Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens Walking Self-Guided Tour

This peaceful urban oasis honors the remarkable contributions women have made throughout Chicago’s history while offering beautiful gardens, public art, and connections to some of the city’s most significant historic landmarks. The park features landscaped gardens, an ornamental fountain, a community garden, and the internationally acclaimed “Helping Hands” sculpture honoring a social reformer, suffragist, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams (1860–1935), created by French artist Louise Bourgeois (1911–2010).

Along the walk, attendees are encouraged to explore the park’s exhibit celebrating many of Chicago’s influential women. The Chicago Park District has also created an excellent brochure, celebrating significant Chicago women, highlighting many of these remarkable individuals.

Participants will also have the opportunity to view the exterior of two historic landmarks located adjacent to the park: the Clarke-Ford House Museum, Chicago’s oldest surviving house (built in 1836), and the Glessner House (built 1887), both located within the Prairie Avenue Historic District. These options may require a cost for admission.

At 12:00 pm, Participants can also join us for lunch at The Spoke & Bird. Each participant will need to cover the cost of their own meal.

There are two locations for The Spoke & Bird. CBE is meeting at the following location: 205 E 18th Street, Chicago, Illinois.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens.

For your convenience:

• Public transportation directions are available through the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trip planner.
• Parking is available along the streets in the surrounding area.
• CBE will not provide transportation, organize carpools, or assign drivers for this optional activity.

Walking Self-Guided Tour Information

• Location: Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens (1801 S. Indiana Avenue, Chicago, Illinois)
• Approximate walking distance: 1–2 miles
• Estimated duration: Approximately 1½ hours

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing and to bring water as needed.

Other Important Information

This walking tour is an optional, voluntary fellowship activity offered in connection with CBE’s 2026 Chicago Conference.

By choosing to participate, you acknowledge that:

• Participation is entirely voluntary.
• You are responsible for determining whether the activity is appropriate for you.
• You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the park.
• You are responsible for the cost of your own meal.
• CBE will not provide transportation, organize carpools, or assign drivers.
• CBE staff will be present to assist with organizing the group and answering general questions, but staff are not serving as tour guides and cannot assume responsibility for supervising participants or ensuring participant safety.
• Participants attend and participate at their own discretion and are responsible for exercising appropriate care during the activity.

We hope you’ll join us for this opportunity to enjoy fellowship while exploring one of Chicago’s most beautiful parks and learning about the women whose contributions helped shape the city’s history.