The South Pond in Chicago's Lincoln Park, also called the Nature Boardwalk, is a 12-acre natural area located south of Lincoln Park Zoo, north of North Avenue between Stockton and Cannon Drives, that is surrounded by native prairies and wetland plants. It is an ecological habitat buzzing with life, home to 200 species, a crucial connective habitat for resident and migratory animal populations, including ducks, geese and seagulls. Built in 1908, South Pond reflected the Victorians' romantic and recreational concept of nature in the city. Today, the area surrounding the South Pond is landscaped with tall grass, elm and maple trees with benches along a paved path that circles the pond. There are two islands at the south end, a gathering place for turtles. An enormous equestrian statue of Ulysses S. Grant overlooks the pond on the east side. There is a pavilion made of prefabricated wood ribs and fiberglass, a shelter for classes and events. And there is Cafe Brauer, a 1900 landmark building that features a seasonal patio restaurant. For 41 years, my wife and I have lived in the neighborhood. Weather permitted, especially in the spring and summer, we take daily walks through Lincoln Park, stopping along the way at South Pond, to relax and take in the amazing view of Chicago's skyline from the Lester Fisher Bridge, which spans the pond near the petting zoo and the start of the boardwalk. From this view, it is indeed The City in a Garden.

Located at the southern end of one of Chicago's premier green spaces, Lincoln Park, South Pond offers a scenic and peaceful area to stroll and enjoy nature in an urban setting. The Nature Boardwalk circles the pond and the bridge over South Pond provides a wonderful view of the Hancock Tower and Chicago Skyline across the water. Nearby is the historic Ulysses S Grant Monument.

Every day, weather permitting, I take a long walk through Lincoln Park. Past the Chicago History Museum and the Abraham Lincoln statue, past the Benjamin Franklin statue, along the promenade to the South Pond, then through the Lincoln Park Zoo and back to the General Grant statue that overlooks Lake Michigan to the east and the South Pond to the west. I always take a long pause at that point to take in the view. The South Pond is a 12-acre natural area south of the zoo, surrounded by native prairie and wetland plants. When the pond was built in 1908, it reflected the Victorians' romantic and recreational concept of nature in the city. Today, the pond offers benefits that extend beyond visual spectacle. It has become a crucial, connective habitat for resident and migratory animal populations, a popular outdoor destination and leaning landscape for city residents and visitors alike. Open from 10 to 5 Monday through Friday and 10 to 6:30 on Saturday and Sunday, the property also includes a Nature Boardwalk that was completed in 2010, a pavilion that provides shelter for open-air classes, programs and events on site and the Cafe Brauer, a restaurant and ice cream shop. Nature Boardwalk, which circles the pond, transforms a picturesque yet unsustainable urban pond from the 19th century into an ecological habitat buzzing with life. Once a mad-made pond, Nature Boardwalk is now a lush, natural, prairie-style garden filled with native plants and brimming with birds, frogs, fish, turtles, insects, dragonflies and other wildlife, even coyotes. From the bridge that spans the pond at the north end, near Cafe Brauer and the southern entrance to the zoo, you can get a postcard picture view of Chicago's skyline. The Chicago Park District once operated paddle boats on the pond. No longer.

Visiting Lincoln Park, we also stopped at South Pond there -- a 5-acre, modest-looking, pretty pond originally designed in 1835 by Swain Nelson -- a Swedish born American landscape architect. In 2009, the pond has been restored and became an ecological habitat for wildlife: ducks, geese, seagulls, frogs, fish, turtles.An important part of the South Pond site is the Nature Boardwalk, that loops around the pond, and has access points, info boards, benches, observation platforms, and also paved paths, that run around the perimeter of the pond. Besides being open to some nice scenic views around, the boardwalk also serves as an educational site to learn about nature and the city.Since we visited the site in winter, there were not many birds there, other than two strong, imposing Canada Geese, swimming in the pond, and sometimes curiously casting a cautious glance at the visitors.South Pond is located in the area of Lincoln Park Zoo, and is nicely landscaped with grass, elms, maples and other big trees around the pond. There are wetland plants, verge and prairie plants, making the pond area even more beautiful in summer, I'm sure.The views of the city skyline from the pond area are very attractive, too, and parking is available in the zoo lot, or at North Ave and Stockton Drive. There's also public transportation to get to the area. Lovely, peaceful place.

The South Pond was created in 1908 in the centre of Lincoln Park. Today it is a watershed with active birdlife. It is also a habitat for fish, frogs and turtles and is circled by a boardwalk, allowing visitors to conveniently walk its shores with minimal disturbance of nature. The boardwalk is technically part of the Chicago Zoo which can be accessed just north of the South Pond. Along the walk you will find viewpoints, a peculiar People's Gas Pavilion and places to stop and look over the South Pond to enjoy nature going about its daily life in the heart of one of America's largest and busiest cities. It is a nice park feature and one of the places I enjoyed most while visiting the Park recently.