North Lawndale residents will soon see the iconic pergola at the historic Sears Sunken Garden restored to its former glory. Crews began installing the new concrete columns on Thursday, marking a key milestone in the first phase of a multi‑year, $5 million overhaul.
Community heritage and support
“The pergola is probably the most iconic feature of the garden,” said Caroline O’Boyle, associate vice president of the Trust for Public Land, which is partnering with Friends of the Sears Sunken Garden to lead the effort. “People in this community have come here for generations to have their family celebrations and photos taken, so people in this community really hold it dear.”
Opened in 1907 by Sears, Roebuck and Co. as a leisure space for its employees, the garden quickly became known as “Lover’s Lane,” a favorite backdrop for wedding photos and neighborhood gatherings. After Sears moved downtown in the 1970s, the garden fell into disrepair.
Local leaders and volunteers drive the project
Alderman Monique Scott (24th Ward), who grew up near the garden, recalled childhood visits with her grandmother. “This was like a dream come true. As a child, this was where you would go to see beauty, to see flowers,” she said, remembering the lilies and tulips that once filled the beds.
The restoration effort began with community planning in 2021, when the GROWSS Committee—a neighborhood group focused on urban agriculture and beautification—identified the garden as a priority in its 2018 Quality of Life Plan. In 2023, residents started planting new plots, laying the groundwork for a broader revitalization.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 details
Phase 1, now nearing completion, involved removing the deteriorated pergola and installing the new concrete columns between two existing pavilions, which will also be renovated. The pergola is slated to be finished by early December.
Phase 2 will add storm‑water runoff storage, an irrigation system, new seating, improved accessibility, and upgraded lighting. The Trust for Public Land estimates this phase will take about 18 months.
Design and funding
The full redesign includes garden spaces created by world‑renowned designers Piet Oudolf—known for Chicago’s Lurie Garden—and Roy Diblik. The pergola renovation alone costs $1.1 million. Funding comes from a $1 million donation from the Driehaus Foundation, which also contributed an additional $473,000 specifically for the pergola work. Additional fundraising continues to support Phase 2, and Alderman Scott is exploring the use of tax increment financing to further fund the project.
Community members who wish to contribute can visit the Sears Sunken Garden website for donation information.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
