"Prairie Boat," the gathering space I designed for the Forest Preserves over a year and a half ago, has finally launched. This collaborative project used the skills of woodworker Craig Klucina of Plane-Spoken and various artists, most of whom connected to the Far South Side. In addition, I worked with several organizations besides the Forest Preserves, including Openlands and the Field Museum. My community partner was Imani Village, an organization that serves the surrounding area's health, education, and economic needs.
JOIN US FOR THE OPENING OF
"Prairie Boat"
Saturday, June 10, 2023
10 - 11am
Beaubien Woods Boat Launch
(for driving directions, enter "Beaubien Woods Boat
Launch" into Google Maps)
Ribbon cutting with the program to follow A Gathering Space at the Forest Preserves of Cook County's Beaubien Woods.
Stay for Beaubien Woods Celebration Day @ Flatfoot Lake
11am- 3pm
bikes, canoes and kayaks, archery, hikes, arts, food, and more!
Or, for a guided canoe ride on the Little Calumet River, register here https://riverpaddling.eventbrite.com/
"Prairie Boat" A Gathering Space at the Forest Preserves of Cook County's Beaubien Woods "Prairie Boat" funded by Event Partners Experience the beauty of the river and learn about The Underground Railroad, The Birth of the Environmental Justice Movement, Civil Rights, and environmental quality with Wilderness Inquiry's canoe mobile.
Guided canoe ride slots are:
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Canoe ride time options are on the registration checkout page, and ticket sales end June 9th, 2023. All are welcome; no paddling experience is required. Reserve your tickets now!
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Consider visiting Beaubien Woods Celebration on the same day starting at 11:00 am at Flatfoot Lake. Beaubien Woods Celebration activities include biking, hiking, archery, and more. You can register for Beaubien Woods Celebration here.
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Prairie Boat
You will see Prairie Boat at the Beaubien Woods boat launch. "Prairie Boat" is a gathering space newly constructed. It is a space for community gathering, programming, and connection to nature. Prairie Boat is inspired by the African American Heritage Water Trail and native prairie landscapes (a boat in the sea of the prairie). It was created by a group of artists connected with the area, and the design was chosen by a community curatorial committee convened by the Field Museum. Join us for its grand reveal!
The opening of Prairie Boat and the canoe mobile paddling is brought to you in partnership with Imani Villiage, Far South Chicago Coalition, the Field Museum, Forest Preserves of Cook County, and Openlands.
