Stearns Quarry

Located five miles from downtown in the blue collar neighborhood of Bridgeport resides 400 million years of ancient ruins in the form of the Stearns Quarry. Originally a working quarry, last spring the Chicago Parks District beautified the old limestone mine and altered it into a stunning park.

In 1833, rocks and minerals were extracted from the fully functional open pit, but when the quarry closed in 1969, the city began dumping construction debris into the gaping hole. After a five-year rejuvenation process, Stearns Quarry might be the most secluded and bucolic spot in the city. A fountain at the entrance of the park spits out water that trickles through the wetland terraces.

Following an eco-friendly and sustainable model, water flows over concrete waterfall structures made from recycled material and ends up in a static pond at the bottom of the park. Walkways lead down toward a platform stationed on the pond where people can fish for catfish and bass. Tall trees and the remainder of the old limestone wall surround the preserved area and protect the pond and its inhabitants.

Climbing up a 33-foot mound offers a picturesque view of the city’s skyline from afar. In the winter, the mound is used as a sledding hill. Wild flowers, newly planted trees, boulders and brush exude an untamed beauty as bicyclists and joggers take advantage of the concrete pathways and hiking trails over the expansive 27 acres.

Since 400 million years ago the quarry was a coral reef, fossils dating back millions of years sometimes are escavated from the pond and other parts of the park. Escape the city to this natural reserve while at the same time learning about its extensive history.

HelloChicago Tip: Download informative audio tour mp3s from the Stearns Quarry website.

- by Garin Pirnia, Chicago Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Garin Pirnia

Garin was raised on a healthy diet of MTV and Top 40 radio in the suburbs of Dayton, Ohio, but one day found herself going to college in Los Angeles. After getting a writing degree, she somehow landed in Chicago. She's written about art, music, food and general interest for The Onion AV Club, Time Out Chicago, Chicago Innerview, The Wall Street Journal and AOL's music site Spinner.com.