## Sherman Lagoon

### Berms and bridges

Chicago Historical Society

John B. Sherman (1825-1902) was the founder of Chicago's Union Stock Yards.

Welcome to Sherman Lagoon.

This beautiful lagoon has a secluded feeling created by low hills, or berms, that shield it from the streets. Tall mature trees, thick grasses and shrubs cover the shores of the waterway and give a layered look to the landscape. Arched bridges lead to the central island with ball fields.

Brook Collins / Chicago Park District

Sherman was the first among 10 parks created in the early 1900s to provide "breathing spaces," recreation and social services for densely populated South Side neighborhoods in Chicago.

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Bur Marigold

The Olmsted Brothers, nationally renowned landscape architects, transformed a naturally low, wet site into a meandering lagoon with grassy islands while architects Daniel H. Burnham and Company designed a new kind of building - the fieldhouse - along with a gym and locker buildings, located at the north end of the park. Some of the trellis-like structures known as pergolas that connect the buildings have been reconstructed.

Chicago Park District Special Collections

Historic photo of pergola

## Visitor Guidelines

Please show respect for the animals and plants of the area by observing the following guidelines.

1. Keep dogs leashed and out of the water. Birds and many other small animals live here.

2. Do not pick flowers or remove any other natural elements.

3. Put trash in bins provided.

4. Please do not feed the wildlife.

5. No swimming allowed. Keep off the ice in winter.

CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT

Signs sponsored by

ComEd
A Enron Company