Oak Park is a village with a population of 51,878, according to the 2010 census. The village, which was settled in the 1830s, is known for being the home of Frank Lloyd Wright. Make sure to enjoy everything that there is to do when you are in Oak Park, Illinois.
Oak Park History
Joseph Kettlestrings, an England immigrant, bought 172 acres west of Chicago in 1835 to farm. Within the next 20 years, more and more farmers began to settle in the area, now known as Oak Ridge. Soon after, the residents of the town gained their own post office. However, it could not be called Oak Ridge as there was already a post office using that same name in Illinois. The post office decided on the name Oak Park.
The Galena and Chicago Union Railroads were constructed in 1850 and passed through the town. During the 1870s the town saw a major increase in population due to people resettling after the Great Chicago Fire. As streetcars became more mainstream and the town received its own railroad depot, Oak Park became a more residential suburb. By 1877 the railroad saw 39 trains running between Chicago and Oak Park. The population of the town expanded even more, from 500 people in 1872 to about 1,812 people by 1890. In 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, a famous architect, settled here with his wife. By the 1940s, more than 66,000 people lived in the town. Today, three historic districts represent the historic homes; Seward Gundeson, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Ridgeland.
Oak Park Amenities
Bicycle-Friendly
Residents and visitors of Oak Park can enjoy the beautiful landscape as they cycle through the town. Oak Park is known for being a very bicycle-friendly village, offering many cycle clubs and groups. The streets of the community are lined with beautiful trees, making it attractive to cyclists who enjoy riding in nature. There are also bicycle lanes throughout the main streets of the town, and Oak Park is close to a lot of bicycle trails in nearby communities.
Public Library
The Oak Park Public Library was founded in 1903 and continues to be a major part of the town. The main campus of the library can be found on Oak Park Avenue, overlooking Scoville Park. There are also two other branches of the library, the Maze Branch and the Dole Branch. Altogether, the three branches offer visitors access to almost eight million items.
Oak Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden
The conservatory and botanical garden are both free for the public to enjoy. The conservatory is home to dozens of plants, such as Australian tree ferns, orchids, begonias, and sea grapes. There are three cactus groups and a rainforest collection. The conservatory provides around 20,000 bedding plants every year for the town, which are planted in the public parks and other areas throughout Oak Park.
Grass Types That Grow Well in Oak Park
Homeowners will want to plant the best type of grass if they want their lawns looking lovely. One of the most popular types for Oak Park is Kentucky bluegrass, a hardy grass that grows well in full sun. While this grass type will require a higher level of maintenance than others, it produces high-quality grass that looks beautiful.
Fine fescues are another type of grass that is better suited for homeowners without a lot of time for lawn care. Fine fescues come in different varieties, such as sheep fescue, hard fescue, and chewings fescue. These types grow well in the shade and will not require a lot of care. They will not grow as well if they are in full sun and mowed frequently.
Perennial ryegrass is a grass that establishes quickly and offers excellent wear tolerance. Homeowners may need to pay a little more attention to this grass type to keep it looking healthy. It is a cool-season grass type that can tolerate cooler temperatures better than others.
Lawn Care in Oak Park
Not everyone has the time to take care of their lawns. This is especially true in Oak Park where there is plenty to do and see. If you are looking for help with your lawn, whether it is mowing services, weeding, garden care, or gutter cleaning, Lawn Love can help. Our new system allows you to quickly set up the day and time that you want lawn care right from our website. Don't miss out on all of the fun that Oak Park has to offer, get a free quote today, and leave the lawn care to the professionals.
