Where I Found Solace Among the Madness: The Garfield Park Conservatory

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

As noted in this post published on the next-to-last day of 2025, I have made the commitment to break away from the ordinary, seek out the unfamiliar, engage in something new. Or in other words, follow a different path, even if it’s a path I’ve been on before.

Okay, enough of my efforts to sort of wax poetic.

On the first day of February, after watching an enlightening CBS Sunday Morning episode and reading selected sections of the now diminished Chicago Tribune, I started my now 30-year-old Toyota Camry and drove 20 or so minutes south to a true treasure here in my home town of Chicago.

Below you will find images from my visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory, a more than century-old compound housing a dizzying and mesmerizing collection of things that grow. Strolling through the Conservatory can be equated in some respects to taking a trip around the world. In every exhibit, I found plants from every continent, well except for Antarctica. And, as an avid home gardener, I renewed my love of things that grow.

The venue was relatively crowded that Sunday, with families and couples enjoying the surroundings. Yet, I found plenty of places to stand alone, take it the beauty of the natural installations, and breathe in the warm, moist air.

What this experience also provided was temporary break from the highly troubling and disturbing things happening in my city, in my country, and in the world around me. The Garfield Park Conservatory, which I have visited in the past, is one of the aspects of Chicago that truly contributes to its position as a world-class metropolis. That day, it provided a place to rejuvenate.

Rest assured: There are many other iconic places in Chicago that are just a short ride or public transit commute away. I plan to continue my quest to shatter the mold of sameness and explore what’s out there. It’s a proven way to help cope with the growing madness these days.

The main passage connecting the different sections of the Conservatory was “enlightening” in more ways than one.

Look close: Yes, those are live fish.

A great place to sit and rest while at the Conservatory is on one of the ledge formations; but as noted, keep your feet off.

Use your imagination. Imagine you are in a rainforest or jungle. Yes, that can happen at the Conservatory.

Man, those are really, really tall cactus plants!

Not sure what kind of tree this is, but hey, it’s tall and it’s beautiful.

This man-made piece of art seems to “embrace” the natural treasures at the Conservatory.

Currently under some renovation, the Conservatory is still welcoming from the outside.

Oh Yes, Last Week I Did Celebrate

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

Celebrate what, you may ask?  Well, it was a birthday.  A major one according to the calendar.   But a birthday. 

Rather than stay around Chicago or head north to some town in Wisconsin, we decided on a different location, one that was close to Chicago and one we had not visited before. Therefore, we booked a room at a resort just outside of Starved Rock State Park, a truly wonderful place less than 100 miles away. 

While there, Susan and I hiked trails, climbed steps, took in majestic views of the Illinois River, enjoyed some good food and drink, and basically relaxed.  The park had lots of visitors during our visits, and we heard a wide range of languages spoken, testimony to the popularity of this great natural space.  And, the cost is free!

During the quiet times, I was able to contemplate about how I got this far in life and to reflect on my journey so far. Rather than get too deep, here are a few bullet points.

• All of us have a day that lasts 24 hours. Not to diminish my recent birthday, but I try to find positivity every day and offer thanks for remaining in good health.
• At this stage of my life, there are times when I’m clearly the oldest person in the room. Hey, that ain’t so bad.
• I’ve been a “senior citizen” for a few years now. So, am I on my way to becoming a “senior- senior citizen?”
• As I keep up to date on the public relations profession, I wonder how strategies and tactics will evolve due to technology, economic factors, politics and other factors. 
• Will I need to get a tattoo to remain “contemporary?”
• Given the seemingly hourly “breaking news” originating from the nation’s capital, will any specific actions by the person in charge have a major impact on me and fellow human beings during the 12 months leading to my next birthday?

Yes, that last one was serious.  So, okay, I’ll end here.  Please enjoy these images. 

Yes, that’s my “official” birthday photo taken at Starved Rock State Park.

Water, water everywhere! The Illinois River actually is quite majestic.

In Illinois, we call this a canyon. Not a “grand” canyon perhaps, but a canyon none the less.

This waterway was vital to Chicago, Illinois and the growth of the nation. I enjoyed learning more during a visit to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center.

A truly quaint small town, North Utica is the gateway to Starved Rock State Park. One evening, we dined at a restaurant on this street closed to traffic.

They call this “wildlife,” I suppose. Actually this plastic bear greets all staying at the Grand Bear Resort.

One more sweeping view of the Illinois River.