Wings Over West Ridge: 'Flight of Butterflies' Sculpture Exhibit Lands at West Ridge Nature Park This Spring
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Rogers Park ·
West Rogers Park nature lovers have a stunning new reason to lace up their walking shoes this season. West Ridge Nature Park — the beloved 21-acre woodland and wetland oasis tucked along the northwestern edge of Rosehill Cemetery at 5801 N. Western Ave. — is hosting the Chicago Park District's 'Flight of Butterflies' outdoor sculpture exhibit, which has migrated from the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and landed at 16 Park District natural areas citywide, including right here in West Ridge.
The exhibit transforms the park's already breathtaking landscape of native flora, boardwalks, elevated overlooks, and a 4.5-acre pond into an open-air gallery celebrating one of nature's most iconic pollinators. For a neighborhood park that already draws volunteer stewards every week to plant native species, monitor birds, and remove invasive plants, the arrival of public art feels like a natural next chapter. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, free to all, and is fully accessible via paved paths and boardwalks.
With Memorial Day weekend now behind us and summer warmth finally settling over the Far North Side, there's never been a better time to wander West Ridge Nature Park's restored woodland and savanna habitats. Bring the kids, bring a picnic blanket, and take in the butterflies — real and sculpted alike. Visit westridgenaturepreserve.org or the Chicago Park District's community stewardship page to learn about volunteer days and upcoming programming at this neighborhood gem.
Sources:
1. https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/west-ridge-nature-park
2. https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/west-ridge-natural-area