history of mahoney park

In the early 1930s, the village of Kenilworth accepted a four-acre parcel of land graciously gifted by Mary Mahoney. It was part of an original 38-acre homestead along Lake Michigan belonging to her family and that had been farmed since the mid 19th century. Located where Sheridan Road meets Tenth Street in Wilmette, it is a “green gateway” into the village. From beginning to end, Mahoney Park was born of collaborative efforts. The scale of the initiative was far too large for just local funds, so the Village partially financed the clearing and construction of the Park through the federal Civil Works Administration established during the Great Depression. An eclectic group of citizens from the Garden Clubs, Joseph Sears School, Kenilworth Club, Kenilworth Historical Society, village and park boards formed the Mahoney Park Advisory Committee for direction. In August 1933, the Kenilworth Home and Garden Club hired the Danish-American landscape architect Jens Jensen to develop a plan

Local limestone was used for seven “council rings” as places for gathering and performance. They allude to the native Indian past of our prairie and the “democratic spirit” of equitable problem solving in a group. A small pond and birdbath were added to attract local and migrating birds that might use the lakeshore for navigation; they provide a setting for visitors to meet and observe nature’s spectacle. Look year round for resident birds: cardinals, blue jays, finches, hawks and owls. In warmer weather, robins, orioles and all types of migrating species abound by the water features.

Tall forest trees are oak, maple, hackberry, ironwood, and a few elms that encircle the Park’s two central meadows, separated by Sheridan Road. A pedestrian path meanders under this upper story creating dappled light where a low canopy of trees with strong horizontal branches mimics the flat “prairie” horizon. Hawthorn, crab apple, cherry, and plum trees provide plenty of food and protection for the birds. Jensen often used these trees to “frame” entrances into meadows he created. Witchhazel, staghorn sumac, serviceberry, and viburnums are planted in thickets providing seasonal interest and wildlife sustenance. A vast mature cottonwood dominates the west meadow.

Prolific native spring ephemerals such as: Jack-in-the pulpit, trillium, and Virginia bluebells are the first to emerge. They linger until the tree canopy above them matures in late spring changing the light. They disappear when summer brings another great collection of pollinators such as swallowtail and monarch butterflies, moths, beetles, bees, and flies to the golden rod, cone flowers, native grasses and common butterfly weed. A circle of life story continues: Monarchs find their way in late summer and early fall to this native plant. The Monarch lays its eggs on this “host” plant, and baby caterpillars emerge to eat the leaves, uniquely sustaining the next generation of monarch butterflies for the future. “Man’s hand had disappeared. Only his soul remained and as it should be, in harmony with the hand of nature.” Jens Jensen