Pilcher Park, Joliet

One of the more complete descriptions of Pilcher Park in Joliet that I've found after a few minutes' search is on Waymarking.com, a site obsessed with topographical minutiae, and thus after my own heart. It says: "PILCHER PARK ARBORETUM, US 30, from Maple to Gauger Road, was presented to the people of Joliet by Robert Pilcher in 1922 with the stipulation that it should remain in its natural state. About 75 species of trees, including nine kinds of oak, are native, as well as many shrubs, bushes, and almost innumerable wild flowers.

"A collection of imports started by John Higgenbotham, the original owner, includes southern magnolia, sweet gum, cypress, tulip-tree, white fringe, pecan, black birch, and hickories and black cherry trees. Plans for development envisage introduction of trees from all over the world. A five-acre picnic camp, across Hickory Creek, is connected with the main part by a footbridge. One-way motor lanes are supplemented by five miles of narrow footpaths and several miles of bridle paths."

We drove some of those one-way motor ways last Saturday, and saw the footbridge, though "picnic camp" isn't the way I'd describe it. Across the bridge was a run-down looking picnic shelter. Near that site also stands a statue of Robert Pilcher, a remarkably traditional standing bronze, arms by his side, on top of a plinth describing the good deeds of the man. I didn't get a picture, but naturally Google Images has one (scroll down about half way; and there are other pictures of the park in early spring).

Elsewhere in the park are the aforementioned and -pictured nature center and the totem pole. Walking paths led away from the nature center, and we did a little wandering. The oaks mentioned by Waymaking were especially evident, since it was hard to take a step without stepping on an acorn of one kind or another. The whole place was an extravagant August green.

Hard to believe that in three months there will be browns and grays and bare branches. The Temperate Zone is an exacting taskmaster.

The curiously named Bird Haven Greenhouse & Conservatory is also part of the park. Not the largest conservatory I've seen, but well worth a walkthrough. This is the exterior, with lush flower beds on either side of the adjacent sidewalk.

Not visible, but just beyond the trellis on the left, was a gazebo surrounded by folding chairs. We figured someone was going to have a wedding there, which was confirmed when a couple of bridesmaids showed up just as we were leaving.

Inside, the conservatory had the usual rooms devoted to different plant climates: tropical, arid, temperate. Plus an assortment of small memorials. This one caught my eye: a memorial cactus for one David Hritz. We should all be so lucky to be remembered in this way.