A beautiful new Fire Station Park has taken shape on Larrabee Street just south of Armitage, and is quickly becoming Lincoln Central's newest green space gem.

This renovation would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of many neighborhood volunteers and the invaluable support of numerous community organizations and leaders. The new Fire Station Park is in bloom with beautiful flowers, vegetables and prairie plants of Illinois, and is ready for your enjoyment!

Weeds were picked and soil prepared for the city's Department of Transportation to plant more than 1,000 plants of beautiful greenery and flowers. Vegetables and herbs for new community garden plots have also been planted.

Mulch paths were created and installed in the park with the help of Green Corps and Home Depot, which also donated the materials. Thanks also goes to Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, Christy Webber Landscapers, and former Alderman Vi Daley, who was instrumental in securing funding and city support for the park renovation.

Many community volunteers have not only helped with the transformation, but are now continuing to weed, water and maintain the new plantings of which there are more than 40 varieties!

"We invite the entire Lincoln Central neighborhood to check out and enjoy the beautiful new Fire Station Park," said Rodger Owen, president of the Lincoln Central Association. "This neighborhood has numerous green spaces of varying sizes, and they provide a wonderful respite in the middle of this great city."

Volunteer Opportunities Available

If you've got a green thumb, enjoy being outdoors, or just want to support your neighborhood, there are a number of ways to get involved with the Lincoln Central park committee and to support Fire Station Park:

• Help garden and weed the park.
• Help plan a special event to unveil the park to the community in mid-September.
• Raise money to support and grow the park.
• Help plan educational opportunities and programs to be held in the park.

For more information or to volunteer at Fire Station Park, email Sally Drucker at sdsscout@gmail.com or Deb New at debinbigcity@rcn.com.

Tax deductible contributions for the maintenance and continued beautification of Fire Station Park can be made to Lincoln Central Association, P.O. Box 14306, Chicago, IL 60614-0306.