Absolutely Mac. Even the largest cities have areas, usually residential, that could easily be mistaken for the country. This is one of the nicer ones I've seen.
Don't know if you've ever been there, but, just south of the University of Chicago Hospital, in the South Side of Chicago, is an area of about six square blocks called the Midway. A very nice park area, set in the middle of what could legitimately be called a slum. Quite safe too, as long as you're there during the day. Incidentally, the reason it's called the Midway is that, in 1897, it actually was the midway for the Chicago World's Fair and was converted to park land after the Fair was over.
I have tried for years to do nature images that hug the line between photography and painting (I'm a frustrated painter) so it's particularly gratifying when someone sees that.
Is that what they call it? I just knew it as the Midway Pleasance, that's what the folks there called it. Less than a mile away, over by the lake, is the Museum of Science and Industry (of that I do have some pictures). We were there for several weeks three years ago and got to know the area a bit.
Very nice, John. The pictures bring back memories. Although we were there in February, when the trees were bare, and it was obvious why they call Chicago the windy city, it didn't take much imagination to see what the parks would look like during the summer. Not only was it cold, but my wife was recovering from surgery so we couldn't walk very far at any one time. We did get around on short walks though, both in the parks and the urban areas around them. The beauty of the parkland didn't surprise me, all cities have such areas and they are all very nice. What did surprise me, since the area, particularly west of Cottage Grove Avenue, has a nasty reputation (we were told not to go there at night); all of the people we met and spoke to, without exception, were among the nicest, kindest folks I've ever met. When they found out that we were visitors to the city, they all went out of their way to make us welcome.
Way!
Absolutely Mac. Even the largest cities have areas, usually residential, that could easily be mistaken for the country. This is one of the nicer ones I've seen.
Don't know if you've ever been there, but, just south of the University of Chicago Hospital, in the South Side of Chicago, is an area of about six square blocks called the Midway. A very nice park area, set in the middle of what could legitimately be called a slum. Quite safe too, as long as you're there during the day. Incidentally, the reason it's called the Midway is that, in 1897, it actually was the midway for the Chicago World's Fair and was converted to park land after the Fair was over.
Are you referring to Grant Park? If so, I've been there.
Thanks John Russel,
I have tried for years to do nature images that hug the line between photography and painting (I'm a frustrated painter) so it's particularly gratifying when someone sees that.
Is that what they call it? I just knew it as the Midway Pleasance, that's what the folks there called it. Less than a mile away, over by the lake, is the Museum of Science and Industry (of that I do have some pictures). We were there for several weeks three years ago and got to know the area a bit.
No way!
:~)
An article to relax by...thanks A Mac.
Good to know that other urban areas that are often maligned, have had the wisdom and foresight to preserve some of what is natural.
My pleasure.
''Way, way, excellent''..
Very nice, John. The pictures bring back memories. Although we were there in February, when the trees were bare, and it was obvious why they call Chicago the windy city, it didn't take much imagination to see what the parks would look like during the summer. Not only was it cold, but my wife was recovering from surgery so we couldn't walk very far at any one time. We did get around on short walks though, both in the parks and the urban areas around them. The beauty of the parkland didn't surprise me, all cities have such areas and they are all very nice. What did surprise me, since the area, particularly west of Cottage Grove Avenue, has a nasty reputation (we were told not to go there at night); all of the people we met and spoke to, without exception, were among the nicest, kindest folks I've ever met. When they found out that we were visitors to the city, they all went out of their way to make us welcome.