yellow hues, the exhibit emphasizes the elegant shape and branching structure of each tree’s canopy.

“Historically over the last 10 years, the Park District has introduced various artistic projects in the landscape and found that these artistic elements really engaged our park visitors,” said Adam Schwerner, Chicago Park District Director of Natural Resources.

“With the monochromatic winter season about to settle on the Chicago region, our intent is to provide a colorful focal point for both motorists and pedestrians to enjoy.”

Located west of Lake Shore Drive, east of the Rowing Lagoon, south of Fullerton Avenue and north of North Avenue, the trees are arranged in an organic sweep in an open grassy area between the parking area east of the Lincoln Park Zoo.

At the western most tip of the exhibit area, the “Painted Forest” surrounds a park bench that is painted orange to match the trees, which is just west of the running path.

The defoliated trees used in the exhibit are dead trees without leaves that the Park District and Moore Landscapes, Inc. decided to incorporate into an outdoor artistic display.

The trees were sourced from various nurseries in the region and installed by drilling holes into the ground and then back-filling the holes with gravel for maximum stability.

About Moore Landscapes, Inc.

Moore Landscapes, Inc. of Northbrook works to create, enhance and preserve their clients’ landscape investments by providing professional services through highly-qualified and dependable people.

Moore has been the Chicago Park District’s contractor for the Floral Design and Maintenance Contract since 2004. This contract includes more 80 gardens in parks throughout Chicago. For more information go to moorelandscapes.com.

About the Chicago Park District

For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 7,600 acres of parkland, 570 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 10 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, 10 bird and wildlife gardens, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312-742-PLAY or 312-747-2001 (TTY).

Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling 312-742-PLAY.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Pearson, 224-383-2121