Park Blog

MONTICELLO — What was once an experimental garden for Robert Allerton is now a training ground for young gardeners, as well as a pollinator-friendly area at Allerton Park. On May 4, a total of 22 students and three adults from the Monticello Middle School Garden Club spent about 1½  hours planting almost 2,000 flowers in the garden, located near the bulb and peony gardens. “It gets the kids outside, away from technology, and helps them enjoy nature,” said Monticello Middle School teacher … [Read more...] about Middle school garden club helps plant Annual Garden

Barber (#BarberPaintsPpl) is one of Allerton’s recent spring artists in residence. A native of Detroit, he is spending time at the park during a Midwest Tour, gaining inspiration to craft abstract paintings. The Midwest-based artist uses a unique method of codifying the human form into geometric shapes and lines — think stick-like figures — to help avoid stereotypical perceptions of the body, with the goal of allowing the viewer to determine the figures’ social and cultural identities for … [Read more...] about A Q&A with Barber, a spring artist-in-residence

Spring Migration Bird Hikes are scheduled for each Friday in May, starting this Friday (May 6). Hikes start at 9 a.m. in the Main Parking Lot. There is $5 charge. Hikes are free for Allerton Bird Club members. A Full Moon Hike is also planned May 16. Cost is $10, while $20 includes two beers. To register for a hike, click on the event: — Friday, May 6: Spring Migration Bird Hike — Friday, May 13: Spring Migration Bird Hike — Monday, May 16: Full Moon Hike — Friday, May 20: … [Read more...] about May bird hikes announced

Whether it’s during the morning sun or under the light of a full moon, there are outdoor yoga sessions for all at Allerton in upcoming months. Here is a list and links to upcoming sessions, provided by Yoga Off the Square May 15: 10 a.m. — Community Yoga on the Bowling Green June 4: 10 a.m. — Stretch ‘n Sip Yoga in the Meadow June 14: 8 p.m. — Full Moon Yoga in the Meadow July 13: 8:30 p.m. — Full Moon Yoga in the Meadow Aug. 11: 8 p.m. — Full Moon Yoga in the Meadow Summer … [Read more...] about Spring and summer yoga!

From Allerton Park and Retreat Center Executive Director Derek Peterson, talking about one of his main business role models: “The one and only Lou Liay,” Peterson says. “Not only is Lou an impressive Illini, he has an energy and work ethic that I tip my hat to. His past successes with the Alumni Association and his constant ability to bring people together for a greater good are truly inspiring. Lou Liay is one of a kind.” In News-Gazette Editor Jeff D’Alessio’s April 24 edition “Beyond … [Read more...] about Allerton Director featured in News-Gazette

Some Monticello High School agriculture students are using Allerton Park as a field school to supplement their classroom curriculum. Eighteen students in Elizabeth Rost’s conservation management course will visit Allerton eight to 10 times this spring, learning from Natural Areas Managers Nate Beccue and Alex Lourash. “All year we’ve been learning about topics within the field of conservation and outdoor recreation. And now, this is like our field experience. At the beginning of the year … [Read more...] about High schoolers supplement classroom work at Allerton

MONTICELLO — Starting with the installation of wood-burning boilers in 2009 and 2010, Allerton Park and Retreat Center has made a commitment to renewable energy as it makes progress toward a goal of being carbon neutral by 2035. Since that first boiler was installed 13 years ago, the park has also put in three solar arrays, which provide most of the power to five buildings in the Visitor Center Complex. The power of the sun also provides energy to utility boxes in the Meadow, meaning that … [Read more...] about Earth Day and Allerton’s efforts to be green