Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory

TET (Toddler Exploration Time): 2023/2024
2024-02-23 09:30 - 11:15, 2024-03-15 09:30 - 11:15 (America/Chicago) | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Young learners (18 months – 5 years) will be delighted with stories, lessons, and crafts led by FOPCON’s education docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Each month is a different topic. Advanced registration for 9:30-10:15 or 10:30-11:15 is required. Limited to 30 children and their caregivers. FREE.
Themes:
Friday, September 22, 2023. Fall Fun. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, October 20, 2023. Creepy Crawlies. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, November 17, 2023. Who’s Eating Whooo? Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, January 19, 2024. BRRR! Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, February 23, 2024. In the Desert. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.
Friday, March 15, 2024. Whoosh. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.

2024 Learn and Grow Lectures
2024-04-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory gardening experts will help you prepare for the growing season and highlight plants available at our 35th Annual Plant Sale. Come learn with us — programs are for all gardening levels. Registration is required for these free virtual programs. A Zoom link will be sent to participants in advance.
April 3, 7-8pm -Preparing for the Growing Season
You’re ready to get back into the garden, but there’s a lot to do besides deciding which plants you’re interested in. Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory to find out how to prepare your soil, tools, pots, and compost to get the most out of the upcoming season. Register HERE.
April 10, 7-8pm – Container Gardening
How do others make their containers of annuals look so great? Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory for tips on how to match up plants with complementary colors, textures, and heights to design a container you’ll be proud of. Plants from the Annual Plant Sale will be showcased. Director of Horticulture Patti Staley is our presenter. Register HERE.
April 17, 7-8pm – Pest Management for Veggies
Even the most experienced gardeners might have pests on their tomatoes or peppers. Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory to learn about the most common pests: how to identify them and the pros and cons of various ways to manage them including pesticide-free approaches. Register HERE.

2024 KidsFest
2024-04-21 10:00 - 12:30 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Enjoy Earth Day at the Conservatory! Join us for KidsFest, the popular family event sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory.
Celebrate the wonders of our planet with activities presented by our partners from Trailside Museum, the University of IL Extension, Brookfield Zoo, and the Oak Park Public Library. Encounter live bats from the Flying Fox Conservation Fund.
Tickets are required for this free event.
10 am: Register HERE
10:30 am: Register HERE
11 am: Register HERE
11:30 am: Register HERE
Noon: Register HERE

Spring Plant and Tool Exchange & Plastic Pot Recycling
2024-05-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Plant swap at the Conservatory! Join other gardeners and share your favorite plants and extra tools at the annual spring exchange. Please bring at least one healthy plant from your garden or a house plant to participate in the swap. Be sure to label your plants. You can bring as many as you like!
Help keep plastic pots out of our landfills – save your garden plastic pots from the Annual Plant Sale and return them for reuse. Our volunteers will collect your empty pots that can be reused for next year’s sale and kept out of landfills. Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory.

Drop off: 9:30-10:30 AM
Pick up: 11:00-11:30 AM

Register HERE for this FREE event.

Story Time at the Conservatory
2024-05-22 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-05-29 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-06-05 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-06-12 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-06-19 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-06-26 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-07-03 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-07-10 10:00 - 10:30 and 8 more dates | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Every Wednesday enjoy stories, songs, and puppets led by our volunteer docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Enjoy story time in the garden during the summer months.
NEW: Bilingual Story Time on the first Wednesday of each month.

This program is presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory. Free with a suggested $5 donation at the door.

Discovery Garden Exploration Time Thursdays
2024-06-06 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-08-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-08-22 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-08-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Come explore Summer and the gardens at the Oak Park Conservatory. Hands-on activities are led by garden volunteers outside in our Discovery Garden. Learn about native Illinois Ecosystems and have fun playing in the garden. FREE. No registration required. Will not run during inclement weather.
Topics:
June: Butterflies and Bugs
July: Water Works
August: Fossil Fun

30th Annual Garden Walk: Sunday, June 23 10:00 - 4:00
2024-06-23 10:00 - 16:00
Join Us for the 30th annual Garden Walk in Oak Park and River Forest. Enjoy an exciting self-guided tour featuring unique private and public gardens. The walk will take place rain or shine. Advance tickets are available at gcoprf.org until 5:00 PM on June 22.
Members of FOPCON and GCOPRF are eligible for discounted tickets until 5:00 pm on June 22. FOPCON members should email director@fopcon.org to receive the code. Children 12 and under are free. Participants must provide their own transportation.
Online purchases will end at 5:00 pm on June 22. All tickets are $23 on the day of the event (cash, credit, debit or check). On Sunday, June 23 you may purchase tickets in person at the Oak Park Conservatory or the Cheney Mansion from 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
This is a joint venture of the Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest (GCOPRF) and the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON) and benefits the missions of both groups.

Uncorked June 2024
2024-06-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
This year’s Uncorked planning committee has been busy pulling together a great summer lineup for our community. Lots of new musicians, artisans, and food, plus some of our favorites from the past. This is the best time to enjoy an evening of music and drinks with friends outdoors at the Oak Park Conservatory. Join us in the Rubinstein Garden under the night sky from 6:00-8:00PM. Admission includes two drink tickets and an appetizer. Ages 21+
Tickets are $20. Please register in advance online at pdop.org to reserve your spot. FOPCON members receive a 10% discount. Contact director@fopcon.org for a discount code prior to registering.
June 28: Register HERE.
Music by Tim Coan. Local artisan: Olive and Well. Food by Happy Apple Pie Shop.
July 26: Register HERE.
Music by Szurko Trio. Local artisan: River Forest Chocolates. Food by Kribi Coffee/Buzz Cafe.
August 23: Register HERE.
Music by Tom Lowery Trio. Local artisan: Todd and Holland Tea. Food by Empanadus.
September 27: Register HERE.
Music by Victoria Storm. Local artisan: Bead In Hand. Food by Trattoria 225.

Uncorked July 2024
2024-07-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
This year’s Uncorked planning committee has been busy pulling together a great summer lineup for our community. Lots of new musicians, artisans, and food, plus some of our favorites from the past. This is the best time to enjoy an evening of music and drinks with friends outdoors at the Oak Park Conservatory. Join us in the Rubinstein Garden under the night sky from 6:00-8:00PM. Admission includes two drink tickets and an appetizer. Ages 21+
Tickets are $20. Please register in advance online at pdop.org to reserve your spot. FOPCON members receive a 10% discount. Contact director@fopcon.org for a discount code prior to registering.
July 26: Register HERE.
Music by Szurko Trio. Local artisan: River Forest Chocolates. Food by Kribi Coffee/Buzz Cafe.
August 23: Register HERE.
Music by Tom Lowery Trio. Local artisan: Todd and Holland Tea. Food by Empanadus.
September 27: Register HERE.
Music by Victoria Storm. Local artisan: Bead In Hand. Food by Trattoria 225.

Lecture: How to Plant Bulbs for Spring Blooms
2024-08-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Thursday, Aug 22
7:00-8:00P
Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory to learn about the basics of planting fall bulbs for spring blooms at this free, virtual event. Participants will learn when and how to plant bulbs, how to select bulbs for your garden, and how many you need for a full effect. Ask your questions on growing bulbs and how to get started. A Zoom link will be sent out to participants on the day of the lecture.
Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON)
This is a FREE, virtual event. A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the lecture.
Register HERE.

Uncorked August 2024
2024-08-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
This year’s Uncorked planning committee has been busy pulling together a great summer lineup for our community. Lots of new musicians, artisans, and food, plus some of our favorites from the past. This is the best time to enjoy an evening of music and drinks with friends outdoors at the Oak Park Conservatory. Join us in the Rubinstein Garden under the night sky from 6:00-8:00PM. Admission includes two drink tickets and an appetizer. Ages 21+
Tickets are $20. Please register in advance online at pdop.org to reserve your spot. FOPCON members receive a 10% discount. Contact director@fopcon.org for a discount code prior to registering.
August 23: Register HERE.
Music by Tom Lowery Trio. Local artisan: Todd and Holland Tea. Food by Empanadus.
September 27: Register HERE.
Music by Victoria Storm. Local artisan: Bead In Hand. Food by Trattoria 225.
