#friendsoftheriver

This past Wednesday the 21st, c|change had the privilege to spend an afternoon volunteering with Friends of the Chicago River at the Riverbank Neighbors’ McBride Prairie in the North Center neighborhood.

Garden gloves: Who wore them better? Erin, Cassie, Teagan, and Ashley hard at work.

Looking at the riverbank prairie now, it’s hard to believe that 20 years ago it was nothing more than an overgrown garbage heap. Since then, the neighborhood has transformed it into a living swath of indigenous prairie along the riverbank -- and a beautiful public space with trails, great views of the river and Horner Park, and the occasional “fairy house” sighting, if you know where to look.

We found a few fairy houses, but no fairies at home. They must all be nine-to-fivers.

It was a little drizzly, but we were still able to put down new mulch along the trails and saw down a few eight-foot clumps of elderberry trees taking over the parking area.

Jacqueline and Carla making that trail 100. 

All that’s left of the unfortunate elderberry tree that got in Mark’s way.

We even made a new friend!

This snake was so internet-famous after all these pictures went up we heard he already has a book deal.

And, of course, we took advantage of the opportunity to test out our 360 camera.