Park Blog

We asked our staff for book recommendations in anticipation of upcoming Silent Book Club gatherings. We will be posting them periodically to give you ideas for your next read!! ------- MICAH PUTMAN Associate Director of Park Operations It is not surprising that Allerton’s Associate Director of Park Operations Micah Putman reads his share of books on gardening and the environment. But occasionally he branches out into other genres including science fiction. Here is his review of Project … [Read more...] about Staff Book Reviews

Participants at an Altar Workshop on Aug. 7 spent time both indoors and out as Artist-in-Residence Lemareye Jones walked them through the process of setting up home altars, which can be dedicated to a variety of things. Jones said he began meditating during the covid crisis and found that a home altar kept him focused. “When you have a wedding, what do you do? You say vows. That is something you are committed to. This (creating a home altar) is something that you are committed to, whether … [Read more...] about RDC resident holds altar workshop

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!