Park Blog

Hats off to our hard-working Summer Camp Staff. Despite some hot days and occasional rainouts, these dedicated workers led youth through weeks on weather, science, fort-building, pollinators, and even their very own Olympic competitions! Staff this year were: Rose Talbert, Hannah Dooley, Nya Reynolds, Sebastian Luthy, Joe Sushinski, Elise Swanstrom, Amy Davis and Eliza Bailey. Miia Popovics is not pictured. We appreciate all you do for the Park and the next generation of Allerton lovers! … [Read more...] about Hats off to our Camp Staff!

We gathered with the Lou and Mary Henson family on Friday, July 19 to celebrate their recent donation, an endowment that will help maintain the Upper Pond Promenade near the Allerton Mansion. The ceremony was covered by the News-Gazette: “Friday’s dedication ceremony at Allerton Park was attended by dozens of family members and friends and recognized the pull that the Monticello park had on Mary and Lou, the Illini’s all-time winningest basketball coach who passed away in 2020. “‘I know … [Read more...] about COACH LOU & MARY HENSON ENDOWMENT CELEBRATED

MONTICELLO — A 2015 Urbana High School graduate who is now a photographer and visual artist in Chicago will be the next Artist-in-Residence at Allerton Park & Retreat Center. Lemareyè Jones will combine many of his current passions during a three-week stay beginning July 26 at the Monticello-area park, including the clash of technology and nature, photography, visual arts and West African culture. His plans include photographing pieces of technology in a natural setting to spur … [Read more...] about Photographer, visual artist is next Artist In-Residence

This spring, Allerton staff assisted researchers from the Ward Lab of Ornithology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in their efforts to track and study the habitat use, migration routes, and behavior of native birds. Allerton Natural Areas Managers Alex Lourash and Nate Beccue are working with Dr. Mike Ward, Mike Avara, Tara Beveroth and Lauren Brunk of the Ward Lab to locate, catch, and tag wood thrushes at Allerton Park. The tagged birds are tracked using equipment installed on … [Read more...] about Wood Thrush Research with the Ward Lab of Ornithology

Staff from LifeLinks Mental Health in Mattoon spent a 2024 spring day at Allerton, taking part in a variety of Farms workshops, including Mansion and Formal Garden tours, a "windowsill" gardening workshop, and yoga. "Our staff was overwhelmingly impressed by the workshops and all of the surroundings Allerton had to offer during our retreat. The herb gardening and yoga workshops were smashing successes. As I wander through our building, I see the succulents and herbs lovingly growing on … [Read more...] about LifeLinks Mental Health holds retreat

MONTICELLO — Adults deserve some summer fun too. That’s the idea behind Allerton Park’s Camp Lost Garden, which will provide an ‘adult summer camp’ complete with craft workshops, s’mores, relay races and more on June 27-30. “Campers can expect a variety of activities including arts and crafts, recreational activities, team building, but also plenty of time to just relax and enjoy nature,” said Jordan Zech, the park’s associate director of retreat center and programming. She added … [Read more...] about Camp Lost Garden, a summer camp for adults!

MONTICELLO — Megan Koeppel gets excited when she talks about her natural dye-making processes. The North-Carolina-based artist will investigate what Allerton Park and Retreat Center will offer to that passion when she spends three weeks at the Monticello-area park from May 20 to June 7 as its next artist-in-residence. “I’m excited to do research and discover what things around Allerton can give natural dyes,” said Koeppel, who grew up in Milwaukee. “I am from the Midwest but most of my dye … [Read more...] about Megan Koeppel, artist-in-residence

MONTICELLO — Expect bands from near and far when the Allerton Park & Retreat Center’s 2024 Concert Series presented by Cim-Tek Filtration kicks off in June. The musical menu will include talented musicians ranging from Monticello’s own Billy Galt & the Blues Deacons on July 5 to New York-based pop rock band Homeschool on June 14 and east coast Americana and electric-folk band Hudost to end this year’s series of outdoor concerts on Sept. 13. As always, variety will be a common theme, … [Read more...] about Summer Concert Series for 2024 announced