Park Blog

URBANA — Taking care of immediate needs while at the same time planning for the future has been the focus at the Illinois Arboretum since it was grouped with Allerton Park and Retreat Center to form the University of Illinois’ Department of Parks & Natural Spaces (DPNS) last spring.

Thousands of invasive trees have been removed, the first phase of pond restoration has begun and a significant amount of time is being put into the Miles C. Hartley Selections Gardens to give it a “blank slate” of grass for future development.

“The idea of putting turf back in is you get it back to a blank slate, so then you can talk about hopes and dreams at that point,” said Park Supervisor Lucas Rund. “Turf will at least give us a blank canvas.”

Connecting various spaces within the 160-acre Arboretum is also underway, with the first being a concrete path that will connect the Kari Walkway to the bridge near the Japan House. A master plan approved in 2021 used informal paths created by repeated foot traffic to determine the best spots for more permanent walkways.

The process will help connect spots such as the Welcome Garden, Idea Garden, Hartley Garden, Council Ring and Kerry Walkway and other places within the Arboretum, making it a more cohesive unit.

“The idea is to connect these gardens, make them more accessible,” added Micah Putman, DPNS’ Associate Director of Park Operations.

The task will take time, according to Derek Peterson, the DPNS director. He said that, although work has begun on adding walkways, it will likely be a decade or so before most of the connections are made.

Peterson also has other dreams for the site, which is located on the southeast end of the U of I campus in Urbana, most of them tied to the idea of teaching people what an arboretum is — a “tree museum.”

With that in mind, he would eventually like to see different groves expanded to and others added, making the “tree museum” kind of like an arbor-style gallery.

“You would go through the oak gallery, then the magnolia gallery…” he said.

Other work accomplished at the Arboretum in the initial six months of operation under DPNS has included:

— continued restoration of the pond, which has included clearing away brush for better visibility and learning about the pond’s history, water levels and filling techniques;

— engaging with partners and neighbors, including the President’s House, the Idea Garden Extension staff, Illinois Prairie Hosta Society, Japan House, College of ACES, campus F&S and Grounds Services, Red Bison RSO student volunteers and the Urbana Park District; and

— work on future plans, including natural space improvements (new trails, cross country course work), public programming that will begin this fall with tree identification and yoga courses through The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, revenue creation, and accreditation for the Arboretum through ArbNet, an interactive community of arboreta.

Allerton is proud to be a member of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, a collaborative network of researchers that uses radio telemetry to track various species of birds, bats and even insects.

Allerton has three Motus towers: one in the prairie on the south side of the park, another on top of its water tower and a third near the Music Barn. Over the most recent year-long reporting period, seven northern saw-whet owls were fitted with transmitters locally and can now be tracked throughout the international system, giving researchers migratory data at their fingertips.

“Having Motus makes the Allerton natural areas more likely to attract new avian research projects. Additionally, Allerton has become part of the worldwide network of towers. Data collected by the towers at Allerton show how important our island of forested habitat is to birds that migrate through agricultural landscapes and for those that nest or overwinter here,” Allerton Natural Areas Manager Nate Beccue said.

Data helps determine avian activity, how often birds nest in the same area and how long they stay at various locations (overwintering vs. migratory stopover).

Allerton typically purchases four transmitters per year for tagged owls, but last year was given three additional ones at no cost and was able to outfit a total of seven birds.

There are currently 44 stations in the Midwest, according to the most recent Illinois Motus newsletter. Some of the most recent stations were installed in Kane County Forest Preserve’s Needham Woods, the Illinois Raptor Center in Decatur and in Buffalo, Illinois.

Worldwide there are currently 2,219 Motus stations. You can see them all on a map here.

 

Why is the system called Motus? It is not an acronym, rather it borrows the Latin word for “movement”.

Allerton Park has participated in the banding of saw whet owls since 2021. You can learn more about these fascinating creatures at the annual Owl Night on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Music Barn. Get more information and register here.

You can also learn about research at the Park here.

It’s been a unique journey for California-based artist Joha Harrison. Louisiana born and Georgia raised, he latched onto photography early and initially wanted to enter law enforcement as a crime scene photographer.

But the confinement of covid brought out an artistic nature that had been bubbling under the surface so he switched gears, starting a collage/painting combo that is his current artistic passion.

Harrison is the next Artist-in-Residence at Allerton Park and Retreat Center with a three-week visit in August which will include a public outreach event Aug. 11 — A Community Collage — that will walk participants through the creation of ‘blocks’ that will then be compiled into a large collage.

Collages not only meet Harrison’s artistic need, but appeal to him as unique abstract puzzles, but done without the box top to show you the way.

“Let’s say you have a grocery bag full of paper and all those scraps come together to complete a puzzle, then you take the puzzle apart,” said Harrison. “So, when I collage, I will take those scraps of paper and basically complete a puzzle from the pieces I have.”

The unique, tactile medium started from a waste-not, want-not attitude.

“I used what I needed in pieces but I wouldn’t throw anything away. I kept all my scraps and put them in a bag. One day I took those scraps and made a painting out of it,” he said.

Allerton Senior Program Coordinator Olivia Bunting is excited to see what comes out of A Community Collage, an open-house style event that will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11 in the Mansion Library.

“I’m excited to see what pieces he ends up creating with his collage and papermaking processes,” said Bunting. “His project sounds unique and interesting, using park and nature to create abstract pieces. I’m also looking forward to seeing how the community turns out to help create a collaborative piece of art using Joha’s unique collage techniques.”

Those wanting to take part in the workshop can register here ($5/person). Walk-ins will also be taken as space allows.

Harrison is also looking forward to his stay at Allerton, which began on Aug. 3.

“I’m kind of excited for the isolation; being away from everything to see how may brain processes it and what it creates,” he said.

Harrison’s stay is part of the In-Residence Program at Allerton, which has hosted artists, writers, naturalists and musicians since 2020.

No matter where you look at Allerton, you can see the impact of David J. Rathje, who passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, June 1 at the age of 88.

The generosity of David and his wife Debra transformed the way that visitors access the Mansion, creating a “grand entrance” and accessible drop-off with their first million-dollar donation for the David and Debra Rathje Drive in 2017.

A couple of years later, another gift from the Rathjes brought Robert Allerton’s former bedroom back to life, as they became the first donors to support our long-term vision of renovating guest rooms to be more consistent, comfortable, and historically accurate.

Their second million-dollar gift in 2021 continued to renovate the Mansion by creating an entirely new experience in the Solarium, and extended to the Fu Dog Garden, allowing us to commission new ceramic fu dogs, complete restoration work on the House of the Golden Buddhas, and endow the Garden in perpetuity.

“Dave was a kind, generous man. He was quick with a smile and would go out of his way to make sure you knew he supported you,” said Allerton Executive Director Derek Peterson. “We would often have conversations about Allerton and our vision for the future. Dave and Debbie helped form that vision.”

David Rathje made a name for himself long before becoming involved at Allerton. A professional engineer and graduate of the University of Illinois, he purchased Bodine Electric in 1965 and crafted it into one of the largest electrical contractors in the Midwest. He later founded Kelly Construction of Decatur in 1983. At one point, those two businesses employed up to 1,500 people.

The Rathjes are known for their generosity not only at Allerton, but at some 17 charitable organizations throughout the area. Their philanthropic efforts include helping fund Millikin University’s David J. & Debra Rathje Athletic Center, which should be completed later this year.

“Dave believed in creating better resources here in East Central Illinois. We would be at events together and he would talk about his pride in seeing people enjoying the Park,” added Peterson. “We are so thankful to them. Dave and Debbie’s impact at Allerton will truly be felt for generations to come.”

David attended Cerro Gordo schools, serving as President of his senior class. He is survived by his wife Debra, three children and six great-grandchildren.

 

 

MONTICELLO — From blues to alternative rock, Celtic to folk and Americana, the Allerton Park Concert Series presented by Cim-Tek Filtration will feature a wide variety of musical genres in 2025.

Beginning with LOVE FOR ALLerton on June 6, the concert series will continue with Reds, Whites & the Blues on July 11, Irish Fest Aug. 1 and conclude with Summer’s End on Sept. 5.

Local favorites such as Billy Galt & the Blues Deacons and Urbana-based Sass will take the stage, mixed with the nationally known blues group Shawn Holt & the Teardrops and Chicago-based Celtic band Character Fleadh.

And while music is the mainstay at the Friday night outdoor concerts, a festival-type atmosphere is also created with food trucks, bars and vendor fairs at the first and last concerts.

All of which gives concert organizer and Allerton Senior Program Coordinator Olivia Bunting energy on concert nights.

“My favorite part of the concerts is the atmosphere. It’s such a great time because I feel like I’m hanging out with so many cool people who love music like I do. It’s a great way to kick off a weekend, spend time with family and friends, and have a relaxing evening with good food and good music,” Bunting said.

Music kicks off at 6 p.m. on the Gatehouse Lawn of the Monticello-area park. Food trucks will be on hand and the Greenhouse Café will remain open until 7 p.m. on concert nights. Those attending can also bring their own food and drink, but no outside alcohol is permitted. An outdoor bar will also be available.

There is a fee of $5/person or $10/family per concert, payable upon arrival. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Music lovers and musicians alike are looking forward to music under the stars.

“We look forward to playing on the beautiful grounds of Allerton,” said Ethan Sellers, the bandleader of the “proudly Chicago-based” Celtic-style band Character Fleadh. “We’ve never been, so hope to pop in early to have a look around before the concert.”

Concerts for 2025 will include:

— June 6: LOVE FOR ALLerton with Sass and Kittens Incorporated.

— July 11: Reds, Whites & the Blues with Billy Galt & the Blues Deacons and Shawn Holt & the Teardrops

— August 1: Irish Fest with Skibbereen and Character Fleadh

— September 5: Summer’s End with Carrie Sue & the Wood Burners and Barko Waltz

Allerton began its concert series in 2013 and is presented by Cim-Tek Filtration with additional support from other generous sponsors: The Joe Zalabak Real Estate Team at Keller Williams, First State Bank & Trust, Kirby Medical Center, Black Prairie Ag, Herbold Family Trust, Illinois Public Media, Smile Politely and Kelly’s Accounting.

More details

LOVE FOR ALLerton (June 6) kicks off the series with a celebration of Pride Month and music from Sass, a Central Illinois singer/songwriter who combines a unique blend of rock, blues, country, soil and R&B.  Opening night will continue with the music of Kittens, Inc., which has been described as “breezy pop sounds that smell like s’mores on the beach.”

Reds, Whites & the Blues (July 11) will feature the return of Billy Galt & the Blues Deacons, a longtime blues favorites in downstate Illinois since 1990; and Shawn Holt & the Teardrops, an American blues band led by the son of Magic Slim. The band won a Blues Music Award in 2014 for its song Daddy Told Me.

Irish Fest (Aug. 1) will begin with Skibberren, a Springfield-based band formed in 2010 that specializes in Celtic music with a nod toward other popular styles. The evening will continue with Character Fleadh, which has provided Celtic music in the Chicago area since 2008. They describe their crowd-pleasing sets as “exuberant, sophisticated, and full of… character.”

Summer’s End (Sept. 5) wraps up the 2025 concert series with the folk, bluegrass and Americana sound of Carrie Sue & the Wood Burners and the classy and classic rock of Barko Waltz, who was born in Argentina, raised in Detroit and now lives in Barcelona, Spain.

 

Our annual Retreat & Review, which gives you a recap of major happenings at the Park in 2024 has been published.

Among the items in this year’s Retreat & Review:

— The opening of Wandering Woods, the first fully accessible woodland trail at Allerton
— A focus on hotel room renovations that were completed last year
— Research at Allerton, including the Northern Saw-Whet Owl
— A recap of a busy year for the In-Residence Program
— The Farms: An Allerton Folk School and a focus on fiber arts
— Gifts made to support Allerton, including one from Ann and Charlie Helm to support the Orange Trail; and Mary Henson to help maintain the Upper Pond Promenade

Find the online version of the Retreat & Review here.

For past Retreat & Reviews, click on the following links:
— 2024
— 2023
— 2021
— 2020
— 2019