While still a beautiful destination resting peacefully in the shadow of skyscrapers, the South Pond is showing its age. It lacks self-sustaining elements such as aquatic plants. The footpath ringing its perimeter is crumbling. And opportunities for visitors to interact with the water and wildlife are limited.

These needs have prompted the creation of the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, an endeavor begun in the fall of 2004. Once completed, the Nature Boardwalk will be a thriving destination, inviting visitors of all ages to reflect upon the natural setting as they research the wildlife around them.

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PICTURE A PLACE where knee-high scientists contribute to the research. Since 2004, researchers of all ages have helped guide the more-tenured investigators, contributing data to a shared network of information that will direct rehabilitation plans.

Young students use artistic activities and hands-on experiments to explore elements of the ecosystem—birds, fish, insects, mammals and the water that connects them all. Students a few years older can learn the scientific process through real-world applications.

•A pre-kindergarten class from Willow Elementary School composed a number of songs, raps and poems about the pond, which they recited at water’s edge.

•A seventh-grade class from Louisa May Alcott School made multiple trips to the South Pond to study changes in soil pH and analyze changes in water quality throughout the year.

•Students from Perspectives Charter School learned to identify different species of avian wildlife making homes at the South Pond, noting how changes in weather affected animal behavior. In 2006, a 13 year-old Perspectives student, Kayla Fox, won the “Pens at the Pond” literary contest with a beautiful story about interconnectedness at the South Pond. Kayla’s book, "What Do You Do?" is available in the Pond Life loan kit. Click here for more information.

PICTURE A PLACE where the next generation’s scientific minds are molded in a wild, watery environment. The Nature Boardwalk project is unique in its collaborative nature—the education community that will be using the pond once it is completed is helping to shape its future.

In addition to the youngsters, other researchers contributing data to the Nature Boardwalk are testing the waters of careers in biological science. In the past year, high school students have performed advanced experiments at the pond and organized their findings online in order to share theories with peers.

•High school students from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy have studied water movement, conducted surveys on visitor usage, analyzed the silt layer at the floor of the pond and designed and constructed their own Fish Finder, a submersible tool that enables researchers to view fish under water.

• Chicagoland teachers earning graduate degrees in science and math education at the Illinois Institute of Technology have used the South Pond to create classroom curricula for elementary students. These graduate students also spend time collecting water-quality data and interpreting at the pond.

* In 2006 a program began for volunteer South Pond Naturalists. These dedicated community members receive 15 hours of training on water quality, birding, and pond ecology before they head to South Pond and inspire students and community members to care about this urban oasis.

PICTURE A PLACE that is an oasis of recreation. The Nature Boardwalk will be a venue where families glide across the water on paddleboats as waterfowl paddle alongside them. A few yards away, classes of art students will use paintbrushes to create their own interpretations of Mother Nature’s mastery, while couples cuddle on park benches and joggers speed past. Like the birds that hover overhead and splash across the water, humans will flock to the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo.

PICTURE A PLACE that fits into its surroundings while playing a crucial role in a number of conservation initiatives. The Nature Boardwalk will welcome wildlife with wetlands providing shelter for tiny critters, clean water for a variety of fish and open skies and wooded islands for birds to build permanent homes or temporary resting spots on their migratory paths.

This region is home to myriad creatures—insects and small mammals make their homes in and around the water. A hundred species of birds use the pond to breed, feed or bathe.

Yet many of these species are non-native. The rehabilitation will introduce native animals, including amphibians and invertebrates, which will highlight the conservation theme of the Nature Boardwalk project —offering visitors, particularly students, a unique opportunity to learn about science and environmental stewardship.

The South Pond’s rich history will serve as a starting point for its thrilling future as an interactive new component of the Lincoln Park Zoo experience. Once it’s completed we will no longer have to PICTURE A PLACE—we can visit.

Lincoln Park Zoo is grateful to Peoples Gas for its generous support of education programming at the Nature Boardwalk. The zoo also thanks the following for their additional support: McCormick Tribune Foundation, CNA, Bank of America Foundation, Segal Family Foundation, Brinson Foundation, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, BP, Johnson Controls Foundation, HSBC-North America, Mr. Robert Rodgers and Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund.