F.H. Paschen Completes $9.2M Renovation of Garfield Park Conservatory Children’s Garden

F.H. Paschen Completes $9.2M Renovation of Garfield Park Conservatory Children’s Garden

CHICAGO — F.H. Paschen, in partnership with the Chicago Park District and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, has completed renovations to the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden at the historic Garfield Park Conservatory.

Project officials celebrated the reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local families and community members. The conservatory, one of the nation’s largest greenhouse conservatories, unveiled a redesigned 6,000-square-foot interactive children’s space that blends education, nature and recreation.

The newly renovated exhibit replaces a 20-year-old children’s garden with updated play and learning features designed to encourage exploration and hands-on interaction. New attractions include a nature art gallery, toddler play area, a 30-foot net climber, slides and several other interactive installations.

The reopening also highlighted the participation of Paschen Engineering Scholars from George Westinghouse College Prep, who previously toured the jobsite as part of the contractor’s engineering immersion program.

Project Adds Interactive and Accessible Features

The two-year, $9.2 million renovation began in December 2023 and transformed the conservatory’s southwest atrium into a tropical-themed educational and recreational environment.

Designed by Hitchcock Design Group with civil engineering support from RTM Engineering Consultants and structural engineering by Rubinos & Mesia Engineers Inc., the project also incorporated specialized play equipment from Luckey Climbers.

Among the project’s centerpiece additions is a custom-designed 20-foot net climber and a wheelchair-accessible spiral ramp that leads visitors toward the conservatory’s historic glass roof structure.

“Building within such a meaningful Chicago landmark like the Garfield Park Conservatory building brought a unique set of challenges for our team,” said Joseph Szymanski, project manager for F.H. Paschen. “We had to be incredibly precise when installing the larger elements to ensure we respected the existing glass structure while meeting modern safety standards.”

Funding for the project came from a combination of private donations, tax-increment financing funds from the city of Chicago, a grant from the state of Illinois and direct funding from the Chicago Park District.

Community and Historic Preservation Prioritized

F.H. Paschen officials said preserving the conservatory’s historic character while modernizing the space for future generations remained a central focus throughout construction.

“We’re based here in Chicago, so we have a deep connection to this city and its neighborhoods,” said Anthony Beckham, vice president of community engagement and outreach at F.H. Paschen. “Our team focused on delivering a unique and lasting playspace that respects the history of the incredible Garfield Park Conservatory while also creating something new for Chicago families.”

The renovated garden is expected to serve as both an educational destination and recreational resource for families visiting the conservatory.

The project adds to several recent community-focused renovation efforts completed by F.H. Paschen, including upgrades to the Riis Park Fieldhouse and improvements at the McLean Community Center in Virginia.

Originally reported by F.H. Paschen.