Welcome to the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance's (GPCA) New Communities Program website. Although the Conservatory has a storied history of providing artistic displays and designs that awe visitors, our commitment goes beyond the botanical campus. The GPCA has a twofold mission of encouraging the community to explore the fundamental connection between plants and ourselves, and developing innovative, issue-driven programs that directly engage Garfield Park residents.
Today our audiences include not just visitors to our greenhouses, but also local homeowners, students and businesses. The educational programs and interactive settings located within the Conservatory are coordinated by the 'Programs and Interpretation' staff with the New Communities Program (NCP) staff being responsible for the community council programming. Together, we form a unique tandem that proudly and creatively enhances the environmental, social and economic vitality of Chicago’s West Side.
Find hours and information for the Garfield Park Conservatory.
July 18, 2011
New Communities Program—Susana Vazquez takes the reins at LISC Chicago.
Mike Tomas, September 1, 2011
Housing, Garfield Park Retail and Real Estate Initiative—Diane Williams, CEO of East Garfield Park's Safer Foundation, was awarded a Champion of Change recipient for the organization's innovative and proven programs supporting formerly incarcerated… Continue
September 1, 2011
Green Teens—Rishona Taylor, New Communities Program, works with area teens to complete new mural at Van Buren and California.
Ash-har Quraishi, WTTW/ Chicago Tonight, August 17, 2011
Housing—Over the past year and a half, Melvin Bailey, head of the Community Male Empowerment Project, has been working as a developer under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a federal program to rehab… Continue
Home—Although the Conservatory has a storied history of providing artistic displays and exhibits that awe visitors, our commitment goes beyond the botanical campus. The GPCA has a twofold mission of… Continue
Mike Tomas, March 29, 2011
Housing—Local residents take a stand to oust troubled liquor store.
Malik Elliott, March 8, 2011
New Communities Program—When the GPCA’s “Retail and Urban Design Plan” was published in 2007, Madison and Kedzie was identified as a prime intersection for new commercial development. Little did the… Continue
Bill Healy, March 7, 2011
Housing—Developer Melvin Bailey is putting local people to work, renovating foreclosed East Garfield Park homes through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
Bill Healy, February 17, 2011
Housing—The transformation of empty, foreclosed East Garfield Park houses into affordable, for-sale homes is the latest positive trend in the West Side neighborhood.
August 6, 2010
New Communities Program—New mural showcases community businesses and residents.
GPCA New Communities Program: Who we are
Although the Conservatory has a storied history of providing artistic displays and designs that awe visitors, our commitment goes beyond the botanical campus. Find out who we are