Milkweed Gardens Inc. is the nonprofit arm of Herstoric Development, focused on creating and caring for green spaces within our block development work. Today, we're excited to spotlight one of our favorite features: the community Pocket Park.

Milkweed Gardens’ work is about transformation: restoring what has been overlooked, nurturing what is emerging, and creating spaces where life and community can flourish. The Pocket Park will transform the vacant lot at 520 S. Michigan into a vibrant green commons designed with and for the neighborhood.

This will be one of the first physical spaces built out on our corner of the block, setting the tone for what else can be possible. The park will include seating, a fire pit, and an outdoor live music area. We will incorporate native landscaping, pollinator gardens, and permeable walkways. In future phases, we will add shade structures and a public restroom. Each feature is chosen to foster gathering, connection, and beauty.

We see beautiful things in Monroe Park’s future and, based on real conversations and real experiences with real residents of the place, we feel confident that the impact of this Pocket Park would be (at least) threefold:

1) Create a thriving and welcoming downtown greenspace with welcoming public amenities that enhance the neighborhood for residents and visitors

2) Offer a community-focused gathering place where neighbors can be, share, and celebrate together

3) Support the local ecosystem through pollinator plantings, stormwater-managing rain gardens and permeable paths, and educational installations highlighting sustainable features.

What is now an empty lot will soon be a place of rest, connection, and joy. What’s more, it will be proof that small green spaces, built with purpose, can anchor a neighborhood and bring people together.