Big Marsh Park
Image credit: Google maps
Big Marsh Park is a 278-acre property on the southeast side of Chicago in the area commonly known as the Calumet Area Reserve. Once the site of a waste and slag dumping ground from surrounding industrial operations since the late 1800s, the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District teamed up in early 2000’s to restore this area to a healthy habitat and eco-recreation park.. It is part of an area commonly known as the Calumet Area Reserve. Once an active industrial property, the site was acquired by the Park District in 2011 and opened to the public in 2016. From fort-building and bug-catching, to birding and BMX bike jump lines, there is something for all ages, interests, and abilities. Roughly 45 acres are developed for eco-recreation opportunities including BMX single track courses, pump tracks, and paved bike trails. Other acreage is reserved for more passive recreation such as birding and nature observation. All acreage is being developed to protect or further enhance the overall natural habitat of the park property including sensitivity to flora, fauna, and wetlands.
Peter Krsko, Tree from within II, 2023
Wood collected on site, metal plates, screws, 30’ x 35’ x 25’
”What did the tree learn from the earth to be able to talk with the sky?” - Pablo Neruda
Photo credit: Peter Krsko
Vivian Visser, Bubbling Up, 2023
Stained cement, high-fire clay, 5' x 8' x 8'
Photo credits: Gene Skala; Vivian Visser (detail and process shots)
Matthias Neumann, Basics #30 (double-bench)
Wood (2 x 4’s), 9' x 7' x 7'
(Note: Photo taken of sculpture at different location)