Mr. Wicker returns just in time for Chicago Park tours on Sunday

He is back (the Mr. Wicker sculpture) and just in time for the Sun., June 12,  What's Out There Weekend's West Parks Tours which includes Wicker Park. Hosted by The Cultural Landscape Foundation in partnership with the Chicago Park District, the event begins on June 11 and includes many different sites during the two days.

There will be free trolley service between six sites during the West Parks Tour on June 12. The stops are Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen, every thirty minutes between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with tour guides Elaine Coorens, Anne Sheridan Pullos, Richard Tilley and Doug Wood. Every hour during the same hours at Logan Square and the Boulevard, 2579 N. Milwaukee Ave., where Ward Miller will serve as tour guide.

During noon and 3 p.m., every thirty minutes, the tours at Humboldt Park Boat House, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave., will be given by Julia Bachrach, John Paige, Dina Petrakis and Tina Winther. At Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., guides will also be available every thirty minutes between noon and 3 p.m.

 

Thirty minute tours will be conducted between 1 and 4 p.m. at Douglas Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr., where Julie Gilbert, AnnaMaria Leon and Blanche Suggs-Killingsworth will be the guides and Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Ave., with guides Janine Fron, Peter Osler, Stephanie Waszak and Henry Wykowski.

The Wicker statue was installed on Wednesday to the delight of many of his local friends who stopped by to say "hello" or just smile. Its absence since the end of August 2009 was due to vandalism. Close to 400 pounds, the bronze statue's repair cost was $16,000. For more details see Jeff Huebner's  previous story.